Howdy. I relate to this and write about this all the time and try to motivate my writing group members to think "I am a writer". I have four published novels and still struggle (which may not help ya here). What might is that my impression of you from afar is "gosh he's killing it on Substack. I'll never be as successful as him." It's all a bit mad,eh?
That's it. Fierce! And then when you get to the goal... it is... is that it, what now? Also maybe 'we' are focusing on the wrong idea of our own success? You're flying and I'm totally inspired by you. Hope this helps the confidence levels on a Monday.
Very understandable and relatable. I have written nonstop since I was a little kid; there's something about being able to put words together that came more naturally for me than some, and I have never, ever taken my toe out of the writing water.
Doing it as an identity is weird, though. After 20+ years identifying as a business owner, I think it's time to identify primarily as a writer.
I would imagine - but could be very wrong - that being a business owner puts you in a good position and state of mind for declaring yourself to be a writer. You will already have had to present your company, and yourself, in similar terms, and taken that up-front ownership.
Indeed. Entrepreneurship (somewhat aloof from mere business ownership) has driven me to do everything myself, and selling myself... well, that part still isn't fun, but at least I'm better at the game now, you know?
I can definitely relate to your post. What do you do? I kinda also dread this question. I view myself more as a writer than what I do at my day job (I'm just an English language instructor at a small school). To me, my day job is just a means to earn money to support what I really love to do--writing. Even if I don't earn a full-time income through writing, I will still continue to write. It's just something that I feel I can't live without. If someone asks me what I do, perhaps I'll just say I teach and write. But I know some people might think writing is just a "hobby" and not a way of living.
Yeah, the 'just a hobby' dismissal is the problem, I think.
Also the distinction between 'a way of living' and 'making a living'. The former is about what makes it worth getting up in the morning; the latter is about being able to financially exist in the society we happen to be in. Those two things are often conflated, but actually tend to be quite distinct.
I would be so tempted to say something like, "I write fantasy and post it on substack. I'm almost done with my first novel, and it should be out shortly. Until then, I'm working for county corrections."
That reminds me of Einstein's quote: "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
He hatched all his best ideas (his words) at the patent office.
I haven't (yet) put out any of my fiction writing — firstly because of that "not yet published" detail (I've been writing as part of my past jobs for more than fifteen years, but they were mostly articles and interviews I'd been commissioned, plus a stint at ghostwriting the “autobiography” of an opera singer, which was interesting as an experience, still I find it difficult to consider that as writing, because despite the authorship being all mine, the story wasn't, nor the last word on what to tell and how...), and secondly because the historical fantasy novel I'm currently writing is in Italian, and I'm not even sure there's a readership for it in my language, nor a publisher who would be interested in marketing it... Perhaps I should've tried writing it in English straight away, but as I already said elsewhere I don't rate my English as “literature worthy”... So when people ask me what do I do, I usually reply that I'm an architect on hiatus, currently reshuffling my past experiences and skills to build myself a job I 100% enjoy. And then also shyly add “...and I'm also writing my first novel”, but by then nobody is listening to me anymore. 😅
Even when I feel confident explaining, most people don’t get it! But then there are the small percent who are amazed -- not at what or how successful -- just simply that it is something one chooses to do. Thanks for a great read. Also, the cover is looking really 💯 on Amazon.
I recently flew into Australia and decided to write “writer” in the occupation box. It was pretty phenomenal. Next step, saying it in person to someone!!
I really enjoyed and appreciated reading this--thanks for writing and sharing. I just discovered your Substack through your Note this morning and subscribed; looking forward to reading more of your writing.
This is such a great read Simon and I totally feel the same way. I rarely introduce myself or talk about the fact that I'm a writer to people. I don't know why. I'm Scottish, so it may be just ingrained in me that we don't really talk ourselves up - even though simply introducing myself as a writer is a fact rather than a trumpet-blow. I was having a conversation with two people this past week and the subject turned onto the fact I was a writer which surprised them. It surprised me as well that they didn't know then realised that I really should identify myself as a writer more often. Maybe it'll come easier with time. I'm almost apologetic when I tell people I'm a writer, and totally get the indie author v traditional author feeling also. When I do talk about my writing work, I realise I have a tendency to discuss that which has went down a "traditional" route (BBC or my audio drama SEARCH) and shy away from the indie books I've published. Thanks for writing this Simon - really relatable and a great read.
