"I am a writer." I got that answer down when someone asks what I do. But just yesterday, I failed the answer to the follow-up question when my new physical therapist asked what I write, given him a bland "memoir and nonfiction response." So here's a redo: "I write about how family history impacts the present because I am fascinated by how we are shaped by those who came before us."
Annette, Your redo really spoke to me. I went right to your substack, where I could not resist the title "My House Had a Heart Transplant," which is a great story and led me over to your workshop offering.
Thanks for your feedback on my redo and for following my trail! If you could leave a comment on “My House Had a Heart Transplant,” that would be grand!
Hi Dan, A few months ago you wrote a post saying that oftentimes writers segregate that creative part of their life when they're in different circles. I found that I did that a lot, and after your post, decided I'd talk about my writing to a friend or two in one of my classes. It was liberating for one thing, they were surprised, both asked to see copies of my books and bought copies, nice. I write about a niche topic, first and foremost, the Maya civilization and culture and Mexico history, travel, culture, artists etc. We founded a bookstore in southern Mexico in a fishing village located 100 miles from 4 major pyramid sites-Tulum, Chichen Itza, Coba and Ek Balam. Through the store, publishers would drop in and ask me to write columns (at the time) and as I was well on my way to becoming a Mayaphile, it worked out great, plus I'm a former journalist so writing comes easily to me. I began writing for MX papers, websites, even guide books. Now I pretty much limit my self to Substack and have written a narco thriller series, currently writing book 3 in the trilogy. We've since sold the bookstore, but it's not far from my heart, thanks for asking! My stack is titled: Mexico Soul, and I'm serializing my 2004 travel memoir on it. Gracias!
Hi Dan. Fantastic post. I used to be very good at talking about my writing in a nutshell but what I write about has shifted over the last couple of years and I'm still trying to hone it.
My one liner is that I write from my own life experiences that give people permission to be kind to themselves.
Having recovered from long-covid fatigue and dealing with a husband with a severe brain injury, I have a lot to share about how I've learnt to be kind and loving to myself. I don't feel that I've quite nailed it yet but I'm getting there.
Thank you, Dan, for this post. There's so much valuable information here. I have struggled in not only describing what I write, but in highlighting the writing that I do - whether it's the paid writing I do for MomsLA.com or my weekly blog posts or personal essays that are published on different sites.
I write about living with an invisible disability. I write to make the invisible visible. I write to educate and to create connections with others.
Dan, since I write novels, I write lies, and since I write nonfiction, I write factual lies, and since I write memoir, I write selected lies. But all in the search of truth.
And because that sounds too heavy, let's say all in the search of truth and cookies (which are a form of truth). Thanks for a solid post. (By the way, I used to type at home on my giant Underwood in college—that thing was so heavy that if dropped out of an airplane, hitting the earth would have caused another extinction event.)
Thank you, Dan. I find your posts to be on track and inspiring. My response today: I am finishing a memoir about my relationship with my complicated, charismatic, larger-than-life father, both in my growing up years and at the end of his long life, when I was well into adulthood. Those old patters linger! I am exploring themes of power and identity: Who am I apart from my father's influence? How do I claim my own power and efficacy? Is there a way to heal from old hurts and reconcile the effects of the past?
Thanks for challenging me to speak about my work! I am one who tends to hide for fear of judgement or self-criticism. I appreciate your belief in each unique voice and the gifts that voice can share.
I’m writing a memoir that also includes a complicated father/daughter journey as a thread. There’s a lot of women waiting to read about others experiences and they are all different. Best of success in your writing.
This was so timely for me and stuck just the right note to move me forward. Thank you so much! I write about secret animal worlds that exist within the margins of our reality. What if missing pets were really secret agents on missions? What if the lines of birds on a wire in your neighborhood are actually collecting information for the underground animal network? What about the worlds we don't see, especially those right under our noses? There is a secret animal world, hidden in plain sight... ❤️✨🐈✨❤️
In some ways it is easier to talk about my writing with three books published, a couple of serial fictions (one just started), and all sorts of short works beyond two blogs housed on Substack. Other times it is still hard because there are many facets to it.
I love showing how we can overcome by faith and have a closer relationship with God. My stories don't flee from the dark we all experience because without showing that, I can't shine a light of hope into it for you.
