I relate to your story, and I'm a writer. When I tell people I'm a writer they seem to want to know (1) what do you write (2) in what format. This is their way of figuring out if I'm a "real" writer, which in the minds of the majority of people who are non-writers means I'm (1) a published author, preferably of fiction or (2) famous. The whole thing is absurd. If I told the I was a firefighter, they'd go no farther. Or a teacher, or a nurse. There are some professions where people feel like they understand 100% