One quick announcement! Monday is the Official Kissing Day Blogfest, hosted by Sherrinda at A Writer Wannabe which means I'll be posting a Snippet from my Wippet all full of kissage-and so will a lot of other talented bloggers--Monday is going to be fun times!
So there's been a lot of talk lately on the internet about author branding-where you create your author identity/brand--the thing that everyone can expect when they visit your blog, or your website, or read your books or stalk you on twitter--it could be snarky humor, self deprecating, inspirational, straightforward, philosophical, whimsical, pop-culture obsessed, Frankie is Awesome ;) and 100 other things, but whatever it is--it's you.
Well, I'm not going to talk about that.
What I'd like to know is your author identity/brand in the real world and life. I just discovered two of my fellow online writer-bloggers whose blogs have been picking up a lot of steam in the short time they've been online have not actually told anyone who knows them in person that they're a writer.
I don't know why but this totally shocked me--because it's the total opposite of my world.
I will admit that I wanted to be a writer for years and I never told anyone. I worked on my book in secret, and spent a few years world building before I ever had the guts to mention it to anyone other than my mom and sisters. But once I made the decision to write this book (after I graduated from college) I stopped holding back--I was going to write this book--> I was writing this book--> I was a writer--> and I didn't care who knew.
Now, I might get asked about my book/how the writing is going/what chapter I'm revising/etc around 10xs a day. It's really common for someone to walk up to me and ask how I am and how the book is going in the same breath. Everyone who knows me knows I'm a writer and it seems like everyone knows where I'm at in my quest for publication-either from talking to me or reading my blog or both. This extends from my close friends to co-workers to coffee barristas and random people at Barnes and Noble...yeah the random people at Barnes and Noble know me and know I'm writing...
And you know what? I love it! Being a writer is a huge part of my identity--no it is my identity--I'm a writer, that's who I am and its fun being able to share that with everyone in my world. I was talking to Donna yesterday and she said something that struck a chord--she called me 100% Frankie--I'm always me, all the time. It fits.
I also like the accountability it brings--people are expecting me to finish my revision--online and in real life. It's like a constant reminder wherever I am to reach for my goals and give me an extra little push whenever things get tough.
So I'm curious about all of you. Which of you are writers in the closet? Who is living out loud as a writer? If you're not telling anyone you're a writer-why not? When will you? Or won't you?
For those of you who are like me, what do you think about everyone knowing about your goals? Does it help you, inspire you, or make you nervous? Anyone have an experience that's in between?
Basically, what is your author brand in real life? Who are you? I'm so curious now. How does your online identity mesh with your online one? Do you ever plan to mesh the two?
Let me know:-)
Loud and proud, baby! The upside is that most people get soooo excited and are like "OMG that's so awesome! Can I read it?" The downside is the small percentage of people who pat you on the head for your silly little dream that will never get published.
ReplyDeleteI find that I tell everyone that I'm a writer because I'm so excited that I want to share it... but very very few people in life ACTUALLY want to hear about it often. So I spread the love to acquaintances and strangers.
And I won't feel like a failure if I don't get published right away. ('Never' is not a possibility in my mind right now.) It'll suck, but my passion for this whole world will keep me going!
PS - My word verification was 'podlygaz' -- seriously, what are these people smoking? It sounds like a creature Luna Lovegood would look for!
LOL :) I was, in fact, wondering something very similar. I ran across a comment by Jim Butcher @longshotauthor about a year ago when his second serial got picked up that he could now make enough to work "full time" as a writer. It seemed odd to hear from someone who already has a series that's hit 7 books.
ReplyDeleteMy "day" job is as a videogame designer and CEO of a game startup. Thing is, though, by being a writer gets all balled up in that, it's not so much a separate identity. I do a *lot* of writing as a game designer, pages and pages of backstory, gameplay examples, world-building,dialogue an ddecision trees. The novelizations I work on feel more like a part of what I do every day, rather than something I am striving to make a career jump to.
Since all the "cool" kids seem to be doing it, my verification word is "sessest" which... well sounds like the drunken judge of a "sexiest" wet t shirt contest...
Donna-Wooohooo loud and proud-I'd expect no less from you, girl! Thoough you made an interesting point that I was thinking of using for a rant, except I hate rants so I'll just do it here. But one thing I absolutely can't stand is when someone asks me about writing--usually this is someone new and one of the first things they say is "Oh so you'll consider self publishing won't you?" And my reaction is always like WTF?
ReplyDeleteNow I'm not knocking self publication or people who do it, and self publication does not equal failure. BUT, that is a common perception out there and many people think this, so when they are asking me about self publication it really translates to, oh so you have a little back up plan for when you fail.
I just kind of look at them funny because first of all, failure is NOT an option and second, who are you to question my possible success or lack thereof. That just makes me nuts. But for the most part, its not the case, I've been very fortunate to know a ton of people who support me and are waiting for me to make those Shakira, Britney Spears and Jessica SImpson videos.
