Sometimes writers feel lonely …

Many writers talk about writing being a lonely business. There’s the “writing world” and the “real world.” The writing world is made up of going to conferences a few times a year, maybe a few book signings, online communities, and chatting with editors/marketers/agents a few times a month. If that’s all the interact you have … that does sound lonely.

The real world is the people you live with, go to church with, and interact with in your community. Often these people have no idea that you write. They don’t understand who you are, what you’re passionate about, and the fact you’re a little stressed because you have to write 2,000 words that day while they’re most concerned about picking out the best avocados.

As a multi-published author, I actually find it refreshing when people don’t know I’m a writer or understand my writing world. Just as important as my writing, I want to be known as a woman who’s dedicated to my husband, is passionate about raising kids who love God, and who’s active in impacting the lives of teenage mothers.

Years ago, when I was first published, I often got (secretly) offended when people didn’t acknowledge my writing. Just in the last year I had someone I went to church with for 14 years say, “I didn’t know you wrote books.” I had to laugh. I’d interacted with that person through the years and they just saw me for me.

In my “real” life, I’m usually not the one who spills the beans that I write books. In my real life, I have friends who could care less about the fact I’m a writer. I also have friends who are walking the same path and we can talk about “the business” honestly. I appreciate both!

So for those of you writers who sometimes feel lonely … my encouragement is to ask God to show you how to give and serve and love in ways that will make “real” life just as amazing and impacting as your writing world.