*headdesk*

[apocalypsos]

You know what? The next time any of my relatives who's not my grandfather or my brother steers the conversation towards my writing I'm going to start talking about football or CSI or something. If the rest of them think that I should give up the one thing in my life that always makes me happy even at its most frustrating just because I haven't been published yet, I really don't want to fucking hear it.

*sigh*

In other news, I borrowed Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk from my brother. I'm going to try to hit 65k first and then it's superhero movie marathon time. *beams*

Comments

[deathbymutation.livejournal.com]

Yeah believe me my family doesn't understand it either. At least my mother is trying to and is very supportive. She's moving us to another freakin' country so I can go to a better University for screenwriting.

I'm trying to write another 2500 before I sit down and watch Tropic Thunder.

[budclare.livejournal.com]

This is why I have never even mentioning writing to any of my family. (Well, that and the fact that I think it's none of their damn business.)

[skipthedemon.livejournal.com]

Um. You're employed. What are they complaining about?

[apocalypsos.livejournal.com]

My aunt started in on me because I said I needed a new laptop. "Oh, you don't need that, why are you wasting your time writing, if you haven't gotten published yet you'll never get published, you're obviously not trying hard enough, blah blah STFUcakes ..."

[skipthedemon.livejournal.com]

Right. Because a *hell* of a lot of writers don't spend years and years trying to get published. Whatever. They definitely need to STFU.

[apocalypsos.livejournal.com]

Well, it doesn't help that my uncle didn't take that long to get published AND got a huge advance. I keep trying to tell them that it's way out of the norm but no one wants to hear it. *shrugs*

[catchmyfancy.livejournal.com]

That's SO unfortunate that your uncle had that happen - it makes it that much harder for you...and I'd say you're threatening them somehow, for them to be so dismissive and evil about your writing.

I know you'll keep writing anyway, but hey - a little squeeing never hurt anyone - and I've been reading your stuff for a while now (just delurking to say hi) and I absolutely love it! You have such a deft, sure touch in your fics, they are a pleasure to read. I may never be the same again after reading the "Dean takes Home Ec" and "Dean writes romance novels" ones. I actually sent the link about Dean writing romance novels to a friend who is struggling to write her third romance novel (the first and second made it off the slush pile, but didn't QUITE get to publication - we have great hopes for her third) and she spurted coffee out of her nose and told me it absolutely made her day.

I just KNOW you'll get published at some point, and I can't wait to read the book, because your stuff is fabulous to read.

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I'm sorry. :-P

[elorie.livejournal.com]

"Really? I'll do that, right after you give up (insert their favorite pastime here)."

[norabombay.livejournal.com]

My family would be overjoyed if I took up writing. As hobbies go it is universal, easy, and safe. The only cost of the entire thing is the purchase of a computer every few years. A computer that you would be using even if you were not a writer.

But my family may not be your family :)

[renjifan.livejournal.com]

Some people just don't understand a passion.

I'm that way with my music. My mother is ALWAYS putting in her two (hundred thousand) cents when it comes to how "quickly" things get done when it comes to my music and I'm like "What?" because she doesn't GET that without it, I'd go insane and if I'm taking my time it's because I wanna do it RIGHT.

Talented people (and you are very talented) that live for what they do have a stigma that we're stuck with that most people don't get. They don't get that we NEED it to survive, even if it's not something that brings in the bucks or meets *their* idea of valuable.

Fuck 'em. Do what you do, and if all else fails, bring up the beauty that is the Obama family. There's always a discussion (read: gush session) when it comes to them :)

*hugs you*

[narrelle.livejournal.com]

I am unspeakably cross with your family!! There's this ridiculous thing that if you can't do a creative thing for money then you oughtn't do it at all. Maybe you should tell them all to give up golf/crafts/cooking unless they can do it professionally. Humph.

But beyond the fact that you can write for the love of it AND THAT'S OKAY, there are in fact plenty of examples of people who got published later in their lives. Lois McMaster Bujold was 40, I believe, when she first got published, and look at her go! I had my first book published when I was 40, and my fourth is now out. I'm not at all well known and I have not written best sellers. Well, not yet. I still have to have regular 9-5 jobs to pay my bills, and the writing is still more for love. But I do it, and I've never given up. I wanted one day to be published, and I have been, and I continue to be. The fact that it took me so long is neither here nor there.

Seriously. Very cross with your family. Print out my msg and wave it in their faces if you like. Smack your aunt with it if you have to. Your uncle being some strange Freak of Publshing Fairy Tales has got nothing to do with you and what *you* do.

Anyway, take this as a vote from someone who hsa been there - keep writing for the love of it, and if your aim is to one day be published, well it's never too late for that either - but you have to keep writing and keep your work out there for that to come to pass anyway.

Um. I am strangely emotional about this. Well, maybe not strangely, though my own family was more supportive (or at least they shut up if they weren't). I'm bristling here, all HOW DARE THEY and DON'T YOU DARE LISTEN TO THEM.

Oh well, if indignation from across the Pacific can give you a lift, please have all of mine...