When I get money from writing, I’d tell my parents about it. This is because, usually, they plan on buying me something they think I might need. So I tell them I can get it myself, and that they can use the money for something else, like retirement or a special vacation just for the two of them. Plus, I think it’s nice. Writing is a hobby, and when you can monetize something you love, even better. 

What I didn’t anticipate though, is them laughing. 

In many people’s minds, including my own parents, writing doesn’t translate to being financially stable. Yes, you can write as a hobby. You can even dream about publishing an article or a New York Times bestseller. But to actually make a living as a writer? That’s crazy! 

So for those of you who do tell your friends that you’re a writer, or who believe yourselves to be writers, or who have to deal with the constant disbelief from your loved ones that you can actually make some money as a writer, below are some sayings that you might’ve heard. 

What Do You Actually Do? 

Whenever writers tell their friends about what they do, they get that initial question of what they, you know, actually do. It’s as if people who do what they love are unheard of. It’s like they can’t stomach the fact that writers can still make money writing in this day in age, that they don’t need a supplemental income to support themselves. Then again, it’s a stereotype that’s been reinforced time and time again. After all, Edgar Allen Poe was a famous writer, but while he was alive he lived in squalor. 

Are You Published Anywhere?

Again, a very common question. I remembered being in the airport, waiting on a plane to go home, when someone asked me what I did for a living. I told him I was a student, but just to make some extra money, I wrote. He asked me where I was published, and I listed the sites where I was published.

This question isn’t as offensive as the first one. If you’re just starting out writing, just shrug it off and say you haven’t published anything right now, or that you’re just starting. If you have, just list them out. You could brag if you want to. If you’ve published a book, say that too. It’s good for marketing. 

What Did You think of This Person’s Work? 

Sometimes, this question is out of genuine curiosity. After all, there might be a masterpiece out there that’s well-received. There might be other works that aren’t as good. And as writers, people sometimes expect us to know what’s good and what’s bad. Sometimes, they expect us to have a certain reaction to certain works. For example, for those of you who’ve read my articles, you already know how I feel about Fifty Shades. 

Even so, we don’t know the writers personally. We might not even have read their books. All we know is that we have to extend to other writers the same professional courtesy as everyone else.

Being a writer can be a rewarding career. After all, how often do you get the chance to move someone else with your words? How often do you see someone cry over your works just because your story is so relatable? How often do you see someone come up to you and say they like your books, and how they deeply affect you? With these moments, you’ll be glad you chose writing as a profession. 

With that being said, whenever you hear people ask you these questions, just answer. Just be happy and relaxed and continue with whatever you were doing. After all, there will always be curious people. Even so, it’s not your job to impress them. It’s your job to write.