Writing myths

So You’re Waiting to Be Discovered?

The ultimate pitfall for any writer

The Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog — Are you? (Wiki )

Picture this.

You’re 29. You’ve had a few articles published in local magazines. You’ve done a few writing courses. You’ve come close in a few short story competitions. You’ve written half a novel. You write a witty blog that is read by 100 people. And you’ve had a 10-minute play on the radio. Now you’re just waiting to be discovered!

This was me.

I was living in Exeter (UK) and thought I was the real deal. It was just a matter of time before someone snapped me up. Book deals, writing tours, workshops, all-round writing guru!

I was an idiot.

Or if I want to be kinder to myself, a man suffering from extreme delusions of grandeur. Somewhere I got it into my head that I was the next big thing. Why, I’m not too sure. I had always been a fairly humble sort of guy. If anything, I had always sold myself short. Never professing to be good at anything.

In my early twenties, I had been in bands, but I knew my limitations as a musician. I could play guitar and sing, and when in a band, I was greater than the sum of my parts. But I never professed to be anything other than a young man who liked playing music.