What do you do?

 


What do you do?

 

Ask any author whichtwo questions they are asked most often and they will cheerfully* citevariations on these two gems:

 

1.    ShouldI have heard of you?

 

2.    Doyou make a lot of money?

 

There’s also a thirdquestion that’s more open to interpretation:

 

What do you do?

 

Rather than talkabout what I write, I take the queryto be about how I spend my time as a working writer. Not including the snacksof course.

 

In the interests ofunstructured and biased research I kept a record of activities for the whole ofJune. I’ve excluded working on a novel or any freelance writing because they’rea given.

 

Okay, here we go…

 

I entered a micropoetry competition (wellbeing) and a short story competition (hell), and I submitteda short play (leaving home and community) to a theatre.

 

I submitted achildren’s book (wellbeing, friendship and transformation) to a therapeuticpublisher.

 

I reviewed the commsfrom two literary agents, who I’d sent representation requests and manuscriptsamples to 11 and 17 weeks ago.

 

I applied to be amental health co-writer for a book project.

 

I contributed toresearch surveys about writing and creative coaching.

 

I delivered literaryfestival programmes to fifteen shops and galleries.

 

I attended a monthlylocal writing group, rescheduled an online writing group call, and joined anexcellent writingcommunity.

 

I made over 100comments, with jokes included, on LinkedIn. Mostly puns but a few withcommercial potential. To be honest I stopped counting after reaching thecentury. Among my LI tribe we’ll all pretty much volunteer jesters, satiristsand wits.

 

 

If you’re on LinkedInand you’re looking for a writer, here’s where to find me:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/professionalwriter1/

 

* or not

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Published on June 30, 2025 05:53
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