I see that Deb does some of the job listings and Jodee does others. Who is Jodee?

And thank you Jodee. Today I got another job thanks to you guys.

Kim > You sound my age, no offense intended.

It’s so much fun to see the different common responses people get.

I forgot to mention that one of my best friends does like to read my new(er) blog for writers (when she thinks of it), though she’s one of my few good friends who isn’t actually a writer…

I love this question! I used to be a reporter for People magazine, which started as a college internship and turned into a full-time gig afterward…and I LOVED telling people! It really validated the lifelong, “But how are you going to make any money?” question I got, even though, ironically, I was hardly making anything. When our bureau closed in February, I became full-time freelance. That’s when the blank stares started

Since I registered as a business, built a website and developed steady clients (thanks in large part to this blog!), however, the blank stares have turned to awe, like I’m rubbing elbows and clicking martinis with celebrities every day. Not so. But wonderful anyway, even if my fiance and family never read a word of what I write, unless it’s my fiction. Thanks for the great discussion!

I usually get positive reactions like “oh my god, that is sooooo cool.” Some of my friends still think I live the “artist’s lifestyle” by sleeping all day and typing with a pot of coffee on the desk and a cigarette dangling from my lips. They’re surprised that I actually work during the day.

I’ve been freelancing for seven years, and people still don’t understand what I do. Relatives ask when I’ll have a book published, or why am I not writing a book? Other people think that I should be able to fit an entire career into an hour or so a day. When I say I can’t do something for them because I have an interview scheduled, a couple have actually said, ‘Oh, where are you applying?’ I then explain (again) that I’m interviewing someone for an article, and I already have a job.

I have regular gigs, steady income, and I’m still asked ‘So what else have you done? Have you written for anything I’ve heard of?’

My husband is supportive, but he doesn’t read my stuff anymore. He sure likes when the checks come in, though!

I spent several years in the newspaper industry, and some friends and relatives seem surprised to hear what I do now (going on two years). Some are curious — or at least pretend to be — and ask questions. Mostly, though, when they hear I work from home, they are envious.

The few blank stares are mostly from strangers who don’t give half a hoot. Maybe I should say I write about sex, like Hayli said, and see what happens.

Totally O/T: It’s such a PLEASURE to visit this site and not get bogged down by posters’ bad grammar, misspellings and typos. I don’t try to see them in other types of forums, but I can’t help it! It’s an occupational hazard.

A handful of close friends and my boyfriend read my blog regularly. One of those friends reads practically everything I get published. My mother reads some, the ones I bring to her attention. As does my boyfriend.

But on the whole, considering the amount I write and the amount of people who are close to me, not many of them are “fans.” But that’s ok. I tell them general things like, “Hey, I got published in a European magazine!” and even if they don’t read it, they cheer me on.

Good friends.