Ok, So how many people are actually writing/harbouring a novel/short story/etc etc?

[gordoncomstock]

If I'm completely honest with myself the thing I'd love to be in all the world is a writer. I've fannied about dabbling in other stuff for too long to remember but I keep coming back to wanting to write.

I've never admitted this to a soul before, I'm obviously a namechanger even though no one knows who I am here anyway. One of the reasons I've never 'come out' is that is seems that everyone is writing a novel and to admit likewise is just a bit, well, wanky.

I know I should just get on with it but I couldn't bear to fail at this. I think I could be good but I just don't feel I can risk it.

So. As I'm curious to see just how many people are writing, whether it's thier official job or just something they love to do. Is it your little secret or are you quite open with all this?

Do tell.

(GC glosses over the lack of talent displayed by this post...)

3.13 am ! Are you in the UK ?

I share your sentiment entirely. I have written a couple of short stories but would love to write what I would call a suspenseful psychological/crime novel. Just trying to polish up a few ideas for that atm and come up with an outline that's feasible.

I'm a sahm and try to do this in the mornings while my youngest is at nursery. I don't broadcast it widely but one or two of my friends know.

What are you writing/planning ?

yeah, ok, would love to be perceived as tortured soul but living abroad so posting at an entirely reasonable time!

nospringchicken - is it just me or does it seem that everyone is writing? I don't know, it just seems that post new year there is this slew of 'lose weight, stop smoking, write that novel' type articles. I would just feel like a fraud.

Anyway, bumping this for the morning crowd and those secretly completing their magnus opus on a lunch break.

I know what you mean about feeling like a fraud; but I keep telling myself that stories are written one word at a time...or not at all, so I try to keep going in my semi secretive sort of way. I'd love to knock out a first draft of my book before the summer, in a self vindicating kind of way, but real life intrudes ! My 4 kids keep me fairly busy, especially as dh travels a fair bit for work so it's just me doing school runs, teacher meetings etc.
Not complaining; I love having a sort of control over my day, or half day while the little one is out. I like my own company which I guess is fairly essential for all of us scribblers.

I know a friend of a friend whose dh resigned from work with a view to going freelance (IT) but was allowing himself six months to write a thriller. Not sure how he's getting on though !

Hi gordoncomstock. There are loads of writers and wannabe writers on MN. Come over to this thread here writer thread and join in, if you fancy.

Me. I've started my magnum opus about 5 times so far.

thanks for the responses - wilbur, I've looked at the writers thread but you all seem far more confident than me!

So, OrmIrian and Kerrymum, are you quite blithely discussing your work around the dinner table or are you crippled with insecurity?

I write: "official job" or at least part of it. Published several times over, fiction & non-fic.

You really, really have to need to do it more than anything, I think. It's a life of frustrastion, anguish and knockbacks.

And of being totally under-valued, and not wanting to smack publicists when they moan about being poorly-paid.

Frustration, that is. And typos.

UQD, but how do you get over the initial "this is what I do" thing? (this could entirely be me of course) I think half my problem is I'm married to an intellectual and I kind of think that successful writers are far more clever than me. I just can't get past that. (I know suspect this issue is about more than the writing thing but why can't I say to anyone else "I want to write"?)

Typos expected - abroad means wine o'clock..

Gordon, don't be stopped from doing it by fear of failing.
Like everything else you have to learn to do it - it's not just going to come out perfectly first time.
And in the end, if you are doing it because you want to write, not because you have some romantic idea of 'being a writer', then you will get a lot out of the process itself, regardless of whether or not you make it into print/end up on the Richard & Judy Book Club.

And yes, I'm another one that does it in my spare time - have had a few short stories published but nothing major. I completed a novel in my maternity leave - and am very pleased with having done that - and had it rejected a few times; working on rewriting at the moment (something like the 4th draft!).
Have had some very helpful support & good advice from MNers at crucial moments.

