Before I was published, my husband and extended family believed I was "wasting my time" in front of the computer all day. There were better things to do; run errands, do laundry, clean the house . . . Perhaps that is true.
But unless you have the urge to write inside of you, like an itch you cannot scratch, you will never understand what drives a writer to do what they do.
Is a writer truly validated only when they become an "author", with a contract under their belt? Is it silly to jot down notes, thoughts, and ideas when there is no one to publish them?
Many times I would resent my family for not believing in me. All my life, I've wanted to be an author, but instead of being told, "Go for it, you can do anything if you put your mind to it!" I received, "But it's so hard to be published. Why do you even bother?"
Despite the naysayers in my extended family, I have acheived my goal. I must say, that a few of them are shocked. Not because I am a poor writer with a contract, but that I was even able to do it at all. And yet, these are the same people who continuously ask me when I will "really" be published. Apparently, electronic publishing is not "good enough".
Is there no pleasing these people?
Now I know they have my best interests at heart. But do they realize that their words take root inside of a writer's mind and fester there, making them doubt themselves and perhaps decide to give up their passion? No, of course they don't.
It doesn't take much to be supportive in this world. But why are most people pessimists? Sure, it is hard to get published, I'll give you that. But the authors on the bookstore shelves acheived it. What makes them any different than I am?
My husband doesn't read my stories. And I'm glad; I wouldn't want him to. He hates romance with a purple passion. But now that I'm spreading the word about my books, now that I have 13 contracts between three different publishers, now that I know I have books going to print and in bookstores by the end of the year, no longer do I hear that I'm "wasting my time".
Why is that, exactly? Now my family is "proud" of me. Hmm... I'm glad I didn't listen to them. I'm glad I chased my dream.
Don't let anyone squash your dreams. Prove them all wrong. I did. And it feels pretty darn good!
~~Becka
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Comments: 10
Meanwhile, the writing profession (like the acting profession and the artists' profession) is considered the realm of ne'er-do-wells and penniless sorts who are all dream, no common sense. Ironically, it takes a lot of the very Protestant work ethic these doubters support to be successful in the artsy trades they disdain. Go figure.
As for my writing, most people I know say they're willing to read it but only once it's published. Now THERE'S a backhanded compliment if ever I heard one.
A writer is a person who writes,
KR
Sometimes, I think that they do - that they are more-or-less consciously trying to discourage the individual from writing, in the belief that it would be "for the best" for that individual to place their efforts elsewhere.
I enjoyed the article; congratulations on your success thus far.
~~Becka
"masochism
• noun the tendency to derive pleasure from one's own pain or humiliation."
The young violinist was disappointed, of course, and went on to have a successful career selling insurance. Years later he bumped into the Maestro on the street. "Oh, Maestro," the now-aging former violinist said, "I want to thank you. Years ago I played for you, and you told me I lacked the passion to be a great violinist. So now I'm a successful business man." To which the Maestro replied, "Ah, yes, I tell every young violinist who plays for me that they lack the passion. The ones who have the passion don't listen to me."
~~Becka