Periodically, a writer tweets something like "does anyone really enjoy writing??" and other writers get upset -- they LOVE writing! And how dare you say you don't! It's contributing to a bad culture of pain being a requirement for art.

Here's the thing -- it can be both.

The tortured writer trope is absolutely harmful. You do not need to be in constant pain to be a writer. At all. In fact, you shouldn't be. So yes, that is bad.

Most writers do love to write. Because you have to love making art to your core to actually do it well...

However... the process of writing can be difficult and painful and make you feel like you hate writing (and yourself and the world and everything). Not everyone feels this way because the world is a rich tapestry...

It's ok to feel like writing is hard and that is hurts sometimes and makes you anxious or worried you don't have the talent to be a writer or like your voice isn't worth hearing or any of a million things.

Because deep downyou love it. You wouldn't feel that push if not.

It is also okay to find writing joyful every time. To find it an escape... to find it the happiest part of your life. That's awesome.

Nearly every single writer feels that during at least part of the process. I promise.

Everyone feels their creative process differently.

I'd encourage all of us to understand that even if someone's process doesn't look like our own -- it's still valid. That someone venting that they "hate" writing is simply venting because creating anything is hard. And that for some people... they feel that challenge as joy.

If you are insecure about your process. If it causes you to question yourself... investigate that. Talk to other writers. Find ways to be more gentle with yourself.

If people complaining about writing bugs you, be generous. Sometimes the vent is just the release valve they need.

(But seriously, the tortured writer thing is harmful bs. You do not need to be in pain to write beautiful things. You deserve comfort and happiness and it helps, not harms, your creativity.)