Look, you don't need to tell everyone. You just need to tell whoever it takes to make sure you get time to do it (dh or whoever). You don't need to say anything that makes it sound like you think you're some kind of genius - just say 'I need an afternoon a week because I really really want to write a novel, even if I never get it published.' No-one would feel they need to justify wanting to learn to do oil painting or playing the piano.

What kathy said.

At some point, if you really want to be published, you'll need to show it to someone. For now, just concentrate on doing it.

Don't give up any other work to "be" a writer. I know people who have been professional writers for 10 years and would be destitute if they had done this.

I've always written: I wrote a novel at the same time as my undergraduate dissertation ; I blogged my way through my phd . I think after all these years of doing it for no pay and not considering stopping even when I wasn't enjoying it very much, I have finally realised I am one of those people who is compelled to write, no matter how it clashes with whatever else I need. For instance money is a big hairy issue for me right now, but I can't work (long story) so... I write, and imagine I'll sell it one day. I wish I felt more confidence about this - that's partly why I joined wilbur's thread.

Gordon, I did have a 'friend' who once put me off writing for ages by saying she'd never write a novel because she didn't have anything that important to say. Now I think, it's only wanky if you do think you have Something To Say. Otherwise it's just, I dunno, like any other hobby that you do because you are passionate and it makes you feel good more often than not. I'd second what Kathyis6incheshigh said...

I have written several chapters of a "life" story.... but having spent time on MN, I now realise that what I thought was a traumatic school time, was nothing in comparison to what others have gone through. I wanted to tell my story so my Bullies could see that I've survived and am happy.

I have recently approached my mother about our family writing a book about my Dad's last year. We all experienced his dying, his death, but we all understood different things along the way, and experienced a massively different thing when he actually died. I thought that would be a good way of showing others that grief affects people v differently but you do get through it in the end.

Gosh, bit maudlin there, sorry. Anyway, between screaming children, life, work etc, I'm not sure it'll get done.

gordon - I have a story about how to refer to yourself when you wish and hope to be a writer, but are not actually one that earns money at it. When I got married, I had been writing freelance for a year, I had a made a little money but nowhere near a salary. Still, I thought I would put on my wedding certificate, since it was going to be around forever, that I WAS a Writer. Capital W. The person who wrote it out had doctor's handwriting, and so my marriage certificate actually proclaims me to be a Waiter. In fact, I was a waitress on and off for many years, and I am really good at it , and it's far easier to say that I am a good waiter than it is to say I am a good writer. Clearly my hubris in putting down that I was a highfalutin' creative type had to be punished. Anyway, just saying that I understand your feeling a little shy about wanting to write, but truly, if you love it, do it.

I've actually started writing in the last couple of days. Ever since I was at school I would write short stories etc and always wanted to write a novel. Thing is I didn't have any ideas for the sort of novel I thought I should write. I do however have hundreds of ideas floating around in my head for the sort of novel I am writing.

I gave the girls in the sanctuary my first two chapters earlier actually and got good feedback so hopefully it won't be a waste of time, though I'm not sure how writing in my spare time is a waste of time really, if I write it and am happy with it and a few people like it that's the same as an artist painting a picture and being satisfied isn't it?

Whether or not it gets published or makes me any money are seperate issues really.

lol wilbur, that's a fabulous story

Oh, I am definitely harbouring a novel. In the sense that I keep going at it - we're into year seven now - in defiance of all common sense and expectations and indeed financial sense too.

And agree with Kathy; the reason I am doing it is because writing it - two mornings a week with dd at the cm - keeps me sane and I want to finish it. What happens to it after that will make no difference to whether I write or not.

But would say also, that one of the things that has a) kept me writing and b) made my writing better is going along to a mutually supportive writers group where people all read their own stuff and talk about it. Sadly I left my last one behind when I moved, but it does make a real difference - and stops it from being quite such an antisocial pursuit. Right, back to rewriting while dd naps

thanks all - Wilbur LOL!

I suppose I just need to get on with it, I don't want to be on my death bed thinking 'what an arse, why didn't I?' It could be good or it could be bad, I'll keep it to myself and see how I get on.

Maybe see you on the writers thread.