I’m A Writer

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

I don’t know how you feel about the question “What do you do?” I know I tend to get a tad uncomfortable when asked this. As an author, I’ve heard fellow authors lament about this too, so I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. 

When asked this, I will offer up some pittance of stammering not willing to answer that question with the phrase “I’m a writer.” I wouldn’t be lying, I am a writer. I even have one book published and am included in a couple compilation books. Yet for me, it’s the questions that often follow that first one. “Oh, what do you write? What’s the title of your book? Where can I find it?” 

Sigh. 

True story here for you. Last year someone asked me this question . . . “Is it a book I’d even want to read?” 

With a quick retort, I answered, “No you’d never want to read it.” And being the ornery one that I am, I changed the subject and asked the man a question about something else. I did have a little fun with that and kept my giggle inside as I stared and waited for his answer to my question I’d just asked him. 

Once he closed his dropped jaw, he stuttered and said, “Wait a minute. Why did you tell me I wouldn’t want to read it? Is it a bad story?” 

“No, but it’s not a story. It’s a book for other authors.”

His snarky question isn’t the norm, though. I do believe others are being kind when they ask what you write. I often don’t want to say the truth to them, but I often take on self-inflicted embarrassment once I’ve said out loud … “I write on my blog, I guest post, I’m writing and rewriting my third fiction story, but my fiction isn’t published yet.” 

I’ve received the puppy dog eyes, the slight downturn of their lips and the dropping of the chin as they’ve softly said, “Oh, I thought you were a writer.”

Non-writing people have no clue the number of hours we writers spend putting the words down on paper, then edit and chop massive amounts of words back out of the project all toward the best possible story we can write. Many who don’t write for a living think it’s no big deal—sit down and write. Done. 

I love Earnest Hemingway’s quote I think every one of us who do write have committed to memory: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

Sometimes it feels like it, am I right?

I want to encourage you today, though. As I share the exercise below with you, please know that I’m in the need to practice what I teach here. I need to do this exercise often. I’ll be honest and say that I’m not always a good listener of my own lesson, but the more I say it, the more I believe it. 

I want us to do this together and I want us to say the phrase out loud. Nope, don’t care if there is anyone else in the room with you—that’s even better. They need to hear it, too. Remember, I’m saying it out loud with you. Ready?

Point to yourself and say the phrase . . . you are a writer.

Great job. Let’s make it more personal in this next part. Take a good, deep breath and out loud say … I am a writer.

What? Can’t hear you, once again only louder …

I’M A WRITER!

Great job. Honestly, this has been a tough one for me after the odd questions and comments I’ve received over the last couple of years. But, it’s okay. I keep telling myself, it’s part of the training, girl. Chin up. You can do this. 

As I sit down to my computer or my notebook to write, I’m trying a new thing. Maybe this will help you as it’s helping me. I turn on my computer or open the notebook and say, “I’m a writer and now is my writing time.” Sometimes I have to repeat it a couple of times because the old devil wants to start an argument right then and there, but I don’t want that and I’ll just say it louder. It may seem silly, but if it works, it’s worth it!

Let me ask you this, friends … what do you do?

Ah, I heard you say it and I believe you. Yes. You’re a writer. Imagine that—I’m a writer, too. 

What about you? Have you struggled with this question as a writer? If so, what is your tip or tips to help you overcome those dreaded situations that leave you—the word slinger—without words? Please share below your helpful suggestions for us. 

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I'm a Writer, insight from @TickledPinkTam on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out! A writer of Romance—with a splash of sass. She’s also The Launch Team Geek helping authors launch their books and also a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors. Don't miss her recent book, LAUNCH THAT BOOK, just released in November. 

Her work was also published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. She’s also the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. She’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, MBT Monday Devotions, The Write Editing and more. Connect with Tammy at HTTPS://WWW.TAMMYKARASEK.COM.