Economy Class Writer?

I recently went to Rhode Island for some book research and flew economy class—of course. I am a writer after all, and my name is not John Grisham. And my checking account is certainly not as full as Stephen King’s.

Really, I don’t mind sitting with the others in “steerage” (remember “Titanic?”), as long as I’m not left to drown in an emergency. The flight was fairly comfortable and I was flown safely to my destination in Providence. But the whole flight I stared at the “class curtain” directly in front of me—the divider between First Class and the rest of us plebeians.

The attendant on this flight was kind enough not to separate the two worlds, which I certainly appreciated. I often look at the pulled curtain as being somewhat ridiculous. After all, you can see through it and if someone really wanted to observe a passenger being given a warm hand cloth, I’m sure their eyes could peek beyond the drape. But frankly, I don’t care. I know what a washcloth looks like.

Separating the classes makes me think about so many areas in our society, even in the writing world. We go to a writer’s conference and our jaws drop at a “famous” author or “agent.” By the time we’ve pulled ourselves together, we missed an opportunity to say hello to a person just like you or me. They have to brush their teeth in the morning, too. 😉

Granted there are some in the literary world who would prefer to close the curtain, as it were, to newbie writers looking for a break in the industry. But those with their heads in the clouds do not represent all of the professionals in the industry. Most are gracious human beings. And if you happen to sit at a table with someone who prefers the First-Class section, just smile and try to interact. If you feel the curtain being closed to you, excuse yourself and go sit where the company is friendlier. 🙂

The truth of the matter is, even well-known authors were once newbies. Most remember where they started. Some of them might even be an introvert like many writers are. Try to give them allowances. Unless they are unbearable company!

Thinking of yourself as an “Economy Class” writer will keep you feeling unworthy and inadequate at best. Not that you should puff yourself up by touting your perfect manuscript that will take the Literary World by storm! But I encourage you to do your best, keep learning the craft, and stop hiding behind the curtain of self-doubt. We are all in this together.

Carry on.

Elaine Marie Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her latest release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. She freely admits to being a history geek. Look for her upcoming series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. The 4-book series is entitled Dawn of America. You can visit her site at www.elainemariecooper.com