Yes. I am a writer. I may not be Stephen King or J.K Rowland but I am a writer and I love it. :D For the most part, most of the people who even know I write are my closest friends and family and a few of the parents at the day care where I work. I don't really like to tell folks outside the writing community simply because their is this sort of pressure to put something out there right away.
For example: One friend who knows I write constantly asks about the novels I'm working on, "are they published, when will you publish it" and so on. Quite frankly, the story is not ready and it is really hard to explain that to them. But I have to say, I am surrounded by kind and supportive people. I usually get warm comments when I tell my close circle that I mostly write children's stories and short fiction. Most ask, "So when will I get to read it?" with a sly grin because they know how shy I am in real (non-cyber) life! :D
So for me, it is more of the pressure of having to perform and produce an awesome book right now to prove I am a writer/author of children's stories than the "Huh, you are a writer, O_o?" response.
So tell me friends, do you ever feel pressured to write and produce books or articles to prove you ARE a writer?
Gotta book giveaway this week for those who comment on this fuzzie post!!! :D Your choice from my book shelf!
9 comments:
Like you, I have kept my writing quiet, because of the reasons you mentioned. Fortunately, I can say I am a writer, because I have been a journalist/PR for 40 yrs. When I talk about writing children's books, I usually say I'm working on manuscripts and learning as much as I can about the rapidly changing business. I may mention it may take years, but I'm having a ball!
Patricia
I was real quiet about my writing at first. In fact, I minimized the window whenever my hubby was around so he wouldn't see. Finally, I had to tell him what I was doing. He didn't have much of a reaction. As I got deeper and deeper into writing, I still kept quiet. It wasn't until I was almost ready to publish my debut that I finally spoke up to family and friends. I knew certain family members will grill me and one aunt has no failed to deliver on that. Ugh!
Like Pat, I downplay it a little. A few teachers at school know now because of my blog and I cringe at the frequency with which I am asked 'so when will you publish?'.
Meanwhile, this journey is great!
I don't talk about being a writer much with people outside of my writing friends so I've never really felt that pressure. We're kind of like a different species with our language and everything. Others just don't understand us completely. ;)
I wrote a post on this myself, and I've been reading everyone else's, and what I keep coming back to is that feeling we all seem to have that we have to prove ourselves. i don't think we should have to prove ourselves. If you write, you're a writer, and you have every right to say so, "Nuff said! :)
It really is so funny how people don't get what 'not ready' means or how indepth the editing process is!
A great reminder for us writers, Susanna!!! I'm going to print that out and stick it on my wall!!! :D
Yes to your question! Always feel that pressure to show proof, prove myself, etc. That's why I'm not quick to offer up any info during a conversation :)
I occasionally have friends and family ask, but I'm lucky in that most of them are genuinely interested in how my stories are going. I love connecting with writing folks, though, because there's a total different level of support and camaraderie!
Post a Comment