Nobody takes me seriously

AUTHOR'S CORNER

NOBODY TAKES ME SERIOUSLY!

The other day I ventured down to my local bank, all I wanted to do was to open a regular current account - simple enough?  I sat down at the nicely polished, plush desk and smiled back at the elegantly presented bank clerk.  Although I already hold two accounts at my bank, routine questions were asked and I proceeded to answer as best as I could.  The question of 'work' arouse and I (being a proper published and sold author) happily and proudly replied 'I am a writer.'  The clerk looked at me rather smugly and she smiled an evil, condescending smile and said, 'So we shall put down that you are a housewife and that your hobby is writing!'  Taken aback, and not quite believing that she was doubting me, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and said 'No, I am actually a writer.'  She smiled and ignored me and carried on typing.  The next question was what I hoped for the short term future, I replied 'To sell more books,' to which she smiled smugly and said in delightful tones, 'So you still want to pursue your hobby?'  I explained once again that I am in fact a proper, PROPER!! writer and that I am in fact published.  She shrugged her shoulders and smiled sweetly at me.  The second question:  What do you hope to do for long term future?  Once again (and with gritted teeth) I set about explaining that I hope to be successful in what I do, which is writing and (before she had a chance to speak) I added that I am IN FACT published and doing quite well, thank you.  She smiled at me, nodded and then said, 'To carry on with your writing hobby!'

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

To any author who is reading this, does this sound familiar?  How frustrating it is when people refer to your work as a 'hobby' as if you are building model ships or painting a landscape on a Sunday afternoon!  And not just smug bank clerks who refuse to take us seriously, practically everybody else in the world holds the same view about 'writers'.

Even, and here is the shocker, most publishers and literary agents don't take us seriously!  I was at the London Book Fair not so long ago; just happily browsing around, soaking in the atmosphere and going to chosen seminars.  On the second day, I conjured up enough courage to get closer to publishers' stands and have a proper look at their books.  On first encounter (of my first stand) a rather posh, well dressed man approached me and asked if he could help me.  To which I replied 'No thank you, I'm just looking.'  He smiled at me and said 'Of course, please do,' then he asked, 'So You must be a literary agent or a buyer?'

'No,' I said, feeling quite flattered.  'I'm a writer.'  His expression changed, he took three steps back as if backing away from a poisonous snake and he said, 'A writer?  Oh well no, I will have to insist that if you want to submit a manuscript you apply through the normal channels!'  I didn't know whether to laugh or take out my novel and hit him over the head with it!  Needless to say, I walked away!

Family have no choice but to take you seriously, and that is only because they are worried about the backlash if they don't, and even when you do get published they just about acknowledge that you actually have a 'Real' job.  Friends try to  take you seriously, but you can see doubt in their eyes, even though they are saying all the right things.  And as for the wider community, other mums at the school gates, shopkeepers, doctors and the likes of them, well they just don't believe you!  And if they do, they think that you are making millions of pounds, and if you are not then you are either lying or you are no good!

Why don't people take us seriously?  Here's why:

1. People think that if you are a writer then you must be in the ranks of JK Rowlings, i.e. making millions and millions of pounds.

2. Friends think that calling yourself a writer is just a glamorous way to call yourself a housewife, or unemployed!

3. Your spouse thinks that all you do is sit around watching daytime t.v.

4. Family think that all you do is drink cups of coffee, smoke, socialise and have all the time in the world to do what you like.

5.  When people call round, or ring you, you always seem to be available, well dah!  Of course you seem available, you've just answered the phone or opened the door to them!

6.  People's idea of a writer is a famous, rich, intellectual sort of person; unless they see you on television interviews, listen to you on radio interviews, or see you driving around in a Rolls, they simply don't believe it!

7.  Finally, and this is the stupid one, you don't look like a writer!

I give up people, it is the curse that every writer has to live with....the price to pay for loving what you do!