It is now one week until I will be in New York for the RWA National Convention. For those that may not be familiar with the term, RWA stands for Romance Writers of America, and it is the the largest writing organization dedicated to the romance genre.
RWA Nationals is a writers convention versus a readers convention. Yes, there will be authors to do signings – always a thrill! – but it is mostly for writers to take classes, to network with other writers, to learn how the publishing business works, and certainly not least, to pitch to editors and agents in the hope of getting published.
I’m very excited about going, but right about now I’m also getting that little ball of tension in my stomach that signifies all the negative thoughts that exist as it concerns my writing. RWA Nationals has a way of bringing that on.
Just like trying to make a living as an actor or an artist, trying to make a living as a writer is a truly stupid thought. Forget being one of those handful of really rich writers, I mean just making enough so that you don’t have to work a day job as you write. To date – going to conventions, promotions, etc. – I have spent far more than I have made in trying to become a writer.
Then there is all the rejection you get as a writer. It’s the name of the game. The saying I’m most familiar with is “Right Desk, Right Day” meaning all it takes is one editor who likes your work for you to get published. However, waiting to get to that desk takes forever and you’ll get a lot of no’s between now and then.
And what do I get for all this money spent and rejection and the knowledge that even if I do get published, the odds that I’ll make enough money to survive simply on my writing income is still very small? I get people telling me that it must be nice to be a romance writer, it’s not real literature. I get to take time away from my friends and family and sometimes get attitude from them on why I’m not with them, it’s not like I’m published and am a real writer. I have my hubby – who is very supportive, don’t get me wrong – but he has no problem interrupting me while I’m writing, something I would never do when he’s working.
Usually I’m not so bad when it comes to the negative that comes with writing. I just shrug my shoulders and move on. Nationals has a way of bringing it out in me. Because I’m spending all this money, and who knows if I’ll get any return on it. Because I see all these authors who are in print, and I have to stomp down evil question, “Why them? Why not me?” Because I see the people who have been at this for years and have still not made it.
Oy. Sorry about being Debbie Downer today. It’s one of those momentary things which will pass in a couple days, and the excitement of all the wonderful things that will be going on at Nationals will start to rise up. I much prefer being positive to this ickiness.
To all the other authors I’ll meet at Nationals, please don’t be scared to talk to me. I promise, I’ll be doing nothing but smiling while there.
Tags: Career, Conventions, Danielle Monsch, RWA, Writer
