10 Reactions From Non Writers After You Tell Them That You are a Writer

In her post “10 Reactions From Non Writers…” Blondewritemore offers emotional support to writers. Since my blog “Reflections” offers support to bloggers, I wanted my readers to see that other writers know people who don’t understand our need to write. Blondewritemore offers us ten pieces of solid advice about how to deal with unsupportive comments.

Readers, if you think other writers could benefit from these tips and this emotional support, please share.

What are your experiences? Have you had to deal with negativity? If you have any tips on how to deal with unsupportive people and their comments, please share. I look forward to your views.

Share on Facebook

Bella Silverstein

How about saying something like, “I write because it connects me to others. It adds meaning to our lives. It entwines me into the larger sum of existence, along with those who went before me. It leaves a legacy for our children. One day I will die. My work will outlive me. Writing is an art, part of the humanities that enrich our souls. And sometimes our pocketbooks.” Then you can inquire what they do for a living, and whatever the answer is, plaster a puzzled look on your face and say, “Why?”

Reply to this message
bethhavey

Great post. I usually don’t offer that I write novels, but my husband often brags about me. (Why, there not published yet!) But we’ve all been there and the response I often get is — Oh, I always wanted to write a novel–like you can do it on a weekend. Like it’s so easy to create another world of people and experience and wonderfully wrought sentences. Thanks for starting my morning with a smile.

Reply to this message
gilliansnotebook

(PLEASE DELETE THE FIRST POST. TOO MANY MISTAKES and there is NO EDIT button on this site) . THANKS.

I made the mistake of letting someone read a project I was working on and he had NOTHING but negative things to say. I ripped up the story and didn’t write a thing for about a year later.
You HAVE to write what YOU want to write and WHY YOU want to write or else it’s a wasted effort. I can’t read anyone’s mind, and if I could, I STILL can only write what I want to write, not what someone else wants me to write. That’s why most of my stuff is online. One day, I will get the guts to copy a story of mine onto a document page and send it out. (Doing the reverse…document page to blog) makes my WORD freeze up.

For those who have nothing but negative things to say about your work, then ask them to find something else to do. :/ If one of these naysayers is into gardening, ask them if it would be okay for you to stop by and rip out their Tulips, Roses and Geraniums? Maybe then they’ll get the point.

Reply to this message
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi,
  I am so sorry that you had a bad experience. Many writers do have bad experiences on the Internet and outside of the blogosphere. That’s kind of why I wanted to re-blog that post to provide support for people that have had negative experiences.
  I did delete your other comment even though I could not find any errors in it.
  Thank you so much for following my blog. I look forward to getting to know you better.
  Janice
  
  Reply to this message
  - gilliansnotebook
    
    Hi Janice; 😀
    
    The mistakes were more prepositional than anything else. I’m having a FUSSY day. Knit-picking at everything.
    
    I’m using the rest of my sick leave to work on two projects. One fictional and the other semi-theological. But I’ve read my original source material over and realized that I’m NOT a theologian so I should write from a regular person’s perspective instead of trying to sound like I swallowed a Bible Commentary.
    
    The first is a WISH novel, as in I WISH I had done at least ONE of the things I’m writing about. This time, though, I’m going to take my own advice. As soon as I’m finished the story, I’m going to put it away and start something else. Then, when I’ve had time to forget what I wrote, I’ll take the story out and see if it’s worth the time to edit.
    
    Thanks for your encouragement!
    
    Reply to this message
D.G.Kaye

Number 2 reminds me of a funny I read somewhere: A famous author (forgive my menopause brain, I can’t remember who), was talking about being at a party with non writers and had heard so many times, “Oh, I should write a great book someday.” Then she was talking to a doctor who also told her that maybe when he retires he will write a book. She casually replied, “Yes, maybe when I retire from writing I’ll become a neurosurgeon! Snap! 🙂

Reply to this message
Janice Wald

LOL

Reply to this message
Meredith

These are great! It makes me want to do a post on the funny responses I get when I tell people I’m a blogger. My favorite one that I’ve gotten so far is “That sounds like fun, I wish I could quite my real job and become a writer!”

Reply to this message
Pingback: Inspire Me Monday Linky Party #29
Zan

The only place I write is on my blog but I know others who have faced negativity in this area. Thanks for sharing with Home Matters linky party. We hope you join us again!

Reply to this message
Richard Schulte

People you know might be mystified and indifferent, but there are many, many others out there in the wider world who understand the love of writing and enjoy the written word. Write for yourself, and for them.

Reply to this message
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi Richard,
  I was pleased to see your comments this morning since it was an old post. Actually, there wasn’t much since it was part of a reblog. Now that I self-host, the reblog doesn’t show. I’m glad you were able to still get the gist. Did you find this on Twitter? I started using a new plug in to get attention to old posts.
  Janice
  
  Reply to this message
  - Richard Schulte
    
    I clicked writing in your tag cloud.
    
    Reply to this message
    - Janice Wald
      
      ?
      
      Reply to this message
    - Janice Wald
      
      Hi Richard,
      I believe I read yesterday your response to the article was that there are many writers who love writing and understand writers. The reason the post resonated with me is that I don’t know anyone like that.
      My inlaws refuse to subscribe. My closest friends never ask about the blogging. I find this odd since it’s such a big part of my life. Do your friends and relatives ask you about it?
      Janice
      
      Reply to this message
      - Richard Schulte
        
        The vast majority of the people I know are indifferent. The boss where I work can’t understand the importance of a blog. I suppose we are different sorts of people. It’s hard for me to grasp.
        
        It’s sad, but my observation is that most people aren’t terribly curious or intellectually engaged. That’s just the way it is. However, in a world of 7 billion people, even a small fraction amounts to a lot. And those people who write and read have quite a bit of influence in this old world. It is what it is!