Whatever the reason, I am sure that more than one of you has experienced this type of prejudice. And it's not nice. Really, really not. The amount of time and effort that I've put into writing is ridiculous and I haven't even been paid for it yet! I've worked hard day and night to create something that I hope people will read and love with the prospect of never earning enough money from it to get by.
Why?
Because I love what I do. I have the best job in the world and I wouldn't have it any other way. There is no other job I could have in the entire world that would bring me this much joy. A little stress too, but what job isn't stressful? I have come to know amazing people through what I do. I've had the chance to read fantastic books before they've been published. I've critiqued the work of people who have made me stop and think, "Wow. This is one of the best parts of my job."
I wouldn't trade any of that for the world. The last two years of my life have been the most fulfilling. I've grown so much as a person and I've become a better writer. I have learnt so much from the rest of the publishing world. I am going to continue to grow. I am going to keep doing what I do because it makes me happy. I am going to keep doing it because I love it.
Maybe one day those same people will take back what they've said to me because they really were uninformed. Or maybe they won't. Either way, it doesn't bother me. I take the adversity with a smile and channel it into working one hundred times harder. So, thank you to the people who don't think writing is a REAL job. You're only giving me more fuel for my fire.
And maybe one day when you have an emergency and you need me to take you somewhere on my private jet...Okay, that part's definitely part of my imagination!
Writers, do not stop doing what you do. The world needs more dreamers and artists. We need more amazing books for the rest of us to lose ourselves in.
Great post. I hate how money has to come into the equation when assessing what real "work" means. Writing is not a frivolous thing to do! However, I appreciate that those who don't do it won't grasp what is involved, but there's no need to be rude.
ReplyDeleteThanks for weighing in with your thoughts, Nick. I think non-writers believe that writing IS a frivolous thing to do. But it really isn't.
DeleteI don't understand the rudeness neither. I would never do that to someone else.
It happens to me all the time. People ask what I do and when I say I write they say: "Yes, but what do you do to make money?"
ReplyDeleteI'm so used to it I ceased to become offended a long time ago. I'm lucky because I get to do what I love and very few people have that chance.
Jai
Jai, it's sad how often it happens. Not many people knew about what I did so I never received that kind of rudeness before, but now some people are quite rude about it. It's like writers are looked down on unless/until they become bestselling authors or their book is made into a movie. Then they receive attention and praise.
DeleteI am definitely trying to do what you are doing. I will continue to ignore the rudeness and focus on my work.