And where might I be? Some of my small cadre of followers know that this has been a rocky path for me of late. I think I finally figured it as much as it is going to be figured. I am no longer a writer. But I still write. I've merely dropped the 'r'. I've shed my ego-attachment to the term 'writer'. Tired of living in hope and fear about being considered a real bunny, I've decided that I'm okay being the velveteen sort. I do not need to be published nor do I need to fret endlessly about the manuscripts piling up. They can all be burnt up or whatever the digital version is when I leave this world. I might still send out one or two if I feel like it but when I do it will be with no expectation. I'm going to remember that I love writing and find other ways to share that love. I already send out a post weekly from my blog "Sojourner in Nova Scotia" to a number of pals. I might embark on a shared podcast adventure with some other folks who write. I do have a play that is half-finished and has a home for production when I do get it done. I will not get a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches. I will not smoke a pipe. I will not go to the beach to have my book jacket photo done. I will not meet my editor at The Algonquin to go over some last minute details.
Ta da!
How are the rest of you all doing?
9 comments:
I had to make some peace with myself as well, about being a writer and writing. I too got lost in the "having to" part of this journey and now feel I can write again. I won't give up the "r" yet, but I've accepted where I am and where I want to be. Good for you letting go of the stress!
Sorry the spark isn't there anymore. I thought it was gone for me and once I accepted that, I started writing again in earnest.
The quest for publication sure can make one weary. At least you can still find the joy on pure writing.
That's such a very interesting and important distinction, Jan. And I really think I get it. I sing (well, I did), but I'm not a singer. We can enrich ourselves and explore those parts of us without forcing ourselves into labels...
Well, Harper Lee wrote one book and there's been some discussion whether she really was the writer responsible for making it the classic it turned out to be, or whether that was an overzealous editor who held her hand through the whole thing and might even have re-written parts of it. But still, who wouldn't call Harper Lee a writer? So I say, go for it. As long as you're writing and working on something, you're a writer.
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