Are writers narcissistic?

Are writers narcissistic?

It’s something I never seriously considered.

I say, this assumption goes in the same categorical myth that all writers are drunks, druggies, suicidal, depressed, tormented souls, hermits, introverts, catty, bitchy, and numerous other misinformation labels attached to all writers.
I’ve often seen these words in articles all over the Internet since my own work has come out. Maybe they were there along but I just never paid them much attention.

I’m the same person I have always been. I’ve always approached everything in life in the same manner in which I write: Leave no room for failure and if I do fails, then I try again and again until I succeed. That’s the only way I know to accomplish anything in life. If anyone know an easier, free sail, breezy-eazy method… then by all means, please do tell.

Are some writers narcissistic? Sure, some are. But not all of them. Just as there are narcissistic people in every occupation in the world. So yes, they exist in the literary world too. I have seen some occupations seemingly that all they hire are narcissistic people. There are so many clustered together if you enter their agenda you’re tripping over them.
But with writing, that person would be a narcissistic whether they are writing or digging ditches. Their occupation has nothing to do with their personality. Writing has nothing to do with them being full of themselves. They were a narcissistic person before they first laid a pen to a sheet of paper and will continue to be one.

As a matter of fact: What’s duly required to write and produce literary works most truly narcissistic people aren’t going to do it. They consider themselves too far above such drudging labor.

There’s a big difference between having self-confident and narcissism. I don’t think the modern world clearly distinguish the two which may play a huge role in low self-esteem running amok.

I do know a literary work will not survive if the creator doesn’t believe in it. You must be your own very first fan of the work for it to live and come to life. If you don’t like it nor believe in it, then don’t expect anyone else to.

A good writer knows how to persuade a reader to see their POV and how to tug the heartstrings of their readers. I wouldn’t call it narcissism. I call it a skill.

Yes, a whole lot of self-confidence is needed to create. You must believe in your work from the very beginning and have the determination to continue, even if no one else likes it. I think this is where the narcissism may enter the minds of others. When the person won’t quit based upon the opinions of others.

Maybe what I am about to say will sound like a narcissistic person. I don’t know. But a writer must keep their mind on that manuscript from start to finish. If not, the script will go so far out into deep space that even Commander Sisko can’t find what the plot nor have a clue where it’s going.

Writing is like driving a car. If you don’t hold it steady on the road. You’re going to wreck.

Now, if you don’t keep the plot straight the critics will say “What is this?” But if you take too much time off to not seems narcissistic then that’s exactly what happens. It goes askew and wreck and makes no sense to not even the author.

Remember to succeed at anything you can’t get bogged down in other’s opinion. The moment you do, then you have already failed.