My New Found Social Status: Novelist!
If you’ve ever tried to explain what a ‘professional blogger’ is, especially to elder people, you know how difficult that is. After 30 minutes of questions (and my replies), they analyze the field and decide that what I am doing is a waste of time. Well, I can’t totally refute that either 😛
So, I was desperate to find some other answer to that lethal question – ‘What do you do?’. Once, when I was drinking coconut water (Elaneer), the shopkeeper pointed towards someone who just walked by and proudly said (to another person next to him) – ‘You know what, he is a novelist. He writes stories. He always drinks coconut water in my shop.’ The other person was also like, ‘Wow’.
That, ladies and gentlemen, was the biggest motivation & driving factor in me deciding to write a novel – I desperately wanted to change my social status to *anything except a blogger*, and a ‘novelist’ seemed *most glamorous* (at least to others) 😀
So, now, whenever I am asked about my profession or that lethal question – ‘What do you do’, I coolly reply that I am a novelist. The conversation sorta goes like this –
“Wow, you write novels? That’s a great thing to do man.”
“oh, thanks.”
“You write in Tamil or English?”
“English.”
“Oh, good. Have you written and published any novel until now?”
“Yes, I have published one.”
“What’s the title, what’s the story about?”
” . . . “
“Oh, that sounds very interesting. I will buy the novel immediately after I go home.” (That’s a courtesy statement, actually)
“ok, thanks.”
“So, do you . . . I mean . . . how are you placed financially? Is it difficult to . . .?”
“No, I don’t earn anything from my novel yet . . . I earn from my bl-“
“I know man, it should be difficult for a novelist – especially when he is new. But you don’t worry – things will become better soon. You keep writing, some day you’ll (10 minutes of suggestions and inspiration) . . .”
“ok. Actually, I have another sourc-“
“It takes years. For some people, a lot of years. But the determination is important. You’ll have to (10 more minutes of analysis and suggestions) . . .”
And then, with a satisfied look in his face, he walks away.
In spite of that assumed non-earning tag of a ‘novelist’, I am still amused at my new found social status. And the excited looks I get from people. There is some charm associated with writing novels – I guess. That a ‘professional blogger’ can never achieve.
😛
Destination Infinity
You are a legend in your own mind. I am happy for you.
No, that’s the most difficult thing to attain. We can fake legendary with others, but doing that with ourselves requires a lot of skill! 😛
Destination Infinity
Very interesting to read this, Novelist 🙂
In IT, now nobody is interested in saying ‘Im a Software Engg’. The terms are changed as ‘Consultant, Designer,Architect..so on’.
Only the words changes and its interesting to see how people’s perspective changes.
The issue is, when many people start using ‘consultant’ and ‘software architect’ and other such fancy titles, people get used to it. The trick is to use something unique – how about software constructionist? 😛
Destination Infinity
I have been trying to explain what I do as a java developer to my parents and still they have no idea what I do. Stragely they understand my published status more than my proffesional status 😛
Cool so Mr novelist, when’s the next book coming!!
Someone who I know tried to explain ‘software career’ by telling that they teach the computer what to do, only to listen how hopeless their career is! Maybe it’ll work for you – try it 😛
Destination Infinity
Naah…that is just old world romanticism people are stuck into. Thanks to the British rule, nobody asks about the artisan of the country because it was not done by the Westerners. 😛
Now, they have started to do it & they call it design. 😉
Thanks to the British then, I have something interesting to reply to that lethal question at last 😛
Destination Infinity
It is good to look for a reason to be happy…whatever it is! Be happy always and write more!
I am always happy, it’s people around me who are not! 😛
Destination Infinity
Hi Novelist Rajesh, its nice to meet you 😉 People really drive us mad don’t they with all their silly questions. And a novelist tag is glamorous, isn’t it?
It’s nice to meet you too, novelist Rachna 😛
Destination Infinity
You know what, you should turn into a novelist. You write good stories anyway. 🙂
I need multiple career names – I will use any of them depending on the situation 🙂
Destination Infinity
yes new addition to bio
great
i agree with you
New (insignificant) addition to bio? 😛
Destination Infinity
With a book behind you have already the coveted tag of a novelist.Once you have published and readers start reading,it is just a matter of time before one becomes a famous author with more novels following one after the other.Please keep writing.My best wishes.
I like your optimistic approach in life 🙂
Destination Infinity
haha 😀 enjoy your new found status.
yes, that’s the reason I wrote that novel in the first place! 🙂
Destination Infinity
Congratulations and Celebrations 🙂
Treat 🙂
When 1000 copies of my novel gets sold, I will definitely give you a treat.
Destination Infinity
PS: What a nice way to refuse treat! 😛
and I know you .. I can boast of that tooooo 🙂 my status on your new found status … woooo hooooo he he he
congrats once again DI
Bikram
You can try that – I think my novel is popular in the UK 😛
Destination Infinity
Glad that your new status is making people all happy and excited. 🙂
People and their silly beliefs and perspectives can really drive you up the wall!
There is some wisdom in their silly beliefs, but they don’t consider exceptions, that’s the issue.
Destination Infinity
I have always answered “Nothing” when people asked me “What are you doing?” after I quit working. They, normally, assumed that I was cutting them off because I did not want to share personal details, so I retained their respect but gained their dislike 🙂 Once, someone asked me in Tamil while in a group “Ennava irukkeenga sir?” and I answered “Nimmadiya irukken” 🙂
I can also say that but ppl. will surely think I am trying to cut them off. So, I say something that catches their fancy. People don’t understand blogger, so am happy with novelist! 🙂
Destination Infinity
Hahahaha OMG! That was so well put forward. True, at least in your case you are earning from your blog! Just imagine about the lot which is not yet earning from their sites! Just imagine how poor they might look to others or jobless! 😛
Weather I am earning from my blogs or not, ‘blogger’ is not considered as a profession by the traditional types! But even if a novelist is not earning anything, they are considered professionals.
Destination Infinity
Interesting post. Its true that people think blogging is a waste of time even if one writes really good posts and runs a successful blog. You are actually a novelist because you have written a lot of stories!
I get around this by telling people I am a writer. That is a vague enough term. 🙂
I could have tried telling ‘writer’ too, but I am sure ppl. will ask ‘what do you write about?’ 🙂
Destination Infinity
Good read! Hope that along with tag ‘Novelist’ you’re also enjoying the pretty suggestions that follow (the one that go on for 15 minutes) 😉
Yes, with so many experts around, I guess I don’t have to worry much about marketing and other such simple things 😛
Destination Infinity
‘Novelist’ is always compared to ‘being broke’ 🙂 and some people even think writers and poets are boring. Well ,as if we bother?! 🙂 The way people perceive things are so different. This is a wonderful post. You should be proud you wrote a novel 🙂 Keep them coming
I’d be proud if the novel sells. Anyone can write and publish a novel nowadays! 🙂
Destination Infinity