#IWSG: Being a "Real" Writer

In the immortal words of John Lennon, "Another year over…and what have you done?" (Well, close enough anyway).
In 2015, I did quite a lot actually. It was a year of firsts for me, which is pretty exciting since I'm now 44, and well past most of the firsts in my life. My first published novel. My first short story included in an anthology. My first turn as guest author at a con. My first book fair behind the table. My first radio interview. My first poster in a Barnes and Noble windowMy first royalties checkThough I've played at writing more and less seriously off and on my whole life, it all felt much more real this year. I'd say 2015 was my first year as a "real" writer. For me, the moment I first felt like a real writer was was when I realized I could introduce myself as a writer and then point to a publication out there in the world, rather than talking about the unpublished stuff I've written. 


So, now I've got to keep this up. It hasn't been easy. Getting a book contract didn't instantly mean I was able to give up my day job and concentrate solely on writing, so I definitely struggled this year to balance promotion and writing with my day job and my family life. As I move into 2016, I want to keep on becoming more and more real. 
Because even though I'm realer than I've ever been, it still doesn't feel totally legit. I still get a little of that fear. You know the one? Where the Scooby gang shows up and unmasks you as an imposter? 

So how do I become more real? 
I think I write more! I've got a contract for the sequel, Change of Life, and a planned release date of April 20, 2016. But I can't stop there. I'm 2/3 of the way done writing the three-quel.  And now, I'd like to get back to some of the other writing projects I've begun, and others that have just stayed in my heart and brain as ideas.  Real writers write, after all. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. 

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This posting is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop. To check out other posts by writers in a variety of places in their careers, check out the participant list. This group is one of the most open and supportive groups of people I have ever been associated with. If you write, you should check them out!