| THE DREAM | What do you do? | I’m a writer. |
| Really? What have you published? | A novel called Rose’s Will. | |
| That’s exciting! Where can I get a copy? | On Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and of course, directly from my publisher. |
THE AWAKENING
(During intermission at the theatre, my partner addressed an acquaintance.)
Did you know that Denise wrote a novel? It’s just been published?
| Congratulations! What do you do? | I’m a writer. My novel, Rose’s Will, was just published. | |
| Yes, I know, but what do you do? | I write. I’m working on my second novel. | |
| (She persists) But what is your job? | (I persist) My job is being a writer. | |
I knew what she was getting at and I refused to say I didn’t have a job and validate the flawed assumption that writing was not a legitimate vocation. The lights dimmed. I sat back in my seat feeling triumphant–and letting go of all the previous conversations that made me feel inadequate.