There have been a lot of these images going around Facebook lately. This one about writers is one of my favorites (along with the one about moms with Victoria Beckham, soccer ball on hip). How does society view you? How does your mom view you? But, of course, the real question is, how you do view yourself? What is your writer’s image?
Whenever I read a book, I always like to image the author as she typed the words I’m currently reading. Of course, even though I am a writer, I never imagine all the mistakes and rewrites and edits. I always seem to imagine the author holed up in a dark room, madly typing the words exactly as they are on the page in my hand. I’m sure the author would laugh hysterically if I ever told her this. Maybe she’d be flattered (I sure would).
When it comes to my own writer’s image, it’s not quite so inspiring. I try to imagine myself outside or near a window with my laptop on a cute little wooden desk, sitting in the perfect typing position, characters dancing in my head, writing away. In reality, I’m usually half passed out in bed with one eye watching the latest episode of Supernatural and a half a click away from Facebook (where I come across funny pictures that make me ponder life’s questions).
As I type this (on my phone) I’m in the car driving from Arizona to Colorado, where I will be living in a couple of days. That’s what got me thinking about it. Where I lived up until today, there wasn’t much for writers, but when moving to a bigger city, my first thought was, “How many writer’s groups are there?” I was thrilled to find out a large group and yearly conference was just outside my new doorstep.
Local writing groups are my guilty pleasure. Being a part of a professional, focused bunch of peers makes me feel more professional and focused myself. Attending meetings and mingling with other hardworking writers somehow begins to change my image of my writerly self. Suddenly I see myself more like the writer I dream of being, which subconsciously leads me into being more like that writer in real life. Motivated. Awaited. Confident. Inspired.
We all know there’s no such thing as the writer who leads the uninterrupted, perfect writing life we like to image, but doing what it takes to create a healthier writer’s image of yourself gets us just a little bit closer.
How do you view yourself as a writer? What inspires you to be more like the writer you want to be?
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
pjgracecommunity
May 28, 2012 at 5:04 am
Being in touch with my feelings , finding a state of happiness works for me , linking words to thought , then let it explode on a piece of paper.
Jamie Raintree
June 3, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Sounds inspired to me!
Rebecca
May 29, 2012 at 11:07 am
How do I view myself as a writer? Depends on the day
Somedays I can get a few thousand words in and my fingers are aching trying to keep up with the scene in my mind. Other days, like today, every word I put in front of another is just wrong.
There aren’t a lot of writer groups in this area, at least ones you don’t have to pay to join. I’ve tried starting my own, but nothing panned out. So, for me, I use the Internet to connect with other writers, to feel a part of their community.
The biggest thing I do to feel more writerly and to follow in the footsteps of my favorite authors is to write every single day. It doesn’t matter if it’s a few words or a few hundred or thousand words, I just have to keep writing. Thanks for the post, it was definitely thought provoking
Jamie Raintree
June 3, 2012 at 11:38 pm
I always strive to do that but somehow I just can’t seem to do it. One day, something will get in the way of my writing time and then another day passes and another. But now that I’m getting settled in my new home, I want to start focusing on writing like I have for my job in the past–so at least every weekday.
Tonia Marie Houston
May 29, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Like Rebecca, I haven’t found any writer’s groups in my area. I would love to be part of one. An old friend from junior high asked if I would be interested in a writer’s retreat. We wrote books by hand in junior high and I love that we’re both pursuing this dream, if a little later in life.
I would love to write “full time” but I snag what time I can and tell myself that if I keep pushing forward, I’ll be there. My typical writing time is late evening, after everyone else is in bed. It’s interesting because as a mom of three, I’m the first up as well.
My image of writers has changed in the last year as I’ve come to know others through online communities. Every writer I admire has one thing in common- perseverance. You have that in loads.
Jamie Raintree
June 3, 2012 at 11:44 pm
Thank you, Tonia! You make my heart smile.
I love the idea of doing a writer’s retreat with your friend! You should definitely do it and tell us all about it!
bwtaylor75
May 29, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I see myself as a work in progress, in all aspects of my life, not just writing. I want to learn new things and as a result grow as a person. Writing has opened my eyes to a whole new world of mostly positive people and experiences. I can’t imagine not writing, and if I’m writing I’m probably listening to music.
I’m with Tonia, perserverance is key. And I have a ton of respect for all the mothers out there who write instead of sleep. You inspire me.
Jamie Raintree
June 3, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Lol! Oh, how I miss sleep.
But you know just as well as we do that writing is more rejuvenating than sleep.
Heather Reid
June 3, 2012 at 5:24 am
Awesome post, Jamie! I hope your move went well and you’re getting settled in.
Like Brian, I consider myself a work in progress as well. I wish I saw myself as organized, prolific, diciplined, able hammering out excessive word counts every day without batting an eye…but in reality, I’m like everyone else, strggling to balance my life with my passion. Some days I achive my perfect view of a writer and others, well…what can I say? Like my characters, I’m flawed. Every day is a new day. I’m always thinking about writing even if I’m not physically in front of the keyboard and I always meet my deadlines. It’s about keeping your eye on the goal and not letting anything (especially yourself) get in the way.
Jamie Raintree
June 3, 2012 at 11:53 pm
That last line says it all. I think we get in our own way more than anything else does!