Hard to believe it's already the first Wednesday of a new month--where does the time go? If you're just joining us, IWSG stands for Insecure Writers' Support Group, and it's a blog hop hosted by the wonderful Alex J. Cavanaugh. Visit his blog to sign up and participate as we share our worries and stresses about this writing life.
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| Clark Kent puppy www.123rf.com |
I'm not ashamed of the fact that I write, or ashamed of what I write. I just haven't wanted to talk about it much at work because of an irrational fear that I will no longer be seen as a professional. My co-workers have in no way contributed to this fear, but it exists, nonetheless. I really dread the day my students find out, because I imagine (again, irrationally) that the news will only serve as a distraction. I hope I'm wrong.
Most of my family and friends know that I'm a writer, but there is still a sizable contingent of people who have no idea. I've always been a fairly private person, so it is not out of character for me to keep things close to the vest. I guess I'm still trying to figure out how to talk about this part of my life with people who have already slotted me into a defined category.
What about you? Do you have a separate 'writer identity,' or are you an open book?
I definitely keep my private life and writerly life separate. In fact, my family don't even know I've signed a book contract. They think my writing's a cute hobby. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteWon't they be surprised when they find out how great you are! :)
DeleteCurrently my writing is so private even I don't know I'm a writer... 0_0
ReplyDeleteSilly woman! I'm sure having the slowest beta reader in the world doesn't help much :)
DeleteYep, I hide behind several identities. None of which are my true identities.
ReplyDeleteYEP- I keep A LOT about my writing life under wraps from the people in my life. Most in my circles don't even know about my blog. I have a feeling they would mock me mercilessly if they knew about it.
ReplyDeleteFunny, my writing has become like some dirty little secret, when in reality, it's nothing at all to be ashamed of!!
I hope they wouldn't mock you, but I definitely understand that fear.
DeleteI use my own name, although have since discovered that there are now three professional Yolanda Renee's - so I guess I'm in good company! Although, only my first and second not last name - so maybe I am incognito.
ReplyDeleteMy family knows I write, but could care less - which isn't unusual since my existence has always been separate from them anyway. There was a period of 17 years where I saw nor heard from any of the them. It really hasn't changed.
Immediate family, hubby and sons especially - now run from the room the minute I say - listen . . . :)
You're hiding in plain sight! :)
DeleteI am attempting to integrate the two. It's no big secret any more, but last year I had to keep the two separate because of my day job. It's kind of freeing to mix them together.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that! I feel a little better about the news getting around...
DeleteI'm totally an open book and people are fine with it. they love to hear about my writing and books and how well I'm doing. I used to be self-conscious about the material in my book since parts are so violent, but seriously, I had nothing to worry about. Having said that, if you don't feel comfortable about sharing, then don't, but if you're working toward publication, you'll need to really put yourself out there to connect with potential readers. It gets easier. You'll see.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you again! I'm one of Alex's minions this month.
Thanks for stopping by, Nancy! :)
DeleteI'm so not an open book. I have a complete online identity that serves as writer and its not because I'm ashamed either, not at all. I am very private for one but I have too many people in my family who are downers and who like to make fun of people who try to put themselves out there, so why give myself an extra headache if I don't need it?
ReplyDeleteI think its awesome that you are starting to let your news out. Maybe I will one day too, maybe lol
I'm sorry your family isn't supportive of you :(
DeleteMine don't quite know what to make of my writing, but they're excited for me, which is nice :)
I've heard others with the same reservations. And I think it's a valid reason for using a pen name, if you decide that is what's best.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm an open book. I have trouble enough maintaining one persona. There's no way I could do two.
It helps that I'm not trying to put on a different personality--I'm still just me, but there are things I talk about with some people and not with others. As I said though, the Venn diagram is starting to overlap to a greater degree--pretty soon, it'll just be one circle! :)
DeleteI'm sort of in the middle.
ReplyDeleteI use a pen name because my real name is rather blah. To make it roll off the tongue better, I would have had to use my first and middle initials with my surname, and that's gender-neutral, which isn't good for marketing romance, so...
That said, most of my family members and friends know I write. I don't make it a secret, but I also don't talk a ton about it. People's eyes tend to glaze over after a while. LOL Non-writer people, that is.
Thanks for visiting my blog. :)
IWSG #118 until Alex culls the list again.
That was part of why I chose a pen name as well--my real last name is rather unpronounceable, and it would not have looked 'pretty' on a cover
DeleteFirst, the Clark Kent puppy looks like Digby, my daughter follows on Instagram. She shows me his pics everyday and we giggle. Some day, we're getting ourselves a Digby!
ReplyDeleteI write under Candilynn which is my first (Candice) and my middle (Lynn) names combined. Not such a secret, except for my FB account. No family allowed! Only writer peeps. There is one of my family members who is what I call a FB creeper. When I had a personal FB years ago, this person would creep on my other "friends" and it bothered me. So nobody in the family, including my kids or hubby know I have a writerly FB. It's my big secret. I feel sort of top-secret cool about it, too.
Very cool! I'll have to find your top-secret writer FB account :)
DeleteSecret identity? Secret identity...hmmm. No. I have absolutely no idea what is a secret identity or how could it help someone to write or be confident. Dragons do not have secret identities. We are just dragons who write with the dragon name we were born. ;)
ReplyDeleteDragons don't need secret identities--besides, I think the fire and smoke would give you away! :)
DeleteI do use a pen name, but only because I think it's better than my real name.
ReplyDeleteAnd back when I was teaching, the social studies teacher would be the one to tell the kids about my secret identity. So every now and then, I'd have a rush of students coming into my classroom exclaiming "You write books?"
I did manage to answer their questions, though, because hiding under my desk probably would've undermined my authority or something.
Hard to keep a secret in school, isn't it? :)
DeleteI've always loved the idea of a pen name. I suppose I could still create one if I ever get published. But then I'd have to change the blog and the FB page and... Guess I'm an open book :-)
ReplyDeleteI'll bet your colleagues and students would be excited to know an author!
Nothing wrong with being an open book, Deniz! :)
DeleteI don't talk about my writing much at work, either. But I'm not terribly close to my co-workers (in general) so I don't feel Clark Kent-ish in any way. Everyone that really counts- friends and family- know and for everyone else I'm fine keeping my professional profile low key.
ReplyDeleteI say that so long as the people who really count know- the good, bad and ugly of your writing- you're doing just fine.
So far, the people who are close to me know about it, and I'm happy with that :)
Delete