Staying True

Last year I was sitting at a hotel bar with a number of aspiring authors, agents, and editors. We were all talking and laughing, enjoying our choice of beverages. I was on my third caffe mocha and one of the other authors tested me about not ordering something at the bar with a little liquor in it. I told him I got enough alcohol around me at work and sometimes it was just nice to enjoy a little sweetness without the buzz. He then asked what everyone did for a living.

The agents and editors kept quiet, watching everyone exchange information. We, of course, already knew who they were and what they did. As the writers began sharing what they currently did or had retired from for daily work I began to see a pattern. All of them had worked as teachers, freelance or professional journalists, or held a creative job such as creating pottery and other art for sale at shows. I was still sitting at the bar by one of the agents and when it was my turn I was scared to say my job.

They had all given reasons why what they did or used to do was helpful for their writing but my job is more of an escape. I have fun at my job but I do not use it as a place to meditate on ideas or sneak in a few extra words here and there. I deal cards at a casino. I high five players when a hand goes well and laugh at the same cheesy jokes day in and day out. I do my best to enhance vacations and teach people how to play different games. It has nothing to do with my writing. At least that is what I thought at the time.

A few of the writers scoffed at my profession. They were even more annoyed that I wouldn't take their advice to move into something else in order to focus more on my writing as a priority. I love what I do. I told them that but it didn't matter. They kept telling me I just wasn't serious enough to become a real author. One of the agents asked why I loved my job so much. After having told people about one of my books with s very serious subject matter I told them how being a dealer is a great mental vacation. I shared stories of things I had seen while working in order to make them laugh.

After a little while a different agent gave me his business card and told me he wanted the book I was pitching. i told him it wasn't a book, it was just some funny stories. He said he still wanted it. I never fulfilled the request for a book inspired on my job but I did have a conversation with one of the keynote speakers the next day and she also told me I should look at my job and life in Las Vegas as a form of inspiration. She told me that a job with a creative element or pertaining to writing was not a requirement to be an author. I needed passion, drive, and a few ideas I could build on.

I am still in touch with both the author and the agent I spoke with and they have helped by giving me feedback on a few series I am developing. I am excited to see where the stories take me and I will always be grateful to them for showing me it is important to remain true to yourself and not let others tell you who and what you need to be in order to achieve success.