Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Acceptance (or not)

In my December Insecure Writer's post, I talked about how I got a disappointing reaction from a family member when I announced I finished a novel.  Yesterday, that same person told me how proud they are of me, and how they've been telling everyone how accomplished I am.

Wonderful, isn't it? 

It would be, except this person told me she's so proud that I'm going to graduate school so I can be a college professor.  I'm not.

I probably mentioned I would like to teach writing in the long run and am considering doing it.  I'm reading some awesome medieval literature to refresh my memory just in case I can do it later.  But it's definitely not something I'm doing now.  I'm not enrolled.  I haven't applied.  It's absolutely not something that's going to happen before my babes starts all-day school (in three and a half years).

I'm writing now.  That's it.  (I know you all know how huge that is.)

Luckily, I'm old enough that I can only laugh at this conversation and file it away in my mind so one of my characters can have a similar conversation a family member.  I am very proud that I had no reaction - no flushed face, no headache, no crinkled forehead, no emotional response during the conversation at all.  I just listened and didn't respond at all.  

I'm happy to report that I'm back in writing mode.  I cleaned my desk last night and then jumped back into a novel I started last spring.  I read it, edited it, and am excited to work on it some more today.





8 comments:

  1. I try not to talk about writing to people I know in real life. It gets too awkward.

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  2. People hear only what they want to hear...

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  3. Man, those family things can be so tricky. I had about 6 years I waited tables. During part of it I was in grad school and my mom ALWAYS focused on that, even though it was only active for 2 of those 6 years.... she was mortified I was waiting tables. They definitely focus on what THEY think success is. Wait until you are published--they everyone will be all proud, not having a CLUE what goes into it all ahead of time.

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  4. That's pretty hilarious. Someone's getting coal in their stocking. :P

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  5. Congratulations on getting back in writer mode and with the progress. On the other note, you are a much better person than me, because I would have said something to that friend. Guess I am still a bit immature on that front. But you should be really proud of yourself and yes, just writing can be really great. In fact it is awesome. Good for you.

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  6. It's a really good feeling to be deep in a work in progress, especially if it's just being edited. I'm proud of you, you seem like a real finisher of things. I'm more of a beginner of things.

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  7. Alex - True.

    Hart - Actually, I don't think getting published will cut it either. I'm OK with that. I know a younger guy that waits tables and is going to nursing school. It's clear his parents are mortified he wants to be a nurse - they tell everyone he's working at a restaurant. :)

    LG - Definitely on the naughty list.

    Murees - Thanks! I'm getting to the point where I can see where it wouldn't have made a difference if I did speak up.

    Rusty - I'm better at beginnings too. I have a stack of manuscripts with outlines at my elbow and about fifty half-read books on my shelf.

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