Check out the others posting on the IWSG at this link... http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html
As a writer I spend a vast amount of my time alone, sharing my thoughts only with my computer. I have a life and some friends that I can talk to occasionally about those things only my computer knows. But I talk about writing, the actual mechanics and work of it, with them less and less. Only a few (and my hubby) have let me know they don’t mind the boring details. I find I tend to discuss that part of the writing life with other writers who don’t look at me like I have two heads when I get off on a tangent. So, thinking of my IWSG post this month, I realize I’ve cut back on sharing what I do with those who ask (perhaps only to be polite, which I do appreciate), and that I’ve started sharing more with my blogger buds. Being on two different blog hops a month provides me with an outlet, or should I say, inlet to others who understand what I do and how it feels.
A friend of mine read the original of this post (which
evidently wasn’t so great) and shared with me a point I hadn't thought of, that
she, and others of my friends, might take offense at how I wrote about not
talking writing with people who are not "writers." I am blessed to have such a friend. That
she would share with me her hurt (even angry!) feelings, because I wasn't clear
on what I meant, and so my words wounded.
Which got me thinking of two things: how to write better
(duh) and why I wrote what I did.
I realized that I have started to resent acquaintances
asking, "How's the writing going?" because it feels like they think
it’s just a hobby of mine, something I do to pass the time. I don't know how to
answer that question (Maybe they don't know how to ask it?). Most folks don't really want any answer but, "fine,"
and I've started feeling protective of myself, so I guess my resentment came
through in that first draft of this post. I have changed it because I
don't feel that way about my FRIENDS. I don't want them to stop asking.
Because to me this isn't a hobby. It's how I
hope someday to make my living. I don't ask a grocer, or a printer or a dentist
"how's business?" usually, especially in a social setting. I don't
know. It just irks when I can't really tell them "how the writing is
going." Which part? What do you mean? Do you really want to know or will a
“fine” do for you? Perhaps it’s because I have yet to make my living doing
this. Perhaps I’m insecure and that makes me resent being reminded that I haven’t
sold a million books. I don’t really know yet. All I do know, is I am thankful to
have friends who call me out when I make a mistake. I don’t want to do that one
ever again.
Am I off the wall about this? Does anyone else
feel protective of their writing space when folks ask a question like that? Anyone
have any great replies that would make answering more fun?
Image from:
jobspapa.com
