I'm A Writer
My name is Deb Sanders. I'm a writer.
When I utter those words to a stranger, the response is immediate and predictable. "Really? What do you write? Where can I buy it?"
I elaborate by explaining I'm an aspiring writer in search of a publisher. Their hopeful expression quickly morphs into a wounded mask, as if I've victimized them with a mean spirited prank. "Ohhhhhh...." Disappointment fills the air.
They're disappointed because I'm not "famous". I understand. Who among us doesn't like to name drop once in a while? There's an invisible badge of honor that comes with having spoken to someone who lives in the public eye, often perpetuated by a trickle down process. "My cousin met someone who has this friend with a roommate who met So and So..."
I'm disappointed because this person failed to appreciate the agonizing days, months and years I've spent toiling over four completed manuscripts and multiple short stories. They know nothing about my active participation in RWA, ARWA (Austin chapter), SARA (San Antonio chapter), Kiss of Death, my critique group or the countless hours I've spent in workshops learning skills to improve my craft. The fact that an editor requested a full which led to a request for revisions means nothing because, in the end, it failed to produce a contract. I've written for newspapers, authored corporate newsletters, designed my own graphics and created respectable book trailers. But none of that is relevant because I'm not published. And because I'm not published, I must not be a "real" writer.
Well, I've got news for them. I'm a writer, damn it!
This blog is devoted to unpublished writers who strive for the day when they receive "the call", a prelude to the day when they receive "the contract", and a milestone on the road that leads to "the advance" or "royalty check".
We come from a variey of backgrounds and are motivated by a multitude of reasons. Serious writers pursuing a career. We may be balancing a full time job until we can happily promote our backlist, or struggling to find writing time as a stay at home mom. A few of us might be students juggling studies with the passion of telling a story, or a retiree who draws on a lifetime of experience to create an intricately woven tale.
Whatever brought you to this site...welcome. We'll share information and successes. (I refuse to mention failures because no one "fails" until they stop trying.) We'll discuss various avenues for publication, explore social networking, expand on ways to improve our craft and chat about marketing and self promotion. We may also throw in a few colorful topics just for fun.
Enjoy the camaraderie as we inch our way forward in search of publication. I look forward to chatting with you in the future.
Learn more about me at http://www.author-debsanders.com/.
Visit my other blog at http://debsanders.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/debsanders01
Friend me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/debsanders01
When I utter those words to a stranger, the response is immediate and predictable. "Really? What do you write? Where can I buy it?"
I elaborate by explaining I'm an aspiring writer in search of a publisher. Their hopeful expression quickly morphs into a wounded mask, as if I've victimized them with a mean spirited prank. "Ohhhhhh...." Disappointment fills the air.
They're disappointed because I'm not "famous". I understand. Who among us doesn't like to name drop once in a while? There's an invisible badge of honor that comes with having spoken to someone who lives in the public eye, often perpetuated by a trickle down process. "My cousin met someone who has this friend with a roommate who met So and So..."
I'm disappointed because this person failed to appreciate the agonizing days, months and years I've spent toiling over four completed manuscripts and multiple short stories. They know nothing about my active participation in RWA, ARWA (Austin chapter), SARA (San Antonio chapter), Kiss of Death, my critique group or the countless hours I've spent in workshops learning skills to improve my craft. The fact that an editor requested a full which led to a request for revisions means nothing because, in the end, it failed to produce a contract. I've written for newspapers, authored corporate newsletters, designed my own graphics and created respectable book trailers. But none of that is relevant because I'm not published. And because I'm not published, I must not be a "real" writer.
Well, I've got news for them. I'm a writer, damn it!
This blog is devoted to unpublished writers who strive for the day when they receive "the call", a prelude to the day when they receive "the contract", and a milestone on the road that leads to "the advance" or "royalty check".
We come from a variey of backgrounds and are motivated by a multitude of reasons. Serious writers pursuing a career. We may be balancing a full time job until we can happily promote our backlist, or struggling to find writing time as a stay at home mom. A few of us might be students juggling studies with the passion of telling a story, or a retiree who draws on a lifetime of experience to create an intricately woven tale.
Whatever brought you to this site...welcome. We'll share information and successes. (I refuse to mention failures because no one "fails" until they stop trying.) We'll discuss various avenues for publication, explore social networking, expand on ways to improve our craft and chat about marketing and self promotion. We may also throw in a few colorful topics just for fun.
Enjoy the camaraderie as we inch our way forward in search of publication. I look forward to chatting with you in the future.
Learn more about me at http://www.author-debsanders.com/.
Visit my other blog at http://debsanders.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/debsanders01
Friend me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/debsanders01
12 comments:
Fantastic post, Deb. I swear, if I had to count how many times I've had this experience... it kills me.
And you've hit on exactly what's frustrating about it--that expectations that if you don't have a book on the shelves, you're not a real writer. That's exactly what I hope to dispel, when I tell people I'm a writer. I could let them read all my unpublished manuscripts. :-)
What bugs me the most is that I have a lot of writer friends who work harder than most non-writers I know, because they have full-time jobs and/or families and/or second careers, and they also find the time (somehow) to write in addition to that. I'm amazed!
Anyway, welcome to NKotWB. I'm really looking forward to what we can all do together!! Great post.
Deb, I can relate. I often shy away from telling people I am a writer because of this type of reaction.
Welcome to the bloggunity. I look forward to reading more about your journey and getting to know all the writers on NKotWB better.
Great post, my ARWA sister! I look forward to following your journey!
Great post! I did either a blog post or an article a few years back about how important it is for us to call ourselves writers so we can believe it ourselves. Ultimately it doesn't matter what others think, but it does hurt to get those negative reactions. I've not sold a book yet but I've sold about 35 short stories to the confessions magazines and I proudly tell folks they can buy my work at Books a Million.
Marilyn
Awesome, Deb! I'm all about positivity. Nobody will see us as writers if we don't. I believe in confessing into existence. You are a writer!
Good post, Deb!And good luck with your writing.
Wait until you publish your first book. People will wonder why you still have your day job? I mean, aren't you rich now? LOL I wish... That's the reaction I got.
I had the same experience, but surprisingly, it came from myself. I had finished two mss and wistfully told my son, "Maybe someday I'll be a writer."
He gave me the, are you old or just stupid look, then told me, "Mom you're already a writer. Maybe someday you'll be a published author."
When ever I get frustrated I remember his words of wisdom.
Yes, Deb, you are an author, and someday you'll be a published author.
Jamie Burton
Hi Deb!
You really hit the nail on the head with this post. I've had similar experiences and share in the frustration! I look forward to hanging with you here at NKotWB.
Of course you're a writer. Don't ever think otherwise. Good luck becoming a "published" writer.
Gretchen Rix
Hi Deb...so where can I buy your book? Just kidding...
Glad to be part of this dynamic group.
I loved the looks I got when I told people at work that my stories were going to be published in True Love. You would have thought I said I wrote erotica.
Love your post. It reminds me of something I read recently. A man is lecturing a group of adults and he says, "Raise your hand if you can sing." Only a few hands go up. When the same man makes the same request to a group of children, guess what? They ALL raise their hands!
Of course you're a writer! So am I. And we should never be embarrassed to raise our hands when asked what we do!
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. Its so nice to be surrounded by "like-minded" writers. And on we go...
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