“Are you still writing?” “What are you working on?”<\/p>\n
These are two questions I invariably get from people I haven\u2019t seen in a while. My response to the first question typically generates a polite smile. When I answer the second one, the weak smile turns into a blank stare. It seems that the only people who \u201cget\u201d the concept of writing for a living are others who write for a living or dream of doing so.<\/p>\n
When I excitedly tell folks that a publisher just picked up my book on book marketing, they totally lose interest\u2014unless I\u2019m talking to another author. <\/p>\n
Sometimes I wish I wrote fiction because everyone understands fiction-writing. Everyone I meet would be interested in hearing about my upcoming novel. Fiction is more universally accepted than niche nonfiction. Actually, I thought that I would get a different response from people when I told them about my cat stories book. And there were some who seemed to care. <\/p>\n
When I was writing that book and someone would ask, \u201cWhat are you working on?\u201d I\u2019d gleefully say, \u201cI\u2019m writing a book of true cat stories. They are fun, quirky and delightful.\u201d Sometimes folks would say, \u201cOh, I know someone who would just love that book.\u201d Others gave me the familiar blank stare. <\/p>\n
As authors, we know that the audience for our books\u2014no matter the topic\/genre\u2014is not everyone. And we also know that the writers\u2019 life is a mystery to most. Non-writers see us as highly emotional people who write only when inspired. The rest of the time we are waiting for inspiration. Not so! At least not so for those who consider writing as a business, like I do.<\/p>\n
When people ask what magazines my articles have appeared in lately, they hope to hear a familiar title. But, alas, even if I were to start reciting names, there would be no sign of recognition from my non-writer friends and acquaintances. Who, among them have heard of, \u201cPublishing Basics,\u201d \u201cBook Promotion Newsletter,\u201d \u201cWriter\u2019s Journal?\u201d Sigh!<\/p>\n
What they do understand is when I tell them how many books I have produced over the years. Most are aware of maybe one of my books and figure that is my one and only. When I allude to \u201c31 and counting,\u201d they are often blown away. <\/p>\n
How do you represent your writing career to others? How do others respond when you tell them you are writing a book or that your article was accepted by \u201cDishpan Hands Journal,\u201d or \u201cWayward Youth Magazine?\u201d Do you get the blank stares?<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve come to realize that if that person tried to explain to me what they do in their job as property manager or technical advisor or food products supervisor, they would be getting a blank stare from me. It seems that, in order to \u201cget it\u201d you really have to live it\u2014experience it. <\/p>\n
So what\u2019s the point of my post today? Simply that the writing career you have carved out for yourself or the book project you are involved in is probably a valid undertaking and that it doesn\u2019t matter how other people respond when you tell them about it. Most likely, you will get the blank stare because they just don\u2019t understand the concept of your lifestyle or your dream\u2014just as you would have trouble comprehending theirs. So keep on keeping on and enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a> “Are you still writing?” “What are you working on?” These are two questions I invariably get from people I haven\u2019t seen in a while. My response to the first question typically generates a polite smile. When I answer the second one, the weak smile turns into a blank stare. It seems that the only people […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"