Why I Dislike Writing Gurus

The messiah complex is one sick mindscrew and writers with said complex style themselves as writing gurus who want to build their platforms at other writers’ expense.

I know too many writers who are NOT intimidated by the notion they could be a catalyst in another writer’s success. In fact, true writers encourage novice writers.

Too often, self-styled writing gurus are narcissistic, passive-aggressive, insecure, delusional dimwits who live in a world of coffee houses and Bohemian existence, but the quality of their work is laughably pathetic. They are charlatans, but they attract sycophantic followers who will defend them to the death as a poor, tortured soul who needs compassion. Codependent!

Here is what to avoid when dealing with self-impressed, writing messiahs.

Red Flag #1:Paying for Presence

Real writers enjoy being in the presence of writers and nurturing new writers. If your guru makes you pay to be in his presence, his motivation is money, NOT helping you become an author. Spend your money on an alpha reader instead of lining the pockets of someone who has done vanity publishing.

Red Flag #2: I’m Unavailable, But Don’t You Dare Move Without Me!

If your guru wants to you control as a writer, tell the person to go twist in the wind or get some therapy. I prefer saying the former. A real writing coach would never abandon a group he is working with. A real writing coach would never make a group of writers work only when he can be present.

Red Flag #3: Broken Promises

If your guru promises access to all his connections, but tells you you’re not good enough to be introduced, you have a megalomaniac on your hands.

Red Flag #4: Writing Process Clichés

Beginning writers sharing their manuscripts with each other is a zero-times-zero outcome, but it looks powerful and nurturing to those in the writing group.

Red Flag #5: Watch Me Be Cutting Edge

Be wary of gurus who want to amaze you with how cutting edge they are. “I write on my iPhone and publish first drafts on a literary site!” And? Does the writing fall apart when analyzed in Flesch-Kincaid? Big time! People who seek to be cutting edge do so because they want you to believe in their genius in an uncharted environment. Quality does not matter because the field is uncharted, therefore they get away with writing utter crap.

Red Flag #6: My Platform is All About Me

Enough said!