Tell me, fellow writers.
Have you had trouble with people not taking seriously your vocation to write?
Do some people you know think writing has an infinitely-flexible schedule, not like real work?
Do you try to avoid discussing your writing with certain people (or most people) because you don't want to see the inevitable dubious reaction?
No names or specifics, of course, but vent if you will. :-) I'll add my response to anything I see in the comments.
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11 comments:
It is a desirable thing that writing has a flexible schedule (although not infinitely flexible), but I find that with a full-time job and writing aspirations, it is difficult for me to call myself a writer at all, despite the fact that I have published some poetry and fiction in national journals. I can't talk about writing, because my next "writing period" is always put off until the teaching holidays. So while I empathize with those who write for a living and are pooh-poohed by others (people pooh-pooh at the idea that college professor is a job, too), I also envy them!--K
This blog entry should stir up some interesting conversations....
My thoughts-
Whenever I'm at a book signing, skeptics will always try to qualify what I've done with, "Have you written anything else?" As if producing one marketable book isn't a mile marker worth discussing. *Sigh. However, when I travel or am introduced to people, I usually identify myself as a writer, mostly because I want to use that as a springboard to discuss spiritual and eternal issues such as, "So, do you attend a local church?" and go from there. I think I've probably missed some sells because I was discussing sin and repentance with a non-buyer, but the mission is people, not my own personal success.
Uh, I think I'm a little off topic now.
Sometimes I am embarrassed when someone knows I'm a writer and asks if I've published anything else YET. I think people think a writer is supposed to be publishing all the time when what we really want to do is write!
Placeholder for when my company leaves town tomorrow afternoon (I've been entertaining a houseguest for a week) and I can respond!
How long do these comments allow you to write, Rosslyn? Can I write an essay in here? Just kidding.
Not really.
I'm known for being a committed professional at work, a dedicated teacher. It's funny, that's the place where I encounter the most resistance...as if my identity can only be one-dimensional.
Recently though, I let my boss, with whom I've worked for many years, read some of my ramblings from my blog. He said..."Well, you can really write!" So it occurred to me that perhaps when I talk about my writing, people assume I'm one who writes journals--not that there's anything wrong with that--and calls myself a writer. They don't know I'm studying the craft and taking steps toward publication.
Oh, and when I divulge that I write novels?? The reactions I get then. Wow. Everyone reads them, apparently, but no one wants to know someone who writes them.
That's why I'm so grateful for my online and personal writing friends. They get me, and I get them. God bless you all, I thank God every time I think of you. :)
It's been my experience that if too many good things happen to one person, than that person is "scamming" or doesn't deserve all those good things. I think people perceive writers as being scammers. "They don't have a real job, they write." (Which is apparently easy.) Because of these observations, I think others are jealous. It takes a lot of courage to be a writer, and they don't have the gumption to do it. Lord knows how much teasing and comments I receive at work because of my writing. Not only do I write "words", but I write "Christian words", which is a little scary. Then add to the mix that I write “Love Stories?” Get out!
Get out, indeed! =) Since I've jumped into writing (after dipping my toe for many years), I have a lot more admiration for the gumption of other writers. (I love funny words like "gumption".)
And as a relative newbie to a commitment to writing, I'm finding it takes courage to even tell people that "God has called me to write." As some of you have alluded to, that's a vague concept to a lot of people, even many Christians. Like you said, Gwen, I'm thankful for writing friends...online and personal. I can always get a fresh boost --or a kick in the pants when I'm lackadaisical. =)
Travis, I can only imagine the trouble you've seen as a man who admits to writing love stories. ;-) Just don't let them get your lunch money!
Yesterday, a new acquaintance found out that I had an inspirational novel under submission and actually told me to keep her posted! She's reading Stephanie Meyers right now, so she may like the star-crossed lovers plot of my novel.
Sometimes I wonder if there is a gang of wannabe writers abducting people and forcing them at gunpoint to read ream after ream of bad work. It's the only explanation for the nervous looks, Gwen!
Hi Rosslyn!
Yes to all your questions. I avoid telling people that I write (I can't call myself a "writer" yet). Especially some of my close family members. The sad reality of the world we live in is that people don't consider you a professional until you're making money. I was surprised by some of the comments here by published writers, though. I thought after you "publish" people "respect" your work. Am I wrong?
Lorena-
I think people are suspicious of talent. Consider what it takes to be brain surgeon. All the schools and residencies that one has to endure before being allowed to conduct actual brain surgery. And then consider that if you have to undergo brain surgery and you have to pick the guy who has only done one successful surgery....
wait a minute. This analogy has nothing to do with being respected as a writer. Please kindly discard this comment before I take time to stop writing it and actually delete it!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
It's hard for it not to feel 'frivolous' - isn't it? If I had an office outside of my house it would be different, I think... but I don't know that I would enjoy that.
I don't tell anyone that I write (except for the published stuff I've done, which is all non-fiction) but my fiction so far is a secret. I think if you tell the wrong person they'll crush the dream before it ever gets off the ground.
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