I read recently a list of what it means to be a professional writer and a hobby writer. And based on that list, I'm apparently a hobbyist. Could be true. I could be more professional and more driven and stop slacking off and surfing the web instead of writing. I admit it. I need more discipline, but does that mean I don't consider myself professional?
I don't mean to bash whomever wrote it, they had some good points BUT I don't think being professional means to lose yourself.
And reading that list really brought me down to a sad level instead of motivating me. The more I thought about it the less I could agree. Because, to me, being a hobby writer is my own death as an author. Mean's I don't want it enough to ever be published. Mean's I'm doing something wrong as a writer.
Having a professional internet image? I can't. I wont. If i did, I would just have to delete this whole thing and disappear. I'm just me. I forget commas and apostrophes and have to remember to spell check so people wont know how incredibly terrible I am at spelling. I try and make sarcasm come across in my writing(it never does) and make cracks that might only be funny to me. I ramble and blab about nothing at times and like sharing my opinion however misguided or wrong. Also have an unruly subconscious that is always trying to write the longest sentences possible without stopping to start a new sentence where there could obviously be a break.
Being professional means losing all that about myself. Might not be true but that's my mindset.
I don't think someone can put each writer into two bubbles like that. Each writer has their own technique, routine, and goals for their novels. Their own time frames they want to work within. And their own lives they can work around.
Writers with children have a limited time they can write and just because they won't neglect their children doesn't mean they aren't professional.
Writers with jobs they need to not live in a refrigerator box in an alley can still be professional writers too.
Writers who enjoy other things in life; movies, parties, friends, husbands, wives, not having a filthy, roach infested homes, can still be professional.
And what really stuck in my craw was the internet surfing comment. Professionals will ignore the internet and focus all their attention on writing instead of surfing? Yea right, maybe if that computer wasn't connected to the internet.
My writing routine is usually: write write write write write internet break write write write write look up something and get distracted write write write. Just because I take those youtube video and facebook checking breaks means I'm not serious? If so, then whoever is judging me can suck it. I don't want to be a professional if it mean I can't have a life.
Like I said I have some issues with not procrastinating and confidence. I may not be a real honest to goodness, published professional because my book isn't behind a beautiful cover with a publishing house stamp on it.
But it does exist, I have held it and read it and reread it and reread it again and edited(x100) and cried over the possibility that I suck at life and no one wants to read my dribble. I have worked hard and am still working hard on it. I have written another novel and have a file full of ideas for others. I have crit. partners and people who have faith in me. As far as I'm concerned I'm a professional writer.
You want professional? I'll show you professional blog posting ...
What do you think? Are you a pro? Are you a hobbiest? Does it matter to you either way?
HERE are 5 things writers always overlook.
Tomorrow I will announce the winner for Speak as the contest is now Closed! Got some AMAZING answers to it too, would def. check them out if you're interested.
I totally agree with you. In fact, I don't even see writers as living in two spheres.
ReplyDeleteYou either are a writer, or you're not.
Writers are people that write because it's their passion. I don't believe that it is supposed to be a profession.
People that try to say that it is, are being elitist fools that very likely forgot their own love for what they're doing...
Grrr... sorry. People saying stuff like that get me worked up.
I write because I need to, have to. If it turns into a profession, I'll consider myself lucky.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! Besides, we see so many "professional" authors online now- writing blogs, twittering, facebooking, surfing...it's totally the norm. Many say you aren't doing enough to be a professional if you're NOT online.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, most published authors don't make a living writing, and they have other jobs besides writing books. So they have to do other things. It's the same as being a mom- I don't have to sacrifice my whole life and live compeletely for my child. Just like I don't have to sacrifice having fun because I HAVE to write. I do it because I love it, and if I don't write for a week, it means I'm not feeling it. Not because I'm not professional. And everyone goes through that, I think.
That huge 200+ page manuscript sitting on my desk being critiqued right now tells me its more than just a meaningless "hobby" for you.
No one should ever make you feel as though you aren't professional enough, or that you're doing something wrong, because no two writers share exactly the same process. The only way for someone to know what works for you, is to BE you.
ReplyDeleteI think part of selling our image as writers is selling our PERSONALITY. I'm not stuffy. I like to have fun. My blog is full of fun. I get serious sometimes, but I'm not on here to tell other people how to write. I share what I learn. I use metaphors like they're going out of style. It's about the journey - we're all in this together. I don't want to go to an author's blog and see stuffy. Turn OFF! I want to think the author who wrote the book is cool, fun, has a sense of humor, a life. The article writer got it all wrong!
ReplyDeleteNot spell check? Rambling I can understand, not spell check:)! At any event, you may want to take a look at a good program called Spell Check Anywhere (SpellCheckAnywhere.Com). It adds spell check to all Windows programs, including blogs posts.
ReplyDelete