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Monday, November 12, 2007

The Hardest Thing

I think the hardest thing for me to admit to people is that I write. It inevitably leads to questions or doubting looks. Most frequently is What are you writing? Are you published? Do you have a publisher? How does that work? I've denied who I wanted to be since I was a child. I've always wanted to be a writer. Note: My next door neighbor that I adored was an etiquette writer. Regardless I've always thought I had to be something else too. A lot of decisions I've made in life have been because at some point I wanted to write. We are in the position now that I can write. We moved to England with me being a dependent with no job. This is what I want to do with my life. I want to write. I loved being an accountant. It stimulated my intelligence even triggered a little creativity (only in imagining what others could be doing). But I still feel awkward about saying that I'm a writer.

So, here it goes. I'm a writer. I'm a romance writer. I like my happy ever afters. Yes, I have written sex scenes. No you can't read it unless you buy the book. I hope when my revisions are finished that I will be able to find an agent or a publisher. Yes, I hope to make a career out of it. Yes, I know I may make more as a CPA but the time I can spend with my kids and family make up for that difference. Unless you read paranormal romances or are a fellow author, no, you can't read my writing until it's done. Never got asked this one before, but since I'm covering the bases. Good for you that you have a story. No, I don't want your idea. My head's a bit crowded as it is. Here's some paper and a pen, you could write it yourself.

7 comments:

Cynthia said...

Brava!

Saying you're a writer out loud is hard, I know. I think it gets easier. Now if I could just admit, out loud, that I write romance novels without tripping over the words I'd be golden.

How are you coming on the challenges?

Amanda said...

I'm catching up slowly but surely. I don't know how much I'll get done today, but I figure if I do more than the daily word count eventually I'll be able to catch.

BriteLady said...

Must be the season for confessions, eh? BTW, I'm rooting for you. I was afraid to mention the NaNo thing for a while in part b/c of you and Sarahlynn--both of whom have "claimed" writing (more) openly, and didn't want to look like a follower. But then, I have opened and closed Word so many times in the past, I finally decided that if I'm a follower, there are some 100,000 others I'm following, too, so why not :)

I haven't tried a sex scene yet...still deciding whether it would help or hinder my current plotline (so far I'm pretty PG, and this particular story may end up staying there)-don't think I can't, but haven't seen a need to yet. That seems to be a matter of debate on blots lately...to have or not to have (sex)....

Amanda said...

I'll have to lend you my "The Joy of Writing Sex" when I get back. It's really not as fun as it sounds. She takes an indepth view of writing sex into novels as plot device or character development. No tips on describing the good bits. It really gave me an understanding of why sometimes an author opens the door and other times it happens off stage. My characters tend to be a bit randy and race off to bed even though I'm yelling at them that now isn't the time. Nobody listens to me though.

Annie Gray said...

I never really had a hard time telling people that I wished to be a writer. Never really like their reponsed thur. What I have a hard time telling people is that I write romance. One of my good guy friend call romance, sex books. I'm like there is more to the story, he still call them sex books. When one of my friends reponse is to make fun, I wonder what other people will think, like for example people are church....

Krista Heiser said...

I think most writers can identify with this post. I know I certainly can. Especially the part about not wanting to admit that you write because it invariably leads to odd looks or uncomfortable questions.

I'm so glad I've gotten over that. And I'm so glad you have, too.

We don't have to be published to be writers. We just have to put fingers to keyboard (or, if you're the old-fashioned sort, pen to paper).

Amanda said...

Everyone seems interested when you say you're writing a book. Then they ask what it's about and as soon as you say romance their eyes go blank for a moment before saying that's nice. I had someone ask me if I thought I was romantic. Response would be not really, but my characters are. Well, sometimes when they play nice.