Wednesday already? I swear time does fly whether you’re having fun or not. And it moves all the faster the older I get! 
So I got to thinking about support from your loved one, especially when it comes to the writing career. See, I got to thinking about this because I am on the fence about going to the RWA National Convention. I have, of course, mentioned this to my dear, darling husband; in fact, I started, oh, months ago because he’s the type of guy who needs lots of lead in if I am going to be gone for almost a whole week.
Picture me folding clothes. I casually say, “I’m seriously thinking about going to Nationals this year.”
He replies, “Nationals? For what?”
I do the wide-eyed, incredulous stare. What does he think I’m talking about? Horseracing? So I calmly say, “You know, for my writing.”
His face gets this pained look. “Where is it?”
I sigh cause I’ve told him about four or five times already where the dadgummed thing is taking place. “D.C.”
“That will take airfare,” he says. Dang, he’s a genius.
Conversation ends. Well, doesn’t end really. I just choose to let it end. This is my life with a husband who considers my writing a hobby, you know, like his guitar playing. And I don’t mean to get on my soap box because he is a pretty good hubbie in most every way, but when it comes to my writing, it’s a sore subject at my house. I could spout all kinds of figures about the money he spends when it comes to his hobbies (ahem, ten guitars), but I won’t air dirty laundry. Just fold the clean stuff.
It’s just I don’t know how to make him see that I am pursuing this as a career. I patiently explained publication processes, even offered to let him see my writing (which he has not even read the first line of), and write off the darned stuff on our taxes, but still he just doesn’t get it.
So how do your significant others feel about your writing career? Supportive? Or absolutely oblivious? Anybody got some good advice for me?
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Life, The Hubby, Writing Support
Amy, I feel your pain. My hubby is supportive until something like a conference or even a chapter meeting coincides with one of his hobbies. Golf, hunting just about everything under the sun, and did I say golf? Argh!
I give him plenty of notice, but it goes in one ear and out the other and then I’m so mad we just don’t talk about it. I bought a day planner last year and sat down with him and we scheduled several months in advance. I told him, “If it’s not on the calendar, then it’s not happening.” He tends to be a spur of the moment person. Another Argh! This did help. We still have conflicts, but I think he takes me more serious. Not sure he’ll ever be completely on board unless I “Show him the money.” LOL
My hubs is really supportive. He winces when I win auctions and when I say I want to go to this conference, but that’s about it.
Oh, and when we were gathering our tax info up he said, “hm, can’t help but notice how much money you spent on your writing this year.” LOL
He can’t complain too much. It was his idea that I write!
Yeah, I’m kinda thinking hubbie is going to see this as merely a hobby until I make some sort of major gain with it. I am so laughing at the golf – we’ve been there and done that when we lived in South Carolina (we were right outside Hilton Head, need I say more). But guys’ hobbies are pretty expensive – we’ve got guitars and all the equipment that go with them, fishing (ahem, a boat) and now duck hunting (lease, dog, and assorted guns and equipment.) Oh, and wait, the four wheeler that was a must have.
After listing all that, I’m really thinking $500.00 on airfare doesn’t sound so bad. LOL!
Okay, we’re a bit dead today after yesterday, but I have decided to go ahead and register for Nationals. I mean, if I decide not to go, then I would lose a $50 processing fee. That’s the worst.
Plus, I want to meet some of you. The last time I went (Dallas), I didn’t know a soul. I want to meet some of my fellow bloggers for a drink. I want to stalk editors and agents in the elevator. I want to have an excuse for buying new clothes.
Hey guys, sorry I’m so late getting here today. The day job has been crazy.
Amy, I’m so glad you’re going to nationals! I can’t wait to meet everyone. And it’s such a boost to your writing.
I have to say Science Guy is fab when it comes to my writing. He is more than willing to eat hotdogs (ok so he loves hotdogs), or pick up take out, and if I’m in a really flowing moment, he’ll pick up around the house as well.
In fact, if I go more than a couple of days without writing (very rare), he’s the one who looks at me and says, “Um, aren’t you supposed to writing right now. Aren’t your characters talking to you?”
He’s the best and I know I’m very lucky to have such support. He believes in me and my writing totally.
Oh, yes, do come to Nationals. Surely the blog would benefit from face-to-face contact among the bloggersl I’ve already registered and even booked the flight, since I’m able to travel with a chapter friend and she wanted her ducks neatly lined in a row.
My poor husband was badly trained in his youth. Back then, I was actually earning money — quite respectable amounts — from the nonfiction books. Since then the market has contracted, to put it kindly, so that unless you’re named Stephen King or Nora Roberts or similar the publishers are extremely nervous about putting out the ready. Since my architect husband has little to no interest in following the fluctuations of the publishing market, he just asks wistfully from time to time when is it that I start getting checks again instead of writing them? Thank goodness the bill for the registration and the bill for the hotel come due with a substantial padding of 6 to 7 months between them. And when he does see them together, it’s tax time and they’re deductions!
No kidding– as soon as something interferes with THEIR schedule, everything we do seems unimportant
Vicky, my hubs always finds it funny if my characters are not talking and even funnier when I can’t get the to behave. he just can’t grasp the concept.
Keri, right. Science Guy’s gotten used to me talking about them as if we were friends who met for dinner or shopping.
Speaking of shopping, retail therapy can sometimes bring out the best creative moments. Hmmm…that just might be the next blog. Heehee