Becoming A Writer, Staying A Writer

(photo via Random House Canada)

As you may or may not know, I quit my job as a video editor after more than seven years in New York to come to Paris and "be a writer." I know it sounds terribly romantic, but what, exactly, does that entail? I'd longed for limitless time to write and think and daydream since I was in high school (when I began my first novel, haha). Well, I can tell you that it's wonderful and terrible at the same time. Wonderful because I have the time and opportunity to live my dream. Terrible because without a boss, I am constantly harassing myself to work, and without a dependable source of income, I am constantly hustling to find the elusive writing job that pays.

Which is why you'll find me this Thursday in the front row for "Becoming A Writer, Staying A Writer" at Shakespeare & Co. Author Louise Doughty will discuss why people become writers in the first place, what resources are useful (workshops? writing groups? blogs? ahem) and how to maintain personal relationships with friends and family while both being rejected and psychologically digging yourself into your work. This is definitely something I wonder about. What will happen if I ever have a family and I can't work at 3am, when my best writing seems to come about? Hopefully Louise will answer all these questions and more.

"Becoming A Writer, Staying A Writer"
FREE
Thursday, 21 February, 7pm
Shakespeare & Co.
37 Rue Bûcherie  75005 Paris
Métro: M4 to St. Michele, M10 to Cluny/La Sorbonne