tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post1309332564719963345..comments2023-10-22T14:04:46.934+01:00Comments on Talli Roland: 'So When Are You Going Back to Real Work?' and Other Annoying QuestionsTalli Rolandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-29158938585438540682010-10-23T22:13:57.720+01:002010-10-23T22:13:57.720+01:00I don't get cracks on my writing or anything b...I don't get cracks on my writing or anything but I get questions like, "so, when are you going to publish it?" or "why don't you just self-publish it?" to which I've started replying "oh, are you a marketing genius? will *you* promote my book while I keep my full-time job?"<br />Then I have to explain all about how querying an agent works... but maybe I ought to stop doing that and just start telling them about my novel instead :-)Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-74986862385866343502010-10-23T19:24:56.680+01:002010-10-23T19:24:56.680+01:00Gah. I hate this question. Only other writer frien...Gah. I hate this question. Only other writer friends and a couple of very dear non-writer but very supportive pals take my writing remotely seriously. Everyone else wants to know what I do all day, given they haven't yet seen a bestseller hit the shelves and I'm not earning much, if any, money from writing. My mother still introduces me as her lawyer daughter who's on a career break.<br /><br />My only comeback is to ask them if they would rather have impoverished writer but generally nicer person or stressed out lawyer around and they usually opt for the former!Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12719765628886270649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-6275627760179448052010-10-23T17:02:32.637+01:002010-10-23T17:02:32.637+01:00Hah, I actually got into a furious argument about ...Hah, I actually got into a furious argument about this the other week. The gist was that since I don't have any proper qualifications I'll never get a real job and I should think about doing a real job because this can't possibly sustain me.<br /><br />To which I attempted to explain that actually, I've been doing this writing thing for ten years and been published for five of those. So I've actually spent longer learning my craft than I would have getting a degree. My qualifications are the pile of paperbacks with my name on them and the shiny awards on my wall.<br /><br />I was also extremely irritated by the assumption that because I'm not an instant millionaire, I'll never make any money from this, so I should find another way to support myself. I tried to explain that I need to believe in my own success, rather like an Olympic athlete does. You let yourself get bogged down in the reality of statistics and you're allowing yourself to believe in your own failure.<br /><br />I had the last laugh, though. The person I was arguing with works in local government and her job security is extremely shaky right now. I've refrained from asking if she has a back-up plan in case her career fails, but only because I'm an excessively magnanimous person.Kate Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01502745299951529417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-13764365690419746282010-10-22T20:58:50.987+01:002010-10-22T20:58:50.987+01:00I'm still somewhat of a secret writer. The onl...I'm still somewhat of a secret writer. The only person who really knows what I'm doing is my sister, and she's super supportive. Unfortunately, I don't have any awesome comebacks to suggest for you.Jessica Ann Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14131293013101275074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-5876232642821986152010-10-22T17:41:04.787+01:002010-10-22T17:41:04.787+01:00Hi Talli .. your time will come - and they'll ...Hi Talli .. your time will come - and they'll be stumped dumb .. you're doing so much, learning so much, being so much .. it's just wonderful .. and then you will be a much revered author .. <br /><br />We're living a life, full of change, full of surprises, full of interest and full of brain stimulating ideas .. yay - wouldn't change it!<br /><br />Keep reaching for it .. it's their loss, yours is all gain and I'm sure glory fairly soon .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-26292116414321026592010-10-22T15:21:23.686+01:002010-10-22T15:21:23.686+01:00Oh, man! How insulting! I think though, it isn&#...Oh, man! How insulting! I think though, it isn't that uncommon a misconception. People see writing as glamorous--they envision the book cover photo and see pictures of authors at signings and readings, and have NO CLUE how much work it is to clean up a manuscript.<br /><br />I think it would be delightful to write all the time, because I LOVE IT, but definitely WORK. (and not well paid for the majority of us, were you to put it in hourly terms.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-32557982885663139062010-10-22T14:24:48.961+01:002010-10-22T14:24:48.961+01:00I'm not a full time writer, so I do get to go ...I'm not a full time writer, so I do get to go off to the office every day for a break. Which is quite nice. And most people who actually know I write think of it just as a hobby, which, I guess right now, it kind of is. I think all that matters is that you love what you're doing, no matter if others think it's silly or a hobby, etc. :)<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Kimberly Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13957037411750752950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-40870526163023221522010-10-22T12:56:54.386+01:002010-10-22T12:56:54.386+01:00Some do and some don't. I'm learning to ta...Some do and some don't. I'm learning to take the some don't and see their comments as ignorance of our craft. They just don't get it. Most of those people (who I like) work certain hours and play, do family stuff, etc...the rest of the time. Our craft is nonstop and ever-evolving.S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-62463275566525976312010-10-22T12:55:44.131+01:002010-10-22T12:55:44.131+01:00Hey, I saw author AND professional speaker, and pe...Hey, I saw author AND professional speaker, and people still stare at me like I'm from Mars or something.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-27233015159048605362010-10-22T12:53:25.314+01:002010-10-22T12:53:25.314+01:00I think I've been home so long (fourteen years...I think I've been home so long (fourteen years next month - I left work to stay home with my first child) that no one dares ask me that anymore. I'm afraid I'm pretty un-employable after all this time, but no complaints here!Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-89574559682365027212010-10-22T10:29:59.041+01:002010-10-22T10:29:59.041+01:00I'm still doing the 'real job' thing a...I'm still doing the 'real job' thing at the moment, but that's mainly because I know that becoming a full time writer would be a hell of a lot harder for me :P<br />I get asked the same sort of questions because I'm an Egyptologist though; if it's not an office job then people don't consider it work. People are very odd :SJamie Gibbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168603412367448706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-53871038830558993192010-10-22T10:09:10.110+01:002010-10-22T10:09:10.110+01:00This is a common problem. When I mentioned to my o...This is a common problem. When I mentioned to my osteopath that I was an aspiring writer he told me about a friend of his who is writing a romance novel. His words were, "She's been writing it for five months now and hasn't finished it yet. How long does it take to write a novel?" I was not amused and had to counter with an explanation of exactly what writing a novel entails!Ellie Garratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03731071128348213067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-27967059327495462532010-10-22T08:41:40.216+01:002010-10-22T08:41:40.216+01:00It can't be worse than "you know what&quo...It can't be worse than "you know what"!Emmakghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01415800247230486665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-51888236593747358242010-10-22T07:08:35.593+01:002010-10-22T07:08:35.593+01:00Garrr AargH! That's all I have to say ;)Garrr AargH! That's all I have to say ;)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-54984301594232673292010-10-22T05:40:56.042+01:002010-10-22T05:40:56.042+01:00Well, they are right. You don't work till you ...Well, they are right. You don't work till you put on killer jeans, slap on the war paint, and consume cups of insipid coffee while exchanging office gossip. They work, you are being productive.Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00481081735923606868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-82663763592682139822010-10-22T05:28:35.530+01:002010-10-22T05:28:35.530+01:00I don't really talk too much about my writing ...I don't really talk too much about my writing around my family and friends. But when I have, I usually hear the same old "you gotta have a back-up plan." And since I do have other interests, they're keeping quiet. :)<br /><br />Can't believe someone would say that to you. Do they even realize how difficult and often irritating the whole writing process is? I think they're just jealous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-89854118476836616542010-10-22T05:18:38.977+01:002010-10-22T05:18:38.977+01:00The people where I work look at me askance, not un...The people where I work look at me askance, not understanding why I lock myself away writing when agents keep refusing to look at my manuscript.<br /><br />Give up already, they say.<br /><br />Never give up the dream. Mark Twain said that long ago, and it remains true today.<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words on my blog. Erin Cole picked a story, DEATH IN MY VEINS, for one of her 13 DAYS OF HORROR (It is more haunting than horrible.) You might like to check it out : <br /><br />http://erincolelive.blogspot.com/2010/10/death-in-my-veins-roland-yeomans.html<br /><br />Thanks for dropping in when you do. It means a lot to me. RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-12530998646298706232010-10-22T04:38:26.201+01:002010-10-22T04:38:26.201+01:00Hi Talli,
Love this post. I used to get this a lo...Hi Talli,<br /><br />Love this post. I used to get this a lot...until I started making money as a writer. Now all I hear is, "when is your book coming out?" Sigh. Working as a writer does not equal author.<br /><br />I don't have any snappy come backs - I usually bog them down with details. I start going on about query letters and the publication process...before you know it, they change the subject! =)Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640509596922335617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-35502481908700707382010-10-22T02:52:51.475+01:002010-10-22T02:52:51.475+01:00ooo the things I would have said - starting with F...ooo the things I would have said - starting with F off MF. Hardest job in the world - you try being creative everyday.Jhon Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05952691262605706711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-54929613056737616742010-10-22T01:16:06.736+01:002010-10-22T01:16:06.736+01:00Ahh.. I hear you! See, no one knows I'm writi...Ahh.. I hear you! See, no one knows I'm writing, except my sister, and she definitely knows how important this is to me. <br /><br />But I have mentioned it jokingly in the past to some people, just to see what kind of reaction I would garner, and it's always the same... a little laugh, and the usual "well, how will you make any money with that".<br /><br />The thing is... it's not about the money--that's not the motivating part, because let's face it, chances are, we WON't make much. But to see your name on a book in the bookstore and know that you CREATED that? <br /><br />Priceless :)WritingNuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16326756274887055685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-35146052336849158212010-10-22T00:49:33.298+01:002010-10-22T00:49:33.298+01:00If only people knew how hard it really is....If only people knew how hard it really is....Bossy Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-1058863320356976472010-10-22T00:44:03.152+01:002010-10-22T00:44:03.152+01:00Like everyone else who reads your blog, I complete...Like everyone else who reads your blog, I completely sympathise. Studying creative writing, people often ask me what I'm going to do for real when I'm done. Isn't writing enough? For money, they say. Something's gotta pay the rent. That's true, fo course, but the conception of "non-paid" work such as writing still needs to be rcognised, I think! A revolution is cooking!Privatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018596012893869692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-59057804318745445852010-10-22T00:20:19.377+01:002010-10-22T00:20:19.377+01:00It must be VERY annoying, you must have to be so m...It must be VERY annoying, you must have to be so motivated to write, but also scary, not knowing when the next pay check was coming in, I would imagine you would be scared to take a day off!Elizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810638337124194629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-35322351871852886972010-10-22T00:14:11.228+01:002010-10-22T00:14:11.228+01:00Tch... It's the same for comic artists too, it...Tch... It's the same for comic artists too, it can take up to five hours (sometimes more) to do one decent page and people think they sleep all day.<br /><br />I've never been asked the question, but I've had people hinting that it's a piece of cake. I just say 'have you tried to do it and finished?'<br /><br />Never had a yes yet.OSMWyliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18425055171555115527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-76321941631539687342010-10-21T23:33:14.384+01:002010-10-21T23:33:14.384+01:00And this is another reason I haven't told peop...And this is another reason I haven't told people I write yet! :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.com