The other day I told my therapist that the minute someone refers to my creative work (writing, weaving, playing music etc) as a hobby I think to myself "oh, I guess we can never be friends," because anyone who refers to my life work as a "hobby" in opposition to the work I do to make money, simply doesn't understand anything real. So thank-you.
Really, this whole post resonates hard right now since I've decided to unearth my stalled book project (it's been a year since I worked on it) and try to take myself seriously about the whole thing. I have a secondary book project hovering in the background as well. All the usual suspects have been blocking me (negative self-talk, eldest daughter with aging parents, work/time stress) but even so the ideas are alive and well in me and want to get out onto the page.
Thanks for writing this, it was 100% what I needed to see in my inbox right now. If this was a "hobby" it would be so much easier to walk away from.
This is such an excellent piece, thank you so much for writing it. Your candid expression is exactly what I needed today…and every day. I agree wholeheartedly that I am a writer because I write…but g-damn, it gets tiring to explain that to folks. Maybe I should just say yes, I am, in fact, a big dramatic artiste (because that sounds kinda intriguing too lol)!
Whenever I tell people that I'm a full-time writer, I get an eyebrow raise. You're right. Everyone's next question is: But can you actually make money doing it? The thing is that you can make money doing lots of stuff you wouldn't believe as long as you treat it like a full time job. I get up and I'm at my desk at 9am everyday. I take my fiction writing as seriously as I did my deadline-focused work as a journalist. If I didn't, then no, I probably couldn't make money doing it. I think many people think writers stare out at the sea and write a few beautiful sentences a day -- but writing is a job. It takes practice, diligence and work. Daydreaming only gets you to your desk. But the work takes place there.
People (non-writer people) are so weird about writing and money. They assume that published authors they see in the bookstore must be wealthy, but also that the people they meet who write can't possibly make any money from it, and also that it doesn't actually take any work... and the reality is much more varied and complex. Thanks for commenting!
The other day I told my therapist that the minute someone refers to my creative work (writing, weaving, playing music etc) as a hobby I think to myself "oh, I guess we can never be friends," because anyone who refers to my life work as a "hobby" in opposition to the work I do to make money, simply doesn't understand anything real. So thank-you.
Really, this whole post resonates hard right now since I've decided to unearth my stalled book project (it's been a year since I worked on it) and try to take myself seriously about the whole thing. I have a secondary book project hovering in the background as well. All the usual suspects have been blocking me (negative self-talk, eldest daughter with aging parents, work/time stress) but even so the ideas are alive and well in me and want to get out onto the page.
Thanks for writing this, it was 100% what I needed to see in my inbox right now. If this was a "hobby" it would be so much easier to walk away from.
So glad it helped, Megan. Work on the book. May that work be the respite you need from all the other demands in life.
This is such an excellent piece, thank you so much for writing it. Your candid expression is exactly what I needed today…and every day. I agree wholeheartedly that I am a writer because I write…but g-damn, it gets tiring to explain that to folks. Maybe I should just say yes, I am, in fact, a big dramatic artiste (because that sounds kinda intriguing too lol)!
Love this, on many levels. Thank you ❤️
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thank you. I love this so much I laughed out loud (in appreciation or recognition) despite a migraine. This is refreshing, acerbic and restorative.
Thank you! (And I hope your migraine improves.)
Whenever I tell people that I'm a full-time writer, I get an eyebrow raise. You're right. Everyone's next question is: But can you actually make money doing it? The thing is that you can make money doing lots of stuff you wouldn't believe as long as you treat it like a full time job. I get up and I'm at my desk at 9am everyday. I take my fiction writing as seriously as I did my deadline-focused work as a journalist. If I didn't, then no, I probably couldn't make money doing it. I think many people think writers stare out at the sea and write a few beautiful sentences a day -- but writing is a job. It takes practice, diligence and work. Daydreaming only gets you to your desk. But the work takes place there.
People (non-writer people) are so weird about writing and money. They assume that published authors they see in the bookstore must be wealthy, but also that the people they meet who write can't possibly make any money from it, and also that it doesn't actually take any work... and the reality is much more varied and complex. Thanks for commenting!
Listen, if you enjoy suffering, I don't kinkshame, lol. ;)
I'm not going to tell anyone not to suffer if they really want to.... actually wait, yes I am.