I am a writer

Back in June, I was in the airport waiting in line for a cup of coffee when the woman next to me asked, “Are you a writer?” I froze, uncertain how to answer that despite the fact that I’ve published four novels and two novellas. Am I a writer? Can I really lay claim to that title? And why was the woman asking, anyway?

​Then I realized I was wearing a T-shirt a friend gave me that said, “Sorry. Can’t. Writing. Bye” Okay, that explained the question, but I still wasn’t sure about the answer.

However, the positive feedback I’ve gotten for “Framed for Murder” (many thanks to those of you who left reviews) and recent success at a book fair led me to say, “Yes, I am. In fact, my latest book was released on Monday.” The woman looked it up on her phone and, impressed with the feedback (again THANK YOU!), bought it there and then. ​

After I got my cup of brain juice and sat to wait for the plane, I thought about why “author” is such a tough label to accept. I mean, I write every day, so what other qualification am I waiting for? Oh yeah, getting paid for it. I didn’t make enough money last quarter from all my books combined to buy the coffee I was drinking.

Which leads to the first blog I’ve written in months. I’m going to do my damnedest to figure out this “authentic marketing” thing, starting with sharing my journey in weekly blogs. Micro-blogs most likely. I know a proper blog post is anywhere from 500 to 3000 words with pictures and SEO, blah blah blah. My hat’s off to writers who can do that, but I’m writing the next book in the Pine Cove series, a hockey romance series with a co-writer, and working 2.5 jobs so that is not going to happen.

What you can look forward to are short snippets of the ups and downs of life in general, some character interviews, maybe previews of coming books. Possibly some guest posts if I can figure out a system to sign people up LOL. If there’s anything you want to hear about, let me know!

Hopefully, I’ll be back next week to entertain you with tales of a writer’s life as I attempt to make a living at it. Or at least buy more Starbucks. 

If you like what you read, be sure to follow me on Instagram @marlawriteswords or on Facebook at MarlaAWhiteAuthor