I found this sign on Facebook and found it interesting - not only because people have said every one of these things to me, but because if it's on Facebook then a lot of people must be saying it to a lot of writers everywhere!
I'll be the first to tell you there are a lot of misconceptions about writers. People think it's easy. They think you're slightly nutty for wanting to "do the same thing you did in school - isn't it just like writing papers all the time? Ugh!" They think we should be rich and we must be failures if we aren't raking in millions, when the fact is that historically there have always been extremely few people that made a living solely off writing (The 2010 census revealed less than 200 people that listed writing as their sole source of income in the U.S.). Simply put, people degrade it - that is, until you get published, then it's amazing to how quickly it goes from "your cute little hobby" to "I PERSONALLY KNOW A PUBLISHED WRITER." It's scorn to pride in 0.01 seconds.
The irony isn't lost. But in the spirit of spreading some truth, I'd like to offer responses to the 10 things in this sign:
1. Yes I am. How are your cute little hobbies going? What are they again?
2. It must be. You'd have to ask a retiree or an unemployed person because I still have a day job. What do you think inspires my writing?
3. Oh, it's not difficult. You start at the beginning and keep writing until you get to the end. It's the research you have to do for that whole "suspension of disbelief" thing that gets you.
4. Then go for it, and good luck.
5. They are a real thing, but I don't have one. My degree is actually in psychology.
6. Yes I have. Several times and I just signed a contract to publish another book in late May.
7. Sure, how emotionally resilient are you? Because I'm not merciful to my characters. I was once asked why I never wrote a sequel and I said it's because I put them through so much in one book that they can't take more without risking psychological damage. In fact, the protagonist in my current novel in progress - well, she's not the same person when the book ends (literally).
8. Fantastic! Then you write it, since writing isn't that hard.
9. You should be grateful we are able to limit it to creating works of fiction. I know some people that lie compulsively in the "real world" and trust me, they make messes and create drama that's too strange for fiction. Would you rather have a book or a drama queen in your life every day?
10. Oh your interested? Great! Go to www.amazon.com/author/sherrimoorer to check out more and get a copy to read for yourself. Be sure to leave a review if you like it. Don't do Amazon? No worries - I'm on Barnes & Noble at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sherri-fulmer-moorer?keyword=sherri+fulmer+moorer&store=ebook too.
To this I'll add a #11 that I keep hearing these days:
11. I don't do ebooks. My reply? The whole world's going digital, with or without you. And you could be saving money if you did "do ebooks" because they're cheaper than paperbacks and hardbacks and have a larger selection in many cases. Ereaders pay for themselves quickly for avid readers - and if you don't have one, you can download the Kindle and Nook apps for your Smartphone or iPad for free and still read ebooks that way. I have an entire library on my iPhone.
There are stereotypes everywhere and I don't think any of us escape them - but somehow, it seems more presonal when it comes to things related to creativity and art, because that comes from the soul. I'm sure that others in the arts - be it performing or visual, or entertainment - find similar misconceptions that seem to degrade the talent and gifts within them. We may feel alone but we really aren't, and thanks to the Internet and social media, we can connect with others that share our goals, dreams, and aspirations better than ever before.
And for that, I say thank God for technology.
That's all today. Take care all and stay safe in your Independence Day festivities and celebrations tomorrow. Don't forget that fireworks scare animals and it's still very hot outside, so please be sure to keep pets inside and safe tomorrow.
Bye!
I'll be the first to tell you there are a lot of misconceptions about writers. People think it's easy. They think you're slightly nutty for wanting to "do the same thing you did in school - isn't it just like writing papers all the time? Ugh!" They think we should be rich and we must be failures if we aren't raking in millions, when the fact is that historically there have always been extremely few people that made a living solely off writing (The 2010 census revealed less than 200 people that listed writing as their sole source of income in the U.S.). Simply put, people degrade it - that is, until you get published, then it's amazing to how quickly it goes from "your cute little hobby" to "I PERSONALLY KNOW A PUBLISHED WRITER." It's scorn to pride in 0.01 seconds.
The irony isn't lost. But in the spirit of spreading some truth, I'd like to offer responses to the 10 things in this sign:
1. Yes I am. How are your cute little hobbies going? What are they again?
2. It must be. You'd have to ask a retiree or an unemployed person because I still have a day job. What do you think inspires my writing?
3. Oh, it's not difficult. You start at the beginning and keep writing until you get to the end. It's the research you have to do for that whole "suspension of disbelief" thing that gets you.
4. Then go for it, and good luck.
5. They are a real thing, but I don't have one. My degree is actually in psychology.
6. Yes I have. Several times and I just signed a contract to publish another book in late May.
7. Sure, how emotionally resilient are you? Because I'm not merciful to my characters. I was once asked why I never wrote a sequel and I said it's because I put them through so much in one book that they can't take more without risking psychological damage. In fact, the protagonist in my current novel in progress - well, she's not the same person when the book ends (literally).
8. Fantastic! Then you write it, since writing isn't that hard.
9. You should be grateful we are able to limit it to creating works of fiction. I know some people that lie compulsively in the "real world" and trust me, they make messes and create drama that's too strange for fiction. Would you rather have a book or a drama queen in your life every day?
10. Oh your interested? Great! Go to www.amazon.com/author/sherrimoorer to check out more and get a copy to read for yourself. Be sure to leave a review if you like it. Don't do Amazon? No worries - I'm on Barnes & Noble at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sherri-fulmer-moorer?keyword=sherri+fulmer+moorer&store=ebook too.
To this I'll add a #11 that I keep hearing these days:
11. I don't do ebooks. My reply? The whole world's going digital, with or without you. And you could be saving money if you did "do ebooks" because they're cheaper than paperbacks and hardbacks and have a larger selection in many cases. Ereaders pay for themselves quickly for avid readers - and if you don't have one, you can download the Kindle and Nook apps for your Smartphone or iPad for free and still read ebooks that way. I have an entire library on my iPhone.
There are stereotypes everywhere and I don't think any of us escape them - but somehow, it seems more presonal when it comes to things related to creativity and art, because that comes from the soul. I'm sure that others in the arts - be it performing or visual, or entertainment - find similar misconceptions that seem to degrade the talent and gifts within them. We may feel alone but we really aren't, and thanks to the Internet and social media, we can connect with others that share our goals, dreams, and aspirations better than ever before.
And for that, I say thank God for technology.
That's all today. Take care all and stay safe in your Independence Day festivities and celebrations tomorrow. Don't forget that fireworks scare animals and it's still very hot outside, so please be sure to keep pets inside and safe tomorrow.
Bye!
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