I write therefore I am

I'm not knocking the benefit of such forums as this, but I've never really had the time to get involved in forums and regular blogs and online debates about writing. The reason is that I'm a working writer. This is not blowing a trumpet because there are those novelist that are lauded and famous with their latest novel earning a huge advance - and there's the working hack writing articles, bits and pieces while working on the novel that might one day... We can all dream.

But that's the problem and one bit of advice I'll give if I might. I used to work at my job and write as a hobby, dreaming of the day but collecting rejection slips, as we all do. That was until I received this same bit of advice. Change your attitude. I became a working writer first, while still working at my job to earn a living. It was after this change of attitude that I started to see opportunities to write and shortly after that, had my first article published, for which I was paid.

Now I'm a working writer and I suppose I'll have to get a web-site and join this electronic realm because publishers now expect you to have a site and the rest, but to be honest, I'm an opinionated bugger and this is just another chance to pontificate and above all, to write, because like most writers, nothing will stop us writing.  

Hello, Wrdwizard!

Welcome to The Writer's forums. Your story of moving from a person who wrote for a hobby to a person who is a working writer is just the kind of thing people like hear about!

If you have any questions about using the forums, please let me know. Or ask another forum member!

Martha Lundin

Martha Lundin, editorial associate for The Writer

Only question at the moment is how to get enough time. Not knocking these forums and the like, they are a great benefit, but working as a writer can be a precarious existence. One minute you're wondering if you'll sell something and the next, a bunch of editors you've spent ages smoozing all want something at the same time. I think it's called Murphy's or S**** Law,

On the other hand, that this can happen should perk up those having a lean time. Things change and then, despite no having the time, I come here to clear my head. Now I've got to write an article on a riveter and his mate who were trapped inside the double hull of the Great Eastern as she was being built. A thousand words before bedtime. WORKING as a writer

thanks for your wisdom! i'd like to pick your brain sometime, if you have time (not literally of course).

You are always welcome to ask a question. As a writer or in any other art, if you don't blow your own trumpet nobody will do it for you, so you've got to publicise yourself, so take a few minutes on sites like this. Then you've got to have an opinion because if you don't have an opinion you'll struggle to write attention grabbing stuff. And if you have an opinion, its no good keeping it to yourself. Right or wrong, agree of disagree - controversy sells

thanks for the advice. must be why i've never fit in, always find it creepy when people blow their own horn. makes me uncomfortable. my experiences are vast but few people know much of what i've done except those who were there. any time i've shared something personal with someone else i usually feel violated afterward, like i've given them something of myself that i shouldn't have. i only like talking about social issues and abstract thoughts. but that's just me. thanks again for sharing, but especially for taking time to do so.

Hello Wrdwizard,

Eliza says hello; it is lovely to meet you here; so unexpected.

This site need you and your wizdom,

Myra

My inspiration; what if?

Put pen to paper

Write now, not later,

Don't hesitate

Just write it!

Hi Myra

Just scouting around taking a break from slogging away - but my wisdom. Not sure about that