When A Writer Becomes "A WRITER" . . .
One of the blogs I've just begun reading posed this question: "Do you think experiencing publication could make you uncomfortable?"
But, hey… Don't all writers long for the day their book is published?
Maybe they do long for that day but some have problems handling it when it arrives.
Debbie Maxwell Allen, from Writing While The Rice Boils, published a post about Tahereh Mafi who recently had publishing success with her YA novel, Shatter Me.
Debbie's post, How Will Publication Change You?, says that Tahereh's experience of being published has made her:
"Uncomfortable with the recognition and adulation that comes from publication.
"Unsure what to say when people exclaim over her accomplishment.
"And uneasy that some writers might feel she's on another level from them just because she garnered a book contract."
Debbie urges her readers and I'm now urging mine to read Tahereh's post, On Being A Real Writer.
After much humor, that covers much suffering through the aftermath of the publication of her first book, she says:
"i tell people i write books and they look at me like i've said something remotely amusing, like i've said something in another language that, roughly translated, actually means "i couldn't get a real job." it's only when they realize that i have an actual book in an actual bookstore that they suddenly look at me like "oh, god, i totally thought for a second that you were one of those loser 'writers' who hasn't actually published anything, lolol, my bad, my bad, you're cool, carry on." and oh, it's so gross, guys. i hate it so much. i hate the implication that you can't be a real artist without having sold something. i hate that we don't appreciate struggling artists until they've "made it," i hate that writers aren't appreciated until they're "published," i hate that musicians are pitied until they "get that record deal." because there's no such thing as a stamp-of-approval. and i hope you guys know that."
If you're a writer, you should read the full post.
If you know a writer, you should tell them to read the full post.
Oh! Don't forget to read all the Comments…
Hope you'll return here and let us know what you learned :-)
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Tagged: author, Debbie Maxwell Allen, publish, publishing, Real Writer, Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi, writer
