I'm a writer and proud to admit it. It never was that way, but it's okay now. I think once you accept you're who you are, writing gets easier. Talking about who you are and what you do gets easier, too.
Any professions should be something to be proud of
whether it’s sweeping floors or flying airplanes. It’s what you do, what puts
food on the table and a roof overhead. However there is one profession where
people think you should work for free or at least on their project for free.
“What do you do for a living.”
“I’m a writer.”
“I have a great idea for a book. You could write it
and I’ll split the money with you.”
Yes, I’ve had the conversation many times and I used
to bite my tongue every time. I used to say, “Sorry, I really don’t have time.
I do have a book I’m working on now.” This reply has either brought no response
or something along the lines of, “But this will be a best seller. You should
still write it.”
Aside from the fact that most lay people have no
idea how much work goes into writing a book. The late hours, pages upon pages
of edits and revisions and when the book is finally done, searching for a
publishing house or agent. Some writers are fairly prolific and others spend
years perfecting their books. People outside of the profession just don’t get
it.
So what do you do when someone insists you’re
missing that best seller if you’d only write their book? You know, and do all
the work so they can “split” the profit? And POOF! Have that magical best
seller?
Here’s what works for me;
“Okay, give me an outline by chapter and character
sketches. I’ll also need a timeline in detail to make sure I get it right.”
No one has ever given me any of this and most never
come back asking. If they do, I reiterate how important it is getting the
outline, character sketches and timeline is to create the book.
Next time they ask you to write that book, give them
the list and watch that glint go out of their eye. Oh wait! Writing a book is
work???? Who knew!
