That doesn’t exactly sound like a writer to me, either! Strange exchange. I do remember that person. It’s a shame because it felt like she was a writer just to show you she could. Why? What’s the point? I’d never pretend to be an accountant, and I’d never think less of someone who needs a writer. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses. That she wasn’t willing to accept hers speaks to her own insecurities.

And screenplays.

Remember that former president of the neighborhood group who got mad at me for including info in the newsletter that she had explicitly TOLD me to include? The first time I met her she said she was a writer, too. Then said she had all these ideas in her head and maybe I could help her write them down. Um, no thanks. If you’re a “writer” then write it your darn self!

Paula, that sounds like your inner genius showing. Why get dragged into conversations that upset or bore you?

I get the deer-in-headlights stare when they get excited and say “Oh! What do you write?” and I say “Insurance and risk management topics mainly….” then as their balloons deflate, I add “And I’ve published poetry.”

It’s as though the only valid writing is books and poems. Yet neither of those pay my bills. And that’s what excites ME. 🙂

My typical response when a neighbor or someone I don’t know brings up politics? “I’m an independent. I don’t really like either party.” That usually shuts people up.

Is my inner introrvert showing?

I LOVE your analogy, Cathy! LOL Perfect.