25 September, 2018

"I Am a Writer. I Guess."

"You guess, don't you know?"
"Okay. Positive statement. Ringing affirmative! I am a writer."

Have you seen Breakfast at Tiffany's? That conversation is running in my head on a loop.

Paul has a book of short stories published, albeit with the help of a wealthy benefactor. It's not really the point of the movie. 

The main thing I do during any given day is write. I signed up for NanoWriMo. I joined a writers' group yesterday. Sort of. ...I didn't get much out of it, and there's a fee, and I can't really do Mondays usually. So maybe not.


But I wanted to check it out. I know that I don't know everything, so this might be a way to learn something. ...I mean, not so much yesterday. Literally all the information given was stuff I've seen on pinterest.

The other thing is, I do not like being social. I can do it. I was raised to do it. I dress appropriately, have good manners - although I say weird things at times - respond appropriately to others, offer encouragement. I can do it, but I come home exhausted. It costs me a lot of energy to be social. This group met in the morning, lasting through lunch, and I came home and wanted to take a nap. 

I'm a writer, not a socialite.

I'm a writer, although I'm not yet published.

I'm a writer because I spend my time writing, and because I'm good at it. 

I am a writer. Ringing affirmative.

18 comments:

  1. And I'm excited to see what will come of it.

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    1. We are each other's biggest fan. As it should be. <3

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  2. Red,

    Being social is tiring work. I've gotten less social over the years, not that I was Miss Popularity in school or center of attention unless class clown counts, not intentionally. I was just a big goof. Anywho...positive reinforcement is a good thing. We have to remind ourselves of what we're good at and try to find ways to build on that. I think it's pAwesome that you joined a writing group and I'm sure you'll do great things with it. Mondays are hard one everyone. I'm so happy that you joined me on the dance floor. Hopefully that put you in a fabulous mood to slay that word dragon and cranked out a dozen or so pages of literary art. :) Best of luck to you and have a funtastic week, my friend!

    Hugs,
    Cathy

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    1. Me too. I wasn't super social before, but now as an adult, if I have a choice, I avoid it.

      And so far (today's Wednesday for me) Monday was my biggest day! Maybe I just need to dance every day.

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  3. I so empathize on the social aspect, I'm the same way. One reason I do so much better with online groups. I get to control my access and time.

    NaNo is great...I put out my first two books as a result of Camp NaNo one August and NaNo the following November. It helped me realize I do best working against a deadline (I knew that from my working career but didn't know it would apply for writing). So now, when in a crunch, I set a deadline for myself and track my daily word count.

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    1. That's so encouraging! I hear several stories of people who used NaNo as a springboard to getting published. It's nice to know I know one of those authors!

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    1. I rested (as they say in China). I didn't actually sleep, but I curled up in the air conditioned room, and let my brain fade as I played a nonsense game on my phone.

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  5. I was nervous to join a writing group, but it's a nice place to have people critique my work. And we all speak the same language. We write. I'm sorry you find it so exhausting. Perhaps that's not the right group for you.

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    1. You know, I happened to see one of the ladies from the group while I was standing at the bakery stall this morning. It was nice to have a casual chat with a new acquaintance!

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  6. Well well. The soul of the introvert is very familiar to me. :-)) And I write every day in my journal, but wow, there's such a difference in inspiration from day to day!

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    1. Sometimes, there's so much inspiration, it's hard to stick to a topic when I'm blogging! Thanks for visiting. I'll stop by soon.

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  7. I don't like being social either. That is why I love my online friends the best. You are a good writer. I always enjoy reading when I am here.

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    1. I miss your posts! I've added your blog to my Blogger Reading List, so I assume life has just gotten in the way of writing for you. I hope all is well!

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  8. How lovely that you're a writer Red - I'm not a writer and I'm not a socialite - large groups drain me dry. I think part of being a writer is that you like to do your own thing in your own space at your own pace - so being a socialite is definitely not a requirement!

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    1. True! My own thing, in my own space, with my own music playing in the background. I'm really glad I married the one person whose company I can enjoy for long periods of time.

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  9. This reminds me of Roald Dahl's story "Lucky Break", about how he became a writer, in which he says, "If you go to a publisher and ask for a job he'll tell you to buzz off and write a book first."
    I read that as a kid and thought, wow, going to a publisher and asking for a job is something people do?
    If you write you are a writer regardless of whether a publisher will give you a job for what you write.

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    1. I keep mulling in my head, "Was George R.R. Martin a writer before Game of Thrones was picked up?" "How long was Stephen King writing before anyone knew he was a writer? Did he call himself a writer?"
      If it's what I do, it's an identity I can claim.

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I enjoy a good debate. Feel free to shake things up. Tell me I'm wrong. Ask me why I have such a weird opinion. ...or, just laugh and tell how this relates to you and your life.