Hannah M.
asked
Helen Simonson:
hi. I have always wanted to be an author and I would like to ask you a few questions if you'd answer them. I was wondering if you have any responsibilities as an author? if you do what are they? also what kind of education did you have to get to become an author. and what if any contributions do you as an author make to society? thanks.
Helen Simonson
Dear Hannah,
An author is merely someone who has been published. I prefer to think of myself as a writer - that's the real vocation. I write full time though I have occasionally taught a creative-writing class. Many writers teach to support their families or have other careers. Trollope was a postman I think? I was a stay-at-home mom for many years which gave me some time to write. You should think about how you will support yourself during the years it may take to become published (took me 15 years). When I'm under contract to write a book I have a responsibility to meet my deadline but my publisher is very nice about it. Being a writer requires you to be responsible mainly to yourself. If you don't want to complete a book no one is going to push you into it or weep for the missed opportunity. You have to be driven, persistent and self-motivated to choose this path. I did not major in English as an undergraduate. I studied economics and politics instead. After taking a few writing classes in the community, I began to attend writers conferences and then pursued an MFA part time. Education in the field can focus you on your craft and build a community and structure around your writing but it is not a prerequisite. I think the best education for a writer is to be an incessant reader. That is very hard to do in today's technology and social media world but if you can turn off the Snapchat and read a book instead you will find it hugely nourishing as a writer. No reading experience or writing class is ever wasted I think. Regardless of publishing success or failure, good reading and writing skills are super valuable. Fiction writers don't report the world and the human experience, they seek to explain it, one book and one little bit at a time. We contribute to society by writing stories that allow people to step into another person's shoes. We raise issues and inspire empathy. We open up the world. I also like to contribute a good laugh now and then. I am only a very small and humble member of the great community of fiction writers but there is always room for more of us. I hope you pursue your dream of becoming an author. Best regards, Helen Simonson
An author is merely someone who has been published. I prefer to think of myself as a writer - that's the real vocation. I write full time though I have occasionally taught a creative-writing class. Many writers teach to support their families or have other careers. Trollope was a postman I think? I was a stay-at-home mom for many years which gave me some time to write. You should think about how you will support yourself during the years it may take to become published (took me 15 years). When I'm under contract to write a book I have a responsibility to meet my deadline but my publisher is very nice about it. Being a writer requires you to be responsible mainly to yourself. If you don't want to complete a book no one is going to push you into it or weep for the missed opportunity. You have to be driven, persistent and self-motivated to choose this path. I did not major in English as an undergraduate. I studied economics and politics instead. After taking a few writing classes in the community, I began to attend writers conferences and then pursued an MFA part time. Education in the field can focus you on your craft and build a community and structure around your writing but it is not a prerequisite. I think the best education for a writer is to be an incessant reader. That is very hard to do in today's technology and social media world but if you can turn off the Snapchat and read a book instead you will find it hugely nourishing as a writer. No reading experience or writing class is ever wasted I think. Regardless of publishing success or failure, good reading and writing skills are super valuable. Fiction writers don't report the world and the human experience, they seek to explain it, one book and one little bit at a time. We contribute to society by writing stories that allow people to step into another person's shoes. We raise issues and inspire empathy. We open up the world. I also like to contribute a good laugh now and then. I am only a very small and humble member of the great community of fiction writers but there is always room for more of us. I hope you pursue your dream of becoming an author. Best regards, Helen Simonson
More Answered Questions
Sarwat Jahan
asked
Helen Simonson:
Hi Helen.I pursued my graduation in communicative english with media studies,post that i did B.Ed in english and currently pursuing masters in english from one of the colleges of PATNA,BIHAR,INDIA.Though my major was not english i have made a mind to enrich my knowledge in literature field.Could you please give some suggestions to help to pursue my masters in a better way as i have to begin from 'A' level?
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