Things Only Writers Understand

This weekend someone asked me if I write full-time; 40 hours per week and all that jazz. It’s not a question I’m particularly fond of answering — explaining that I do work 40 hours some weeks, 80 others, 5 still others and all of the varied reasons for that wonky schedule is, frankly, both more than I care to elaborate on and more than most people are looking to hear — so I went with the standard one word response: yes.

And then, because I was feeling frisky I followed up with a sarcastic little anecdote.

“Right now,” I continued “I’m writing a book proposal. Roughly translated this means I lock myself in a room and pound my head on the desk until words come out of the tips of my fingers like I think they ought to.”

They stared at me blankly as I sipped my beer in silence, washing down the awkward that was so thick I could taste it.

I’m glad I left out the part about almost being done which means next month I’ll spend 40 hours per week sitting by the mailbox chewing my own fingers off in anticipation and fear.

Some things only writers understand.

Tagged as: Only Writers Understand