Kimberly, thanks for sharing! That's awesome when you can meld the identities together so that its not day job and then writer job and crazy about Jim Butcher---its amazing how many writers don't get to be writers full time and when your published that many times how do you meld the two? very interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlso I guess because this is my blog I don't get a word verification, so I can't join in with the cool kids and their cool word verifications- le pout!
I loved this post :D I am who I am on the web and in real life. I just started telling people I'm a writer, other than a couple close friends, about 8 months ago, after I finished the 2nd draft of my first novel. I'm finding that I really like it. And I totally agree with the "being accountable" that you mentioned. It makes me think about writing all the time and write a lot more than I had before. It's like the more I say it, the more I believe it. It really is becoming me, not what I am, but "who" I am. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWe are so alike Frankie :-) I've been "out" about my dreams since I was about 5, haha. And I'm still very upfront about it today. In fact, when someone asks "how are you?" I automatically tell them about how my writing is going. "Oh, I'm great-in revision now. Have a new project in mind..."
ReplyDeleteI've found it to be incredibly motivating. Knowing how many people know what I'm going for is what kept me going during some of the weeks when writer's block tried to rear its ugly head!
Though I will say this: I will no longer be telling people details about WHAT I'm writing. Watching people's eyes glaze over when I say the "F" word (fantasy) can be quite discouraging! But I've realized that it's not their fault - they're just NOT my intended audience :) So from now on my token response shall be: "Oh, it's a young adult novel with a few little twists of magic." Boom. Done and if you want to know more read my book when it comes out thank you very much. (Though of course I'll be more detailed on the blog, because most readers are more into the same type of writing/reading!)
I came out of the closet with my writing about a year ago and it has been amazing how motivating it is to have it out in the open. There is something about people asking me questions about it and keeping me accountable that spurs me on. I find that I can be alot more vocal about it online than I can in person. I do feed my twitter and blog into FB, so alot of my family and friends now know EVERYTHING going on with me and writing! lol Scary. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your kissing scene on Monday! Thanks for spreading the word!
Bethany--yay I'm glad you enjoyed. And yes Im glad you feel the same way, the accountability thing is really important-especially when you set yourself a crazy deadline like I do all the time and then get reminded about it all day long--there's no escaping, but I don't want there to be.
ReplyDeleteSara---hahahhaha I get that feeling that we are-itll be crazy if we meet in person one day. And oooh yeah the dreaded F-word--fantasy. I never really explain my world, usually I do the elevator pitch bc I know anything more is too much info. Do you get "Oh so you're the next JK Rowling?" it's a much better response than the self publishing one, but still like ummmmm well I don't know that's kind of out there, but yes thats the plan.
Sherrinda, yes I do that too! And Im excited for kissing day!
Okay is there room for an in-betweener?
ReplyDeleteOkay my blog personality is me completely. I AM a Princess and my love for writing is easily seen in the blog itself. My personality, annoying sometimes I know, of being sweetly southern is truly how I am in real life. As for the admittance of the writing.. for me its a little different. My whole family just 'expects' me to write, paint, or sketch even though my day job does not require any of the above.
My friends from college & high school have always expected me to write - they all just tell me they are waiting for my best seller so they can get it autographed! lol As for strangers..the FEDEX/KINKO's crew here knows for sure due to printing pages...and some of my clients from work know.
It has only been recently that I have truly proclaimed it to like everyone!!
Well, now that I re-read this comment I realize yeah, my blog persona is a pretty good indication of what you get when you meet me face to face...I am someone who has always wanted to write, has always written secretly & publicly, I am someone who is hesitant about sharing my work due to making it a reality is exhilarating as well as terrifying, it is due to this community of writers that I have rediscovered the confidence I once had as a teen ready to take on the writing world. ;o)
oh & Frankie - the TAG thing- GEEZ. I should have it up tomorrow - though I gave it a shout in my award post a minute ago. ;o)
I am really an in-betweener, despite my post about being in the closet. However, I just hung up from my Mom and I told her! Big step for me and she was actually supportive.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is totally who I am in real life. I'm a pretty mellow person, and I wish I were witty. I fret over things and am afraid of failure, but I know that failure can be expected and is not always a bad thing. You learn when you fail.
I've slowly started to tell people in my immediate circle about what I hope to accomplish and they know me well enough not to ask how the book is going. They know that I'll tell them, and I do.
I'll be taking part in tomorrows kissing blogfest and am SO nervous. It will be the first time that anyone (besides you, of course) has read any of my work. Yikes! I am actually quite terrified.
Yay Kelly, I'm glad you told your mom and she was supportive and that so many of the people in your life are too. And I'm excited for the kissing tomorrow especially since I never actually got to read up to a part where they do kiss-though I will very soon--exciting!! You'll be great.
ReplyDeleteHi Frankie, found you via Natalie and Sherrinda.
ReplyDeleteI've been a writer forever, but the fiction writing identity is becoming more solidified since I started blogging. You are right, there is something about announcing to the world that makes me feel accountable.
Looking forward to Monday's fest!
It was always kind of difficult to hide the fact that I was a writer to my family. I was, and still am, always writing.
ReplyDeleteI think they caught the drift :)
Hi Tricia---glad to have you here-welcome.
ReplyDeleteVS-haha yeah that may have tipped them off.
Okay, so you already know this (methinks I might be one of the people who inspired this post) but here's the thing. I'm not a "closet" writer. I compartmentalize my life. Meaning, I group people into categories, and decide how well I'll let them get to know me.
ReplyDeleteMy husband (who is also my best friend) knows everything. After that, my parents know pretty much everything--though sometimes I time when I reveal things (like not letting them read pages until I was REALLY comfortable with them). My sister knows almost nothing, but that's her choice, not mine (we don't really get along). And some of my relatives are aware of my blog and therefore my writing.
But then there's my friends. I have several kinds of friends. Ones I've known since I was a kid, ones I met as a teenager, ones I went to school with, and ones I've made since I've been married. They all know varying degrees about me based on my relationship with them. Some know I write. Some don't. It's mostly the newer friends that don't know, but that's because they're the ones I have the least in common with. I still love them to death, but they're mostly suburban housewives who don't read and would think I was bragging if I said I write. But they don't need to know that I write. It's not the kind of thing that comes up in our conversations.
As far as my blog, you see me, my personality, and a pretty accurate picture of what I'm like. But it is still compartmentalized. There's certain things I won't discuss online: my religion, my financial status, very personal things about my past (certain health issues I've had, etc). It's not about hiding who I am, it's just that I feel very strongly that there's a time and a place for such things, and a blog isn't it.
So I don't know if that answers your question, but it's the best I can do. :)
I like to think that being a writer is my secret-life. Kind of like James Bond but way hotter.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't tell people because I hate explaining how the publishing industry works and then getting the inevitable question, "So, your books like Harry Potter?"
When I do tell people, they are usually really awesome and really impressed. I also like the idea of one day walking into work and announcing that I have a book deal and everyone being shocked!
Plus, I don't like most people that I've forced to deal with on a daily basis so I have no desire to extend that time by talking about writing.
I like your blog. We can say we met on kissing day even though it's not kissing day for you yet.
I let some people know, and if I'm writing and anyone asks what I'm doing I'll tell them. I'm post blog updates on Facebook and posted my progress all throughout NaNo...so yeah, I guess I'm out and proud :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, it definitely gives me a sense of responsibility. I don't want to have to say, a year or two from now, that I didn't finish. And I don't want people to ask me where I am and have the answer be the same as the last time I saw them. So that definitely keeps me motivated.
And thanks for telling me about the Kissing Day! I might participate...I've got some good kissing scenes.
Shannon-That's interesting about compartmentalizes your life--I used to feel that way too like I could only reveal certain things to certain people and that there was belly dance Frankie and vegan Frankie and writer Frankie but now I don't bother-everyone knows I'm all of these things.
ReplyDeleteJade, hahahaha yes we met on Kissing Day-Love it! Even with the time difference.
Heather-yay I can't wait to see your kissing scenes!
Oh yes, living life fully out of the closet, but I'm learning to hold back some. Most often, the conversations start like this:
ReplyDeleteThem: So you're a writer? How cool! What do you write?
Me: I write young adult paranormal/fantasy.
Them: OH, huh. What is that exactly?
Me: [offer explanation]
Them: Oh, I see. I see. So no adult stuff, then, huh?
Me: *sigh* not really.
Them: That's a shame. I bet you'd be good at it.
Me: Yes well...
Them: So you have a publisher then?
Me: It doesn't really work that way.
Them: Oh, that's too bad. Well, I hope you can publish some day. Maybe.
So, while I love telling people I'm a writer (I don't know why...masochist, perhaps), I'm not all that fond of their reactions that seem to hinge on the fact that I can't claim Oprah has chosen my unpublished book for her bookclub. *sigh*
Most people who know me well know I'm a writer, and sometimes it makes me nervous (mostly when they tell other people) but mostly it just makes me feel more like me. A little unique, in my high school few people know what they want to do, or who they want to be, at least few people want to talk about it. But I know, and having my peers know is helpful sometimes. I think my online self and my in person self are the same, I may be a smidge more witty online, but for the most part, I am who I am.
ReplyDeleteLove it! We're with you, Frankie. My real life friends who read the blog always say it's like talking to me on the phone! I love that. What you see is what you get with the two of us!
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all in hiding from my family and friends--I have regular updates to facebook with my writerly progress. What I'm working on. How my revisions are going. Wordcount--daily and total for the MS. But I was shy to embrace the "I'm a writer" label. When people asked me what I did, for a long time, I just said "Ah, uhm... I don't?" It's only been the last couple of months that I've been able to say "I'm a writer" when asked this question. But at the doctor's office, when I filled out paperwork, and it asked about my employment, I still put N/A. Maybe I should have put self-employed? I don't know. I guess I'm still a little bit awkward about it-- one foot in, one foot out, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteOne of my goals is to live authentically, whatever that might mean. So, yes, if someone asks what I do, I say I'm a writer. It's who I am, it's what I am. There's no getting around it!
ReplyDelete