Today's post is inspired by the truth!
I've taken the plunge.
I have (finally) started to admit to (real life) people that I write. For the past two years I hid this away like it was my dirty, little secret. Just tucked away in the back of my closet, so no one would discover the truth.
This way, no one would ever notice if I failed. I went to big extremes to hide this from people. I didn't even tell my husband for the first year. You know who I did tell? My students. It's whats great about kids, they never judge. And most the time they won't even remember that big, dark secret you told them.
The truth is, I was afraid. Of the same things most A type personalities are afraid of...of failing. Or, even worse, failing and having the whole world realize it.
So why did this fear apply to my writing?
Because I am not great with follow through. Some people who know me might think I'm crazy (I am, but that has nothing to do with this) But that's because I'm good at hiding things. I figured I might start this whole 'writing thing' just to quit after a few months.
Since I'm already being honest, I've started this whole writing thing a few times--a couple times in University, once in high school, and about twice in Kuwait. You know how many novels I've finished? 2. And both of those were this year.
So I've taken it as a sign...this writing thing? It's not going anywhere. And I've started to let people know.
And I realized another part of it. I thrive under pressure. I've always been one of those people who do best with deadlines and championships. Some of the plays I've made playing in soccer championships...they were special. But I ran away from the pressure with writing.
But now I've got the follow through, so now I want the pressure. So bring it on, world!
How many people in your life know you're a writer? Did you find it hard to share? Let me know in the comments!
I've taken the plunge.
I have (finally) started to admit to (real life) people that I write. For the past two years I hid this away like it was my dirty, little secret. Just tucked away in the back of my closet, so no one would discover the truth.
This way, no one would ever notice if I failed. I went to big extremes to hide this from people. I didn't even tell my husband for the first year. You know who I did tell? My students. It's whats great about kids, they never judge. And most the time they won't even remember that big, dark secret you told them.
The truth is, I was afraid. Of the same things most A type personalities are afraid of...of failing. Or, even worse, failing and having the whole world realize it.
So why did this fear apply to my writing?
Because I am not great with follow through. Some people who know me might think I'm crazy (I am, but that has nothing to do with this) But that's because I'm good at hiding things. I figured I might start this whole 'writing thing' just to quit after a few months.
Since I'm already being honest, I've started this whole writing thing a few times--a couple times in University, once in high school, and about twice in Kuwait. You know how many novels I've finished? 2. And both of those were this year.
So I've taken it as a sign...this writing thing? It's not going anywhere. And I've started to let people know.
And I realized another part of it. I thrive under pressure. I've always been one of those people who do best with deadlines and championships. Some of the plays I've made playing in soccer championships...they were special. But I ran away from the pressure with writing.
But now I've got the follow through, so now I want the pressure. So bring it on, world!
How many people in your life know you're a writer? Did you find it hard to share? Let me know in the comments!
Great post, Kelly - use the pressure. And remember to talk about your writing - it's part of who you are :)
ReplyDeleteI basically tell everyone that I'm writing. I think this is because my friends in college all knew I was writing because I began by writing about fanfic for the RPG several of us were playing. Also because I was sharing a suite with three people actually majoring in writing. It would have been hard to hide.
ReplyDeleteBut it's also something to talk about with my coworkers. We work in a lab with lots of ability to talk to each other, but we don't have a lot in common. One guy talks about his beer-making efforts. A girl talks about her dogs. Our supervisor talks about knowledge he has buying and selling and renting out and taking care of houses. And I talk about writing.
Everyone knows I'm a writer, because it's something I've been doing my entire life (though obviously I haven't been published that long). Writing is the only thing I can talk about without coming off all socially awkward and stuff, so I tend to tell a lot of people about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you! I didn't tell people about my writing for a while, and even now I get all embarrassed when talking about it to most people. I've kept quiet because I don't like attention, and when I bring it up, people inevitably ask a lot of questions and I get all flustered and even more socially awkward.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting better though! Opening up to a few people at a time after I get to know them. It feels good to be able to talk to people I trust about it (although I still have the tendency to hide!).
I'm still at the stage where I have told very few people I write. Two friends know (one has just self-published a novel I helped edit - the other one is an academic writer), and my husband knows, though until recently he only knew I wanted to be a writer. He has still not read any of my writing, and I am still too insecure to let him (he is not a reader of literature and he has a critical mind, so I know he's going to point out many things he does not like - though at the same time I know he'll point out some crucial flaws and nice bits too, so he'll be in on the book at some point). None of my colleagues know, though I have a couple of them in mind for reading a first draft once it's done and my nervousness and embarrassment is thrown overboard...which it will be at some point!
ReplyDeleteIt's been in my very private spehere for so long opening up about it is challenging.
That is so much like me. It took so long to tell anyone because of my insecurities. And the same with my husband. I haven't let him read anything, but he wouldn't be very helpful because he's not a big reader.
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