This was so interesting and helpful, Dan. I wonder what your thoughts are on timing. So for example, if you have just started submitting to agents, so you still don’t know if your manuscript will get picked up, or ever get published, is that too soon to talk about it on social media? When you know that even the working title might change, and if you are lucky enough to get an agent it will be 18 months minimum before you are even close to publishing, it feels a bit presumptious to say ‘ I’ve written a book’ or ‘ I am a writer’. I really struggle with this and have only managed to call myself ‘ an aspiring writer’ on LinkedIn!
I think you can talk about what you love to write and why very very early. The specifics about the book itself (title, etc) can come later. Thanks Rachel!
I’m not Dan 😊, but I think it’s important to talk about what you are writing even long before you’re published (or even if you don’t know when and if it will happen). When I was first starting out as a picture book author I had a blog about my journey toward publication, and I blogged, in a general sense, about my writing process, things I was learning along the way, what it was like to submit to agents and publishers, etc. I even wrote about specific projects without mentioning much detail. I was on Facebook back then, but didn’t sign up for Twitter until I had my first book deal (in 2013). Looking back I believe it would have been better if I hadn’t waited. So, don’t wait! In case the opinion of a random stranger on the interest means anything. 😆
Not your focus, but your description of the pitch events reminded me of the parent-teacher conferences I had to suffer through during my kids’ younger years. Thanks for the post; it is helpful!
Dan, I enjoy all of your newsletter essays, but every now and then, ones like this hit me right where it counts, giving me inspiration and renewing my enthusiasm in the most productive ways. Thank you!
It's not too hard to talk about (it was about 20 years ago when I pitched a novel to an agent at one of those conferences). I think the process of exploring those questions you raise is valuable by itself, not as part of external validation relating to "I'm a writer and I need to pitch to a random agent at a conference." It might not even be the right agent for that genre. For example, I would pitch to an agent who handles memoirs.
"I am a writer." I got that answer down when someone asks what I do. But just yesterday, I failed the answer to the follow-up question when my new physical therapist asked what I write, given him a bland "memoir and nonfiction response." So here's a redo: "I write about how family history impacts the present because I am fascinated by how we are shaped by those who came before us."
Nice work Annette!
Annette, Your redo really spoke to me. I went right to your substack, where I could not resist the title "My House Had a Heart Transplant," which is a great story and led me over to your workshop offering.
Thanks for your feedback on my redo and for following my trail! If you could leave a comment on “My House Had a Heart Transplant,” that would be grand!
Hi Dan, A few months ago you wrote a post saying that oftentimes writers segregate that creative part of their life when they're in different circles. I found that I did that a lot, and after your post, decided I'd talk about my writing to a friend or two in one of my classes. It was liberating for one thing, they were surprised, both asked to see copies of my books and bought copies, nice. I write about a niche topic, first and foremost, the Maya civilization and culture and Mexico history, travel, culture, artists etc. We founded a bookstore in southern Mexico in a fishing village located 100 miles from 4 major pyramid sites-Tulum, Chichen Itza, Coba and Ek Balam. Through the store, publishers would drop in and ask me to write columns (at the time) and as I was well on my way to becoming a Mayaphile, it worked out great, plus I'm a former journalist so writing comes easily to me. I began writing for MX papers, websites, even guide books. Now I pretty much limit my self to Substack and have written a narco thriller series, currently writing book 3 in the trilogy. We've since sold the bookstore, but it's not far from my heart, thanks for asking! My stack is titled: Mexico Soul, and I'm serializing my 2004 travel memoir on it. Gracias!
Thanks Jeanine!
Hi Jeanine , I’m interested in the Maya and Mexico. Love your story and I will check out your stack. I like the name!
Hi Dan. Fantastic post. I used to be very good at talking about my writing in a nutshell but what I write about has shifted over the last couple of years and I'm still trying to hone it.
My one liner is that I write from my own life experiences that give people permission to be kind to themselves.
Having recovered from long-covid fatigue and dealing with a husband with a severe brain injury, I have a lot to share about how I've learnt to be kind and loving to myself. I don't feel that I've quite nailed it yet but I'm getting there.
Thank you Cali!
A '49 typewriter- the kid has good taste.
My thoughts exactly!
Indeed! Thanks David.
Thank you, Dan, for this post. There's so much valuable information here. I have struggled in not only describing what I write, but in highlighting the writing that I do - whether it's the paid writing I do for MomsLA.com or my weekly blog posts or personal essays that are published on different sites.
I write about living with an invisible disability. I write to make the invisible visible. I write to educate and to create connections with others.
