Egads! You know I'm late when I have to head slap myself to remember just to take out the trash on Thursdays. So I am waaaayyy late for this Blog Chain. The awesome Eric starts this round's topic:
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a writer? What is your greatest reward from writing?
I think the most challenging part of being a writer involves getting other people to believe that writing can be a job, a career, a lifestyle that a person can enjoy without punching that daily time clock. Too many people believe that being a writer is a hobby - like coin collecting.
A person can be a writer and make it into a job without having to leave the house or work in an office.
A person can be a writer without having to always explain themselves that a person CAN make money from writing.
I guess the most challenging aspect of being a writer is the general attitude some people will show, the disdain when you tell them you are a writer. They may show the general tinges of interest in the beginning. Yet the moment they find out you don't have a book out or aren't part of a news corporation as a journalist, they scrunch their noses in the universal look of disregard as if saying, "What's the point with writing if you aren't published?"
Okay, I think I've ranted enough with the first part of Eric's question. Let's move on to the second part. What do I find the most rewarding part of being a writer?
I think the reward is seeing my writing on the screen. To read it and say to myself, "I did that. It's my words, my thoughts, my style and voice and opinion. I crafted that scene, that paragraph. I molded the characters the way I wanted them to be.
Truthfully, it's an ego trip. I guess dealing with the negative attitude of people who don't understand what it means to be a writer, I need that boost to my ego to let me know that it is all right to be a writer. This is the greatest reward I could ever imagine.
Go visit our chain starter Eric and read his answer and please visit the wonderful Kat for her answer.
The flip side is that once you sell a book, people assume every writer gets advances like J.K. Rowling. Ah, if only that were true.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. Even now when I tell people I'm a writer and they ask where they can buy my book and I have to tell them, "You can't until 2012." I get that look.
ReplyDeleteWay to own it, Michelle. :)
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never! This was a great answer! Well worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, distain is a tough thing to confront. But looking over something you've created IS satisfying.
Great answer, Michelle! I do get the eyeroll on occasion when people find out that I'm a writer. It's hard to find people who aren't writers and still take you seriously. But I think they just don't know the joy and pride of putting their words onto a page. It's a very satisfying feeling.
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never, Michelle. And this is such a good response. I agree with you that it's an ego trip, but what the heck - we deserve one every now and then, particularly because of how often our ego takes a beating. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the look. If you tell people you play guitar, they don't immediately ask where they can buy your CD. I think most people generally think writing and publishing a book is easy and that anyone can do it. They don't understand the millions of words you have to write to get good and that even good writers don't always make it.
ReplyDeletePlus, why should being published be the goal? Why can't you write for writing's sake and have that be enough? I think the fun thing to do is turn it around on people. When they give you that look, find something of theirs...a tennis racquet maybe...and ask when they're playing Wimbledon. Then give THEM the look when they say never.
I agree, sometimes the non-writers just don't get it. Although I have to admit that sometimes it's myself I have to kick and remind that this is not just and hobby and I need to treat it that way.
ReplyDeleteI like this! So true on some people reactions...and the ego stuff.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, so true. I just hate those "oh, that's nice" responses. It really irks me because I have a NF book being published and people are always so excited that I'm a published author...until they found out what I wrote LOL But you're right, regardless of "those" people out there, sometimes there is nothing better than picking up something I read and just loving it every time, knowing it's GOOD. It's an awesome feeling :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Michelle! Great post.
ReplyDeleteSo very, very true!!! It's also wonderful to know that your words touch people's hearts!!! Great thoughts, Michelle!!! Hope things are improving with the stuff you've been dealing with!! Love, Janine XO
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%! A lot of people just don't understand writing. And there is a lot of disdain from people who think it's just a hobby. But the rewards are worth so much more than the sarcastic comments from the people who don't get it. Great post.
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