When I actually start (or, technically, restart self publishing, I’ll talk about my writing more to people. Right now I can point them to my Wattpad profile, but that includes some very spicy stuff. And since most of my interactions are through work, I’m really trying to avoid an HR incident. 😬
Totally! Thanks for shedding light on this. This has been an issue for me for a long time and, like you said, because I'm not published conventionally, i.e., no agent, no publisher, no printed books, I always feel as if I lack permission to say, "I am a writer" in spite of having written dozens of short stories and several novels and partial novels over the last 30 years. I've put much more effort and thought into my writing than I ever did into my money-making jobs. That said, the "seeing their eyes glaze over" effect is a real thing too. (I don't hang out with so many arty types these days which is part of my problem I assume). That said, as a result of putting a serial novel up on Substack, and being more motivated to talk about "my writing," I've noticed how few people actually read fiction, or are even interested in doing so. My day job is in a very person to person sort of industry. I have lots of conversations with strangers, and for awhile I was telling people about my novel and sharing the link with them. I haven't been doing so lately. Very few seemed interested (eyes glaze over), and I don't believe a single one of my customers has ever subscribed to my substack.
I've always found it difficult to understand people who don't read fiction. But it's not unusual. Those people still enjoy fiction in other forms, like movies, but book fiction these days is quite an acquired taste, it seems.
THAT SAID: there's still a vast number of readers out there. The trick, as always, is finding them. That's where writing online can have a real benefit, because suddenly we're not trying to find rare readers in our local region, or convince people to get into bookshops: we can reach anyone with an internet connection. It's still very hard, but it feels to me still that there is huge potential.
Something I've enjoyed with the launch of Substack Notes is that sense of being surrounded by my tribe: other writers and artists. Not always ideal for finding *readers*, but still a big benefit.
I want to look into at some point (probably when I have more in print) going to conventions and book shows: again, going where the readers already are.
Everything you're doing and have done "counts", Simon! Says the woman who needs to be reminded of this herself on a daily basis. 🙂
Great post, as usual. This one reminded me of quick little rant I posted on my Substack back when I had only five subscribers. https://stockfiction.substack.com/p/what-do-you-do wherein I attempted to answer the very question you were pelted with at your reunion.
Ah yeah, you basically wrote this post in a more succinct way and with more wit! :D
I really dislike the way children/teenagers are funnelled towards particular jobs/paths so early. By all means give them opportunities and options, but why is it so important to narrow it down so soon? Let kids be kids, an explore what interests them. Adults are so eager to fit children into a box. Maybe it's jealousy.
I remember one thing that had an impact on me was someone tearing down the notion of an 'aspiring writer' by saying that if you write you're a writer. Since then I didn't put any qualifications around calling myself a writer. There was a similar talk in college about publication and what counts as it, which made me realize that my fanfiction and my visual novel on itch are published works, just not in the big presses that go to bookstores.
For me I try to sound a little crazy when introducing my work, because it gets people to wonder. Saying something like 'I write fighting game style serial fiction' is supposed to make people have to ask what that even means, and also conveys my dual focuses of writing and video games.
What do you write? “Science fiction and fantasy.” Losing interest again.
😂 Truth. I will usually ask what they like to read if the genre doesn't interest them. The most popular answer is they don't read fiction at all.
I don't ask people what they do (for a living) anymore, and when they ask me I just say "software". If I say writer they invariably think it means I'm a full time author. If I tell them I'm not, it immediately loses the mystique. This is all a form of small talk anyhow. I try to think of questions to ask that lead in another direction, like where did you and so-and-so meet if it's an introduction, or try to discover a shared interest. Most people don't want to talk about work because it takes up half of their life already, so the challenge is finding a hidden interest or hobby.
I admit my reflex is usually to answer that question with my day job (I did that just last month at a doctor's appointment, in fact); I need to work on this for sure.
I just say, "I'm writing a novel". If they're interested, I give them the elevator pitch and tell them it's 'speculative fiction'. That usually leads to another convo! What my day job used to be is generally up to them to discover, but it's fun surprising people with a nugget or two of unexpected knowledge from my past lives.
Howdy. I relate to this and write about this all the time and try to motivate my writing group members to think "I am a writer". I have four published novels and still struggle (which may not help ya here). What might is that my impression of you from afar is "gosh he's killing it on Substack. I'll never be as successful as him." It's all a bit mad,eh?
Ha, thanks, Sharon! Isn't it funny how other people see us, and how that doesn't always match up with how we see ourselves?
