One of the hardest things for me to do after I completed my manuscript was call myself a writer. I didn’t think I could claim that title if I wasn’t published. I had to overcome some of my own misgivings, and put in a bit of effort, before I was confident enough to admit that I am a writer.

First, I had to stop being embarrassed about writing romance. There’s this stigma that we romantics live with our heads in the clouds and have no clue about reality. I’ll admit that I’ve lived a happy life, but I’ve had enough setbacks, and heart breaks, to give a healthy dose of reality. Romance is my way to escape from the routine circumstances of life. Everyone has their guilty pleasure (how else do we justify reality TV) and romance is mine. So I started slipping that I wrote romance it into conversations and guess what? No one scowled, laughed or criticized. If anything, my friends, family and colleagues were impressed that I actually committed to writing a novel. It didn’t take me long to realize that the only negative vibe I got from writing romance was from me.

Second, I had to learn more about the business of writing and join discussions about writing. It was scary to put myself out there as a new writer. It’s like high school; you’re trying to fit in while all the popular kids know where to go, what to do, and how to speak. So in my usual anal way, I read as much as I could about writing and publishing. I got information on writing from websites, blogs and the library. Apparently all writers should be using Twitter, so I read Twitter for Dummies. I’m not ashamed to admit that, I embrace it. It’s an example of my dedication to understand what it’ll take for success. I may not know everything, or be 100% there, but I’m not afraid to continue to learn.

Once I began talking about my writing, and researching publishing, it hit me. No, I may not be instantly successful, but I’m in this for the long haul. What’s the worst that can happen? People read my book and not like it. OK, then I’ll find out why and try to make the next one better. That’s life, you win some and you lose some, but nothing comes without hard work and dedication. I am a writer. I don’t need someone to give me an authentic writer certification. I’m aspiring to be published, but even if that never happens I’ll always be a writer. I enjoy writing. It’s my escape from reality and my opportunity to let a random daydream become a full-blown story. It’s a part of me. Now when I tell people I write my confidence shows. Regardless of what happens in the future, I won’t be a failure due to lack of trying.

Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since reading her first one at the age of 13. It was only natural that she would begin penning her own romances soon after. It wasn’t until 2010 that she began to actively pursue her dream of becoming a published author. She completed her first novel, You Can’t Plan Love, in the fall of 2010 and is currently finalizing revisions. When she isn’t writing, this Green Queen, as dubbed by the State Newspaper, works to improve air and water quality, while balancing the needs of her husband and two sons. You can learn more about Synithia, and her novel, by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationship and on Twitter.

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