Thanks Wendy!
Dan, since I write novels, I write lies, and since I write nonfiction, I write factual lies, and since I write memoir, I write selected lies. But all in the search of truth.
And because that sounds too heavy, let's say all in the search of truth and cookies (which are a form of truth). Thanks for a solid post. (By the way, I used to type at home on my giant Underwood in college—that thing was so heavy that if dropped out of an airplane, hitting the earth would have caused another extinction event.)
Thanks Tom!
Thank you, Dan. I find your posts to be on track and inspiring. My response today: I am finishing a memoir about my relationship with my complicated, charismatic, larger-than-life father, both in my growing up years and at the end of his long life, when I was well into adulthood. Those old patters linger! I am exploring themes of power and identity: Who am I apart from my father's influence? How do I claim my own power and efficacy? Is there a way to heal from old hurts and reconcile the effects of the past?
Thanks for challenging me to speak about my work! I am one who tends to hide for fear of judgement or self-criticism. I appreciate your belief in each unique voice and the gifts that voice can share.
Thank you so much Bettina!
I’m writing a memoir that also includes a complicated father/daughter journey as a thread. There’s a lot of women waiting to read about others experiences and they are all different. Best of success in your writing.
This was so timely for me and stuck just the right note to move me forward. Thank you so much! I write about secret animal worlds that exist within the margins of our reality. What if missing pets were really secret agents on missions? What if the lines of birds on a wire in your neighborhood are actually collecting information for the underground animal network? What about the worlds we don't see, especially those right under our noses? There is a secret animal world, hidden in plain sight... ❤️✨🐈✨❤️
Thank you J!
You might like Kinship with all Life by J. Allen Boone. He tells stories about his many animal friends.
I'll check it out. Thanks!
In some ways it is easier to talk about my writing with three books published, a couple of serial fictions (one just started), and all sorts of short works beyond two blogs housed on Substack. Other times it is still hard because there are many facets to it.
I love showing how we can overcome by faith and have a closer relationship with God. My stories don't flee from the dark we all experience because without showing that, I can't shine a light of hope into it for you.
Thanks Althea!
This was so interesting and helpful, Dan. I wonder what your thoughts are on timing. So for example, if you have just started submitting to agents, so you still don’t know if your manuscript will get picked up, or ever get published, is that too soon to talk about it on social media? When you know that even the working title might change, and if you are lucky enough to get an agent it will be 18 months minimum before you are even close to publishing, it feels a bit presumptious to say ‘ I’ve written a book’ or ‘ I am a writer’. I really struggle with this and have only managed to call myself ‘ an aspiring writer’ on LinkedIn!
I think you can talk about what you love to write and why very very early. The specifics about the book itself (title, etc) can come later. Thanks Rachel!
I’m not Dan 😊, but I think it’s important to talk about what you are writing even long before you’re published (or even if you don’t know when and if it will happen). When I was first starting out as a picture book author I had a blog about my journey toward publication, and I blogged, in a general sense, about my writing process, things I was learning along the way, what it was like to submit to agents and publishers, etc. I even wrote about specific projects without mentioning much detail. I was on Facebook back then, but didn’t sign up for Twitter until I had my first book deal (in 2013). Looking back I believe it would have been better if I hadn’t waited. So, don’t wait! In case the opinion of a random stranger on the interest means anything. 😆
Thanks for your advice! Much appreciated!
Incredibly helpful post, THANK YOU!! I’ll re- read it several times. And I adore the 2 photos at the end!
Aw, thanks Paula!
Not your focus, but your description of the pitch events reminded me of the parent-teacher conferences I had to suffer through during my kids’ younger years. Thanks for the post; it is helpful!
Ha! Thanks Sheri.
Very helpful, Dan. The questions get to the heart of the WHY.
Thanks Karen!
Spot on, Karen!
Dan, I enjoy all of your newsletter essays, but every now and then, ones like this hit me right where it counts, giving me inspiration and renewing my enthusiasm in the most productive ways. Thank you!
Thank you so much Michael!
Such helpful advice. Thank you!
Thanks Gail!
It's not too hard to talk about (it was about 20 years ago when I pitched a novel to an agent at one of those conferences). I think the process of exploring those questions you raise is valuable by itself, not as part of external validation relating to "I'm a writer and I need to pitch to a random agent at a conference." It might not even be the right agent for that genre. For example, I would pitch to an agent who handles memoirs.
Thanks Karl!