I don't remember when exactly I started telling people I was a writer. I think it was a slow process of saying it sometimes then getting cold feet other times. I have to say it definitely helped when I got an agent.
These days, I say I'm a writer even though I don't (YET!) have a published novel to my name. I look at it as an opportunity to educate people about how publishing is a very long and difficult process. I'll say things like, "yeah, it's been such a long road. It took me years to learn how to write and revise a good book and years to find the right agent, and I've had two novels go on submission to publishers and not sell. But, here I am, still trying."
Of course, now that I'm interviewing authors for my podcast The Long Road to Publishing (launching in July!), I can also toss out something like, "yeah, I was just interviewing this NYT bestselling author and she was telling me how it took over ten years from when she wrote her first manuscript to when she published her debut novel. It's a long road for just about everyone."
A lot of times, people who aren't in this world have no idea how hard it is and how long things take!
Totally. The whole self publishing thing too. People can’t seem to understand why I don’t want to do that. Very often I find myself just punting on the entire conversation.
Literally just today, someone asked me what I do, I answered "I'm a writer", then she followed up with "what do you write?" and I crumbled like a cookie and stammered something like: "well, newsletters and... books... and stuff." Still working on it (aren't we all?). Great post!
Thanks for the shoutout :-) great newsletter!
Thank you for sharing the newsletter along with all of these other wonderful resources!
I’ve heard a handful of successful writers, like you, say this before. At what exact point did you start calling yourself a writer?
I just feel so silly doing it when, like you said, I know what follow up question is coming. (that I don’t have an answer for)
I don't remember when exactly I started telling people I was a writer. I think it was a slow process of saying it sometimes then getting cold feet other times. I have to say it definitely helped when I got an agent.
These days, I say I'm a writer even though I don't (YET!) have a published novel to my name. I look at it as an opportunity to educate people about how publishing is a very long and difficult process. I'll say things like, "yeah, it's been such a long road. It took me years to learn how to write and revise a good book and years to find the right agent, and I've had two novels go on submission to publishers and not sell. But, here I am, still trying."
Of course, now that I'm interviewing authors for my podcast The Long Road to Publishing (launching in July!), I can also toss out something like, "yeah, I was just interviewing this NYT bestselling author and she was telling me how it took over ten years from when she wrote her first manuscript to when she published her debut novel. It's a long road for just about everyone."
A lot of times, people who aren't in this world have no idea how hard it is and how long things take!
Totally. The whole self publishing thing too. People can’t seem to understand why I don’t want to do that. Very often I find myself just punting on the entire conversation.
Thanks!
Thank you for all these fantastic links and resources! I was just in Old Town Alexandria in April and loved it!
Right on, Eva! Me too. But I'm more a procrastinator than a writer. Sigh....
Literally just today, someone asked me what I do, I answered "I'm a writer", then she followed up with "what do you write?" and I crumbled like a cookie and stammered something like: "well, newsletters and... books... and stuff." Still working on it (aren't we all?). Great post!