That's it. Fierce! And then when you get to the goal... it is... is that it, what now? Also maybe 'we' are focusing on the wrong idea of our own success? You're flying and I'm totally inspired by you. Hope this helps the confidence levels on a Monday.
Very understandable and relatable. I have written nonstop since I was a little kid; there's something about being able to put words together that came more naturally for me than some, and I have never, ever taken my toe out of the writing water.
Doing it as an identity is weird, though. After 20+ years identifying as a business owner, I think it's time to identify primarily as a writer.
Side note- congrats on 2000! That's really cool.
I would imagine - but could be very wrong - that being a business owner puts you in a good position and state of mind for declaring yourself to be a writer. You will already have had to present your company, and yourself, in similar terms, and taken that up-front ownership.
Indeed. Entrepreneurship (somewhat aloof from mere business ownership) has driven me to do everything myself, and selling myself... well, that part still isn't fun, but at least I'm better at the game now, you know?
I can definitely relate to your post. What do you do? I kinda also dread this question. I view myself more as a writer than what I do at my day job (I'm just an English language instructor at a small school). To me, my day job is just a means to earn money to support what I really love to do--writing. Even if I don't earn a full-time income through writing, I will still continue to write. It's just something that I feel I can't live without. If someone asks me what I do, perhaps I'll just say I teach and write. But I know some people might think writing is just a "hobby" and not a way of living.
Yeah, the 'just a hobby' dismissal is the problem, I think.
Also the distinction between 'a way of living' and 'making a living'. The former is about what makes it worth getting up in the morning; the latter is about being able to financially exist in the society we happen to be in. Those two things are often conflated, but actually tend to be quite distinct.
I would be so tempted to say something like, "I write fantasy and post it on substack. I'm almost done with my first novel, and it should be out shortly. Until then, I'm working for county corrections."
That reminds me of Einstein's quote: "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
He hatched all his best ideas (his words) at the patent office.
I haven't (yet) put out any of my fiction writing — firstly because of that "not yet published" detail (I've been writing as part of my past jobs for more than fifteen years, but they were mostly articles and interviews I'd been commissioned, plus a stint at ghostwriting the “autobiography” of an opera singer, which was interesting as an experience, still I find it difficult to consider that as writing, because despite the authorship being all mine, the story wasn't, nor the last word on what to tell and how...), and secondly because the historical fantasy novel I'm currently writing is in Italian, and I'm not even sure there's a readership for it in my language, nor a publisher who would be interested in marketing it... Perhaps I should've tried writing it in English straight away, but as I already said elsewhere I don't rate my English as “literature worthy”... So when people ask me what do I do, I usually reply that I'm an architect on hiatus, currently reshuffling my past experiences and skills to build myself a job I 100% enjoy. And then also shyly add “...and I'm also writing my first novel”, but by then nobody is listening to me anymore. 😅
Maybe we need t-shirts or badges with "I'm also writing a novel" on, so that we don't even have to say it out loud.
I have the 'I am a writer" mug.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Funny-Mug-Author-Stories-Writer/dp/B08T15D556/ref=asc_df_B08T15D556/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=499174339645&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12973578522431813905&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006580&hvtargid=pla-1190469100281&psc=1
People don't realise that the warning is accurate.
Even when I feel confident explaining, most people don’t get it! But then there are the small percent who are amazed -- not at what or how successful -- just simply that it is something one chooses to do. Thanks for a great read. Also, the cover is looking really 💯 on Amazon.
Thanks! And yes, if you talk to a fellow artist (even in a very different field) they usually get it straight away and are really intrigued.
I recently flew into Australia and decided to write “writer” in the occupation box. It was pretty phenomenal. Next step, saying it in person to someone!!
Amazing!
I really enjoyed and appreciated reading this--thanks for writing and sharing. I just discovered your Substack through your Note this morning and subscribed; looking forward to reading more of your writing.
This is such a great read Simon and I totally feel the same way. I rarely introduce myself or talk about the fact that I'm a writer to people. I don't know why. I'm Scottish, so it may be just ingrained in me that we don't really talk ourselves up - even though simply introducing myself as a writer is a fact rather than a trumpet-blow. I was having a conversation with two people this past week and the subject turned onto the fact I was a writer which surprised them. It surprised me as well that they didn't know then realised that I really should identify myself as a writer more often. Maybe it'll come easier with time. I'm almost apologetic when I tell people I'm a writer, and totally get the indie author v traditional author feeling also. When I do talk about my writing work, I realise I have a tendency to discuss that which has went down a "traditional" route (BBC or my audio drama SEARCH) and shy away from the indie books I've published. Thanks for writing this Simon - really relatable and a great read.
When I actually start (or, technically, restart self publishing, I’ll talk about my writing more to people. Right now I can point them to my Wattpad profile, but that includes some very spicy stuff. And since most of my interactions are through work, I’m really trying to avoid an HR incident. 😬
🌶️
Totally! Thanks for shedding light on this. This has been an issue for me for a long time and, like you said, because I'm not published conventionally, i.e., no agent, no publisher, no printed books, I always feel as if I lack permission to say, "I am a writer" in spite of having written dozens of short stories and several novels and partial novels over the last 30 years. I've put much more effort and thought into my writing than I ever did into my money-making jobs. That said, the "seeing their eyes glaze over" effect is a real thing too. (I don't hang out with so many arty types these days which is part of my problem I assume). That said, as a result of putting a serial novel up on Substack, and being more motivated to talk about "my writing," I've noticed how few people actually read fiction, or are even interested in doing so. My day job is in a very person to person sort of industry. I have lots of conversations with strangers, and for awhile I was telling people about my novel and sharing the link with them. I haven't been doing so lately. Very few seemed interested (eyes glaze over), and I don't believe a single one of my customers has ever subscribed to my substack.
I've always found it difficult to understand people who don't read fiction. But it's not unusual. Those people still enjoy fiction in other forms, like movies, but book fiction these days is quite an acquired taste, it seems.
THAT SAID: there's still a vast number of readers out there. The trick, as always, is finding them. That's where writing online can have a real benefit, because suddenly we're not trying to find rare readers in our local region, or convince people to get into bookshops: we can reach anyone with an internet connection. It's still very hard, but it feels to me still that there is huge potential.
Something I've enjoyed with the launch of Substack Notes is that sense of being surrounded by my tribe: other writers and artists. Not always ideal for finding *readers*, but still a big benefit.
I want to look into at some point (probably when I have more in print) going to conventions and book shows: again, going where the readers already are.
Sorry, that was a big ramble. :D
Everything you're doing and have done "counts", Simon! Says the woman who needs to be reminded of this herself on a daily basis. 🙂
Great post, as usual. This one reminded me of quick little rant I posted on my Substack back when I had only five subscribers. https://stockfiction.substack.com/p/what-do-you-do wherein I attempted to answer the very question you were pelted with at your reunion.
Ah yeah, you basically wrote this post in a more succinct way and with more wit! :D
I really dislike the way children/teenagers are funnelled towards particular jobs/paths so early. By all means give them opportunities and options, but why is it so important to narrow it down so soon? Let kids be kids, an explore what interests them. Adults are so eager to fit children into a box. Maybe it's jealousy.
I remember one thing that had an impact on me was someone tearing down the notion of an 'aspiring writer' by saying that if you write you're a writer. Since then I didn't put any qualifications around calling myself a writer. There was a similar talk in college about publication and what counts as it, which made me realize that my fanfiction and my visual novel on itch are published works, just not in the big presses that go to bookstores.
For me I try to sound a little crazy when introducing my work, because it gets people to wonder. Saying something like 'I write fighting game style serial fiction' is supposed to make people have to ask what that even means, and also conveys my dual focuses of writing and video games.
What do you write? “Science fiction and fantasy.” Losing interest again.
😂 Truth. I will usually ask what they like to read if the genre doesn't interest them. The most popular answer is they don't read fiction at all.
I don't ask people what they do (for a living) anymore, and when they ask me I just say "software". If I say writer they invariably think it means I'm a full time author. If I tell them I'm not, it immediately loses the mystique. This is all a form of small talk anyhow. I try to think of questions to ask that lead in another direction, like where did you and so-and-so meet if it's an introduction, or try to discover a shared interest. Most people don't want to talk about work because it takes up half of their life already, so the challenge is finding a hidden interest or hobby.
I admit my reflex is usually to answer that question with my day job (I did that just last month at a doctor's appointment, in fact); I need to work on this for sure.
I just say, "I'm writing a novel". If they're interested, I give them the elevator pitch and tell them it's 'speculative fiction'. That usually leads to another convo! What my day job used to be is generally up to them to discover, but it's fun surprising people with a nugget or two of unexpected knowledge from my past lives.