In a world where success is counted in tangible things (income and recognition being the biggies), outsiders sometimes view the journey toward publication as confusing, demoralizing, or even illegitimate.
In what other field is there such a thing as a positive rejection?
There are many who support our efforts, but there are some who either view the process as suspicious or our attempts as meaningless (because surely, by now, if that book was any good, it would have sold).
What interesting responses you’ve gotten from those who learn you’re pursuing publication?
I find generally people don’t see a difference between self publishing and traditional. There are quite a few in my town of self-published authors, so when I mention my book is coming out, I get comments like, oh, so-and-so wrote one too.
and so I blog to to connect with other writers.
Thus far I’v been very lucky. Everyone I’ve told has been nothing but supportive. My close friends don’t get what’s involved at all, but they are supportive–a little too supportive at times. As soon as I mention being done with an edit they ask if I’ve sent out all my queries already. If only…
Most people don’t get it, and I’m glad my family doesn’t ask a lot because it’s hard to talk about the road to publication with people who don’t understand the process. I save it for my writer friends.
I think a lot of my close friends and family are intensely curious. They really want to see how its done, and I get asked questions now like I’m some kind of expert. That, or they seem to shrug it off as another one of my weird pursuits.
I usually get a raised eyebrow and an “Oh, isn’t that nice.” Writing for publication is so far removed from what I used to do for a living, no one understands why I would have seemingly given up a fantastic “day job” for what I’m doing now. Needless to say, I don’t tell too many people.
I think most people who are “outside” the writing industry don’t really understand anything about the publication process. Even wannabes who love writing, but haven’t done their homework, tend to have a rosy picture of what it’s like. Recently I’ve been getting questions like, “Oh I’m a writer too, and how did you get published?” (As if there’s a three-step program!) I try to remain positive and encourage them to seek out agent blogs and start familarizing themselves with the industry.
As others have said, most people don’t really get the writing process. I have friends and family who are generally supportive, but their eyes kind of glaze over if I try to explain any of the details. Luckily, my husband is super supportive, and I have some wonderful writing friends (online and in real life) who I can commiserate with. Thank goodness for fellow writers!
Mostly people seem excited about it, but some (including my own father) think it’s just a little game I’m playing and one day I’ll decide to be a grown-up.
Most people I tell have a very…interesting reaction which is why I don’t normally say anything. I’ve always had a book in my face and loved school growing up so, my family was not as surprised as some of my friends. Most of my friends don’t get it because I already have to write so many papers for the classes I’m taking, they wonder why I’d give myself more “homework.”
Love reading these comments. Interesting.
I try not to talk about my writers with “non-writers.” Most of my friends are logical and work in science or technology and are use to “deliverables” and project plans.
So when I do talk about my writing — they can’t quite understand why since I have a draft that I don’t just turn it in — “they’re just words.”
Yeah right. If only if it were that easy, LOL.
when I first started writing, I was so zealous I told everyone. Then when the process got long and I realized I had a lot to learn as a writer, I stopped telling people. Only a few close friends really new. Now that I’ve gotten to the agent stage, I’m telling people again. The problem with that, I know, is that they will think I should have a book coming out in the next few months, right?
I don’t mind (to often!) admitting I’m not published when the topic comes up, but it’s amazing to me how many people desire to write a book. More often than not, when I say I’m a writer, the other person expresses that they too would like to write a book. I think it’s pretty cool!
Most is positive but fairly ignorant “So are you going to get that published?” As if it were between buying a new couch or keeping the old.
“Well I’d like to . . .someday, maybe.” And do you have any idea how difficult that actually is – I want to say, but I don’t.
And this is why the only “real life” people who will know I write before I get published are the people in my house. Not worth the time & trouble to explain 🙂
I’ve been lucky to have only very supportive responses. But I’ve also been very selective in who I tell. So it’s been a bit of a false positive in that way–I only share with those I trust the most! Of course, they tend to oversimplify the process and I feel I’m disappointing them each time we chat and I’m not published yet. You have to be on the inside to understand how excruciatingly slow everything is!
Some people think it’s a cute thing I do, not a real profession. (frustrating) Some people seem genuinely impressed by it. Some ask me why I don’t self-publish and get on with it. I’m learning that the most important thing is how I view my career as a writer, how I am going to discipline myself and how I am going to accept rejection and success.
When I first queried 3 years ago I actually got some positive feedback in rejections from agents. Some gave suggestions and those were helpful to finally landing an agent.
I’m glad my family doesn’t ask a lot because it’s hard to talk about the road to publication with people who don’t understand the process. I save it for my writer friends.
Work from home India