Musings & Thoughts for Friday, August 18, 2023, or: Sorry I’m Late, But…

Early Afternoon, Friday, August 18, 2023, Lithia, Florida

I’m starting way later than usual on this, the last day of the regular workweek, which is unusual for me because I usually begin writing my daily blog post between 8 and 10 in the morning – depending on my energy levels and if I have a specific topic in mind.

Well, today – yes, it’s another blisteringly torrid midsummer day here in the Tampa Bay area – I woke up at my usual time (shortly after 7 AM) and ate a quick breakfast (oatmeal and coffee) a bit later than when I have my café con leche and toast. I intended to start writing soon after that, but I couldn’t even think of a quick-and-easy topic…so…I puttered about on social media for what seemed an eternity, then did some stuff offline for a while, only to return to my desk and…not write.

Anyway, here I am, several hours behind schedule and – quite likely – in “today I will not work on my novel” mode. Unless I get motivated or energetic, I believe that this post will be the only long-form bit of writing I will do today, even if it means I must make up for the lost time tomorrow.

A Brief Follow-Up to My “I AM a Real Writer” Assertion

As you know, this week I was mortified beyond belief when someone informed me that, in their mind, I am not a real writer and basically compared my daily activity of sitting at my desk and, well, writing, to be more of a hobby rather than an occupation.

I’m not going to get into the details of this particular exchange, especially since that person’s opinion is just that, an opinion that is not based on facts but rather the notion that in order to be a “real” writer one must be either (a) a traditionally-published author with a contract from one of the publishing companies or (b) earn lots of money from one’s published works regardless of whether Hachette, Penguin Random House, or any other publisher puts them out or if one self-publishes them via Amazon or any other platform.

I asked several of my friends, some of whom are either writers themselves or were language arts teachers at my high school, if I am a “real writer” or not.

Here are some of the responses I got from them:

CM (I am not posting complete names to protect their privacy): You are a real and good writer.

AM: I can’t imagine anyone thinking you aren’t a writer. I’ve never known you as anything but. However, please know that you don’t have to cite awards, education, publications, or other accomplishments to establish credibility. You don’t have to prove shit to anyone.

PA: I’ve known you for 20+ years because of your writing. That’s a prize in and of itself lol. But seriously, there were so many of us on Epinions that were damn good writers who inspired people. I don’t think we would have made it through if we weren’t. People who say things like that have problems in their own life that have made them bitter.

And last evening, as I was about to go figure out what I was going to have for dinner, I saw that one of my long-time friends from my Amazon and Epinions reviewing days, had posted a photo of himself with a copy of my novella, Reunion: A Story, which he had just received from Amazon.

People can and often will keep thinking whatever they want even when they are presented with evidence that contradicts their opinions. But…opinions are often based on feelings and beliefs, rather than on reality, and they’re subjective, not objective. That’s one of the earliest lessons I learned in school – that opinions may and do vary, but facts do not.

So, despite what naysayers believe, I am a real writer. End of story!