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A Novelist's Social Life

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RMatthewWare:

--- Quote from: Drew on May 04, 2007, 02:10:03 AM ---I'm published, but I'm not giving up my day job, or my night one.  People I hang with find it cool that I'm a writer, but that goes to the back burner very quickly.  They ask me what's new then conversation moves on to something else. 

--- End quote ---

That's the way I see it.  Most of my friends think it's cool that I write, but that's it.  They don't really know what else to say.  Others kind of change the subject real fast.  If I'm ever successful as a writer, it'll be a while.  From what I've heard you have to have at least three books out before you can consider retiring, unless you have a money honey or an inheritance.

Matt

the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:

--- Quote from: Drew on May 04, 2007, 02:10:03 AM ---I'm published, but I'm not giving up my day job, or my night one.  People I hang with find it cool that I'm a writer, but that goes to the back burner very quickly.  They ask me what's new then conversation moves on to something else. 

--- End quote ---

The number of people there is actually space for the market to support writing full time is smaller than you might think; I've heard what I reackon are informed industry sources estimate it as forty writers for the entire US SF/fantasy market.

Drew:

--- Quote from: neurovore on May 04, 2007, 10:43:01 PM ---The number of people there is actually space for the market to support writing full time is smaller than you might think; I've heard what I reackon are informed industry sources estimate it as forty writers for the entire US SF/fantasy market.

--- End quote ---

Hence my two jobs.  I write for fun.  But it is cool two be in a crowd and have a friend ask about my books.

RMatthewWare:
Yeah, scifi/fantasy writers that make it are few and far between.  It's a reason I'm considering leaving Independence, MO.  Too much competition (okay, that's not the reason).  Seriously, you have to work darn hard if you want to make it.  You have to take it as seriously, or even more so, than your full time job.  You have to learn what the market is, how to do it, what's expected, yadda, yadda, yadda.  If you're willing to make it a passion, and you're smart enough, and talented enough, you might make it. 

I think it might be a paradox.  You have to put your life, heart, and soul into your work, but you also have to be able to shake off rejection and disappointment and you can't take yourself too seriously.  Sounds fun.

Matt

Richelle Mead:
I certainly still hang out with all of my pre-published friends, but I've also made a lot of published writer friends too.  Most of them are at the same level as me--1 or 2 books out--and it's great to be able to talk shop with people who are going through the same things with you.  I've also had the opportunity to hang out with writers several tiers above me--Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Charlaine Harris--and I can say with certainty that they are wonderful, perfectly normal people.  They love talking to fans, peers, whatever, and it's no big deal.

And while I can't exactly speak for authors of that caliber, I can offer this story.  A woman came up to me recently to tell me how much she loved my book, and she was clearly stunned to be talking to me.  She was really nervous and felt like she was bothering me.  But, dude.  She was a fan of my book.  That is awesome.  I would have loved to talk to her more; she was in no way bothering me.  I have to imagine the "big name" authors feel the same.

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