I was chatting with another mother recently and out of nowhere she did the dreaded air quotes to me during the conversation. She actually air quoted “writer” when referring to what I do and I had no words. I know she probably doesn’t know how rude air quotes can be, so I won’t hold it against her. She seems like a nice person. Also, I know that in the blogging world you get all kinds people. You may have even read some that you felt should not even be writing anything at all or need to tone it down a notch. Yet most of us do have other things we are working on. For me, it is children’s books. For other bloggers I know it’s educational books, motivational books, romance novels, mystery novels and so many other things. Having others make it seem less important is never any fun. For those of us who are serious about what we do, this and many other things can be downright insulting. Here is a list of what not to say to a blogger/writer.

“So you are a “writer”?”

I don’t call myself one, I am one. In fact, you are reading something I wrote right now, aren’t you? Sure I may not be a well known author. There may not be hard copies of my works out there just yet that people can’t wait for me autograph. I may not be famous, but you can’t take my writer title away from me with your air quotes.

“It sounds like a fun hobby”

Writing is fun and it can be a hobby. To assume that it is all it is because it not for you is not very nice, now is it? It is more than that to so many of us. We mostly write about our passions, our feelings and our beliefs. Those are not hobbies, those are our truths.

“I’m way too busy for something like that”

Thanks for making what I do sound so frivolous. I’m sorry if you think that it is a waste of time and your days are filled with more important things. I’m sure you save puppies and help baby birds fly when you not taking care of your little humans, but don’t assume that all I do is play on a computer. Writers are busy, too. We simply find time in our own schedules to write.

“So you write for a mommy blog”

This one grates on everyone of my fellow AMB bloggers. This blog is so much more than just a bunch of moms venting about diapers, breastfeeding and yoga pants. It is about empowering mothers and their families. We offer support, advice and a little bit of humor. We are a community. We hope that others know that they can find something on pretty much any topic out there here. If you can’t find it, just ask and we will. Sometimes they are informative, sometimes they are controversial, sometimes they are sad and sometimes they are just plain silly. Isn’t motherhood all of those things, though?

“What could YOU possibly have to write about?”

I may not seem like the most interesting person in the world to you, but I have lived for a bit and may know a couple of things that may help someone someday.  Some people find me funny, some people actually like to read what I write. Crazy right?  You never know, you may learn something about me that you didn’t know before. It could happen.

“So you just do this for your friends and family, right?”

My family and friends ARE my biggest supporters, yes. They are the first ones to read my posts, share them and comment on them.  Without them, writing may not be as fun, but my writings are an extension of me. What I write will be out in the world long after I am not, thanks to the internet. My kids will be able to share what I had to say with their kids one day. I guess you can say I do it so I know I can always be with them in a way.

“Do you make any money?”

No, not everything is about money, honey.  Yes, there are many bloggers that do make money. Lucky them! For the rest of us it is about the writing and getting our name out there. There is value in blogs that is worth more than money.  Don’t get me wrong, it would be nice to. If someone offered to pay us, we totally would. Any takers?

“Oh, I don’t have time to read blogs”

Again, I know you are busy saving the salamanders of Barton Springs and removing Christmas decorations from the trees on the side of the road. I get it. You don’t really have to tell me that, though. You could just not say anything at all, thank you.

“Do you know so-and-so? She’s the best blogger!”

I’m glad you found a blogger you love. That blogger will appreciate hearing that. Make sure you tell her. Yet, just as she may be the best one for you, the lady down the block may love the blogger that finds cute cat pictures and tells their tale. Everyone has their own preferences. Why not enjoy the ones you like without passively putting the rest down?

“Will you ever get a real job again?”

I do have a job! I have plenty of jobs, actually:

• I am a mom. That is my main job and best job EVER.
• I am a writer of children’s books that you will someday see the light of day. It is on my vision board, so it will happen, right?
• I am a blogger, duh.
• I am an entrepreneur. This is the one that gets me the dolla’ bills, yo.

“What does your husband think about you spending your time this way?”

First of all, like this says it is MY time. I don’t take time away from my family. I am writing this post while they sleep. That is when I have MY time. Second, he is awesome and supports everything I do 100%. He is my best friend and I am lucky to have him by my side. If I asked you what your spouse thought of how you spend your time, would you be a tiny bit annoyed?

On that note:

How would you feel if someone asked you the same things about your job or what you are passionate about.  Substitute what you do/love on any of these and let me know how that would feel. Why not just support each other and help each other succeed? Now go out there and keep doing what you love.

What kind of comments do you get that bother you?