I originally wanted to call the title
Responses To "So all you do is write?", but that would have come off too snarky. Most of us have had these encounters where a friend or stranger at the grocery store checkout line tries to picture our daily routine. Some pose the question from a well-meaning standpoint. Others, well, I don't have to go there for you to get my drift. I never understood the epidemic of writer disdain.
Be encouraged. No matter where you are in your writing journey, you do more than put pen to paper or fire up your laptop. I'm going to be so bold as to say you are at least five of the following:
This is not a job. This is who you are. Period. Whether you sell a million books or one to your mother is irrelevant to your significance to God the Father. No one can take this foremost identity from you.
Each of us is the boss of our own company. No other person can take over and write our story the same way.
Some of us design our own cover art and websites. All of us create through our minds and express ourselves with words.
When we're not writing stories or nonfiction, we're online networking with other writers and getting the word out about our work through social media.
We keep abreast of what's going on in the publishing world, what's selling, and what agents are looking for.
Weekly or daily, this is how we communicate on a regular basis.
As we have our own business, we keep a list of expenses and deductions that other people don't have to get a headache over.
Ours is a close-knit community that supports and encourages each other (Most of the time!) What goes around, comes around, and we know negativity kills the ability to write.
We choose the layout of our websites, blogs, and business cards.
Somebody has to find the best deal on a flight and hotel for the writers' conference.
We have to make a good impression at the conference when we pitch to that agent.
I don't know about you, but nobody's going behind me and cleaning up my workspace when I'm done for the day.
To some degree, we have to research our writing topic or the setting/time period/occupation in which we place our characters.
The aforementioned research has to be organized for future reference.
This is just a smattering of what we do as writers. Many of us also have spouses and children that need our attention. We're home and property caretakers, domestic engineers, and short-order cooks. Should I add professional jugglers to the list? :-)
So the next time someone poses the iffy question "Is that all you do is write?", don't get defensive and say something you'll later regret. Stay positive, and with a mysterious smile, say "Among other things."
What hat(s) are you wearing today?
