First draft of A Spark of Heavenly Fire
I got serious about writing a little over a decade ago. That’s when I started writing novels as well as researching the craft of writing and the publishing industry. I finished writing my novels about seven or seven years ago, then concentrated on rewriting and polishing the manuscripts to make sure they were as good as I could possibly make them. Meantime, I sent out hundreds of query letters in an effort to find an agent or publisher.
You’d think all those years focused on the craft of writing, rewriting, editing, proofing, querying would qualify me to call myself a writer, but it was just something I did, not something I was, so I never gave myself the title.
Even after my first two books were published by Second Wind Publishing in 2009, I still didn’t identify myself as a writer, except in relation to the books. For example, Pat Bertram, author of More Deaths Than One. I now have five books published — four suspense novels and one book about grief — but I still didn’t call myself a writer. It seems sort of silly and, considering all the millions of writers who have a book listed on Amazon, makes me not the least bit special. And anyway, I don’t make a living off writing, which would, I think, be a major qualification to list “writer” as one’s occupation.
Today, I had to go to the bank to fill out some paperwork, and they asked my occupation. Oddly, the only thing that came to mind was “writer.” I laughed to myself and said sotto voce, “What the heck.” Then, louder, I told the clerk, “I am a writer.” (It’s a good thing they didn’t need to ask what my income was. They’d probably have laughed in my face.) Still, “writer” sounded so much more interesting than shrugging off the question about occupation with a brief comment about taking care of my father.
So now it’s official. I am a writer.
***
Pat Bertram is the author of the suspense novels Light Bringer, More Deaths Than One, A Spark of Heavenly Fire, and Daughter Am I. Bertram is also the author of Grief: The Great Yearning, “an exquisite book, wrenching to read, and at the same time full of profound truths.” Connect with Pat on Google+
March 4, 2013 at 7:27 pm
~ You write so well and I may not know your writing journey, I know it is a hard one, too. Last time, I read your post about grief and you know what? I can really relate. I love your post esp. the last line. Up to this point of time, I still don’t have the guts to call myself a writer..maybe after decades of practice? Haha, I hope so. Congrats, you Freshly Pressed blogger — I consider you a good writer and an inspiration at that! Here’s my story – http://thelurkerslist.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/on-writing-quantity-or-quality/ Cheers! (;
March 4, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Sound good, though, doesn’t it. Sounds much more exotic and free-spirited than the reality of the job (I imagine)!
March 4, 2013 at 7:35 pm
It does sound good, and it felt good. And what the heck . . . there are all those published books and a few fans to make it true.
March 4, 2013 at 7:36 pm
And so it should feel good. It takes a lot of craft and work to be able to say that. I can only aspire to it. Congratulations!
March 5, 2013 at 6:08 am
Mazel tov!
March 5, 2013 at 9:07 am
In one sense, what makes you a writer is the fact that you write. Lots of people want to be writers, but somehow never manage to actually write anything. So in that sense, you’ve been a writer all those 10 years. But I see what you mean about stating it as the answer to a question like, what is your occupation? Writer. Wow. Congratulations on this discovery about how you see yourself.