One of the things this group has helped me do is to just say it. To say that yes, I am a wr..wri…writer. No, I’m not going pro anytime soon, but after years of denial, it feels so good to finally be around like-minded women who share my passion. Still, though, I don’t share this with any Joe-shmoe.
So last weekend we went swimming over at our new neighbor’s house. We were doing the normal get-to-know you chit-chat when the guy and I started to talk about films. He seemed to have quite a bit of knowledge when I said, “Yeah, I’m a writer.” Actually, I’m sure I threw in a “kind of” before the “a writer” part, but nonetheless, I got it out. And boy did it feel good…for about 1/10 of second when he replied, “Oh yeah, my Dad’s a writer.” Hmmmm. “What does he write?” I asked. Turns out this guy’s Dad is a legendary screenwriter, producer, and did I mention…an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker!! Right. Ok, did I just tell this guy I was a writer?
Ok, I know I’m still a writer and this is a God-given passion. I know that I need to just learn from those who have walked before me. . . I know, I know, I know. But that was a BIG bite of humble pie and as bitter as it always tastes, it usually keeps me from going back for more. I don’t want to cower in the midst of more serious writers, more successful writers, but like some of us say in our group, “Who am I kidding?”
How do you all react to more successful writers? Do you ever find yourself “playing down” your writing to those people? Share a humbling moment 🙂
June 27, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I love that you met the son of an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker! Maybe you’ll get to work with him some day. My humbling moment came when meeting Mary E. DeMuth at the women’s retreat. She asked me what I wanted to write, and I downplayed my desire and fumbled for words. Came across as very unprofessional. And embarrassed!
June 29, 2008 at 6:36 pm
let’s just say i am too chicken to keep up with bloglines or whatever blogging tracking stuff several others in this group use because I don’t want to check it everyday to see 0 views.