The Call of Your Dreams
That’s the dream, right? You’re sitting at your computer, typing your fingers down to the bone, flesh falling away as your keyboard becomes stained with your blood. Tired and exhausted, you’ve been fighting the fight for too long, and you’re ready to give-in to the zombie apocalypse—return to the masses of mindless commuters heading into the daily grind of rush hour.
Each day has been a struggle of words, mind and spirit and you’re wondering if you should just quit…give up because you won’t survive another day of battling the rejection letters. Your phone rings. An interruption you don’t have time for, and aren’t in the mood to deal with. You answer it anyway.
“Hello.” You say with about as much feeling as the un-dead.
And everything changes. Because that one call, the one you wanted no part of a moment ago, is the answer to your prayers. Your fingers magically heal. Your mind enters the world of Zen. And that bright blue light of your computer screen that had been dull and gray a moment ago, is beckoning you—calling your name to a whole new world.
You’re officially a writer. You’re in heaven.
I haven’t got that call—yet. But I received similar ones when I got accepted to the police academy, when I went to different special assignments on the department, and when I got promoted. Of course I’d never forget, the day he called and changed my world. So I can imagine the moment, and look forward to the day of becoming a writer.
What call did you get? And what unlikely place did you inhabit, when the person on the other end of the line shined down on you with their saving grace? Were you lounging on your couch in a hot red dress and heals? I’d love to hear your story of triumph.
About Kym Roberts
Hi Kym!
Well, I haven’t gotten THE CALL yet… But I feel this is my year
I was hired in person for the best job I ever had so I don’t have any cool “call” stories that actually involve a phone- LOL… But being called into your bosses office and given a promotion is pretty cool.
[Reply]
Kym Roberts Reply:
January 11th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Well how lucky are you to get ‘the call’ in person? I’ve never got that. I’ve read my name on a list, (and not on a list) but no one has ever said to my face-”You got the job!” It’s definitely a little higher on the ‘squee’ list than a phone call
[Reply]
I don’t think you have to get ‘the call’ to call yourself a writer! That’s a mindset that we have to change. A person may be an unpublished writer, but they are still writers even prior to getting that call.
And then, when the call does come, be it agent or editor, it’s icing on the cake and you can think, What took them so long?! It’s a sort of validation, but you’ve been a writer all along and don’t forget it!
[Reply]
Kym Roberts Reply:
January 11th, 2013 at 10:23 am
LOL, you are right, Misa. I do consider myself a writer, as well as all the other un-pubbed writers out there. I’m just thinking of that moment, when someone asks you what you do for a living and you respond, “I’m a writer.” For one second he or she is really interested in you–they’re picturing themselves having a conversation with the next Janet E, or Steven King and they ask, “What do you write?” As soon as the words escape your mouth, “I’m not pub–” they’re gone, onto the next potentially famous person in the circle. My thoughts are more of a commentary on society’s definition of a writer.
So all you Un-pubbed’s out there–here’s your validation–a best-selling author, Misa Ramirez, told you to hold your head up high!
[Reply]
I agree with Misa – you don’t need ‘the call’ to be a writer. Having the guts to sit in that chair and bang out stories – that moves you from dreamer to writer. Good luck and may 2013 be your year!
[Reply]
Thanks Avery! 2013 is definitely going to be a good year! For fellow lovers of ‘smart-ass’ writing, check out Avery’s books on her website http://averyflynn.com/buy-my-books/dry-creek-series/
[Reply]
I didn’t get an actual call, but I did get an email in October from Secret Cravings Publishing offering me a contract on my first book. This was a huge shock since I hadn’t ever pitched to an editor, written a synopsis, or contemplated submitting anything until a month prior when I attended my first writing conference. While I was at the conference I had decided to pitch just for practice and as a ‘what the h**l’ experience. The Secret Cravings editor, Sandy Sullivan, wanted to read my first fifty pages which I thought was merely a polite gesture on her part. Until I got ‘the email’. And I have been in panic mode ever since!
[Reply]