Probably more people know about my writing…now than at any other time in my life.
It hasn’t been easy. It’s not that I’m necessarily super secretive, it’s just that part of me – my writing – has been separate from my “day” job for as long as I can remember. With my work and schedule, I’m not part of a writing or critique group and I don’t have consistent Beta readers. I’m not in school or taking classes, and no one in my circle of friends shares my interest. Thus, I’ve gotten pretty used to working away on my own, and then unleashing on my agent when I’m done.
I think for most of us, writing is intimately revealing. I’m not necessarily like my main characters, or any characters in my books, but obviously I share my DNA with them. Many of my interests, thoughts, and questions become their trials and travails; their back stories and feelings. I think that’s why when I do open up about my writing, it’s easier to do it with strangers rather than anyone that I really know well, because it feels like those people – my friends, family, co-workers – will see right through to the “secret” me. They’ll learn things I’ve generally not felt comfortable sharing, and get a peek inside my inner workings. That’s particularly true with my day job. As much as I love it, is not a place I ever really feel comfortable discussing my “creative-side” – both as a matter of culture and position.
I don’t want to take this “guy on an island” thing too far. I have talked to more friends this year about my writing aspirations, and a few work peers do know how I spend my early mornings. My daughters are always asking how my writing is going, and my parents are still wondering when I’m finally going to be “successful”. I’m putting myself out there more, on Twitter, etc., but it still feels like a series of awkward first dates. Maybe that’s the difference between someone who is already published, and someone like me, who is still climbing the hill.
It’s a lost harder to hide once you’re on the top…
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