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Friday night I watched the movie "Julie and Julia". For those who remember Julia Child from tv way back when, Meryl Streep gave a dead-on portrayal of the famous chef. Amy Adams was fabulous, too, and both actresses were backed by a wonderful supporting cast.

However, I had one issue with the movie. Several times throughout, Julie declared she wouldn't be a 'real' writer until she had a book published.

I completely disagree with this mindset. Even before I got published, I wrote a lot. All the time. I considered myself a writer. Afterall, I was putting words down on paper...creating stories, plots, characters, etc. Doesn't that constitute being a writer? Even as a published author, I still write many things that won't ever get into print at any time or in any place. But I'm still writing them.

Of course the happy ending in the story came when, despite Julia's apparent disapproval of the entire project, Julie had her dream come true and published a book...which of course we know was then later made into a movie.

I still argue getting the book published didn't make Julie more of a writer than she'd been in the first place. But that's just my humble opinion.

So, what do you think? Do you have to be published in order to be considered a 'real' writer? Or is it perhaps society's dictates on definitions such as this that shape the way we view things?

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

My book club read My Life in France by Julia Child right before my trip to France. So consider me a little bit biased to everything French. Needless to say, I was looking forward to seeing the film Julie & Julia, based in part on Child's book. The movie was written and directed by Nora Ephron. And I must admit, I got a bit teary-eyed - there were many touchingly sweet scenes, and Meryl Streep does a fantastic job of staying in Julia's character and capturing her enthusiasm that I was totally swept up in the story. The other characters were well cast; loved Julia's husband and the blogger Julie's husband. The scenes felt comfortable and real, with a touch of "I wish my husband would do/say that" thrown in there. And the food! My god, the food. We caught the 3:05 matinee and by the time the movie was over, it was about dinner time, and boy do I wish Julia was in my kitchen cooking. I was so ready to be her taste tester! But alas, I made lamb meatballs with small potatoes and yellow beans with butter and dill. Tasty for someone who doesn't cook well. Oh, and two glasses of wine. That always makes a meal taste better. (Except for cereal. Baily's Irish Cream is a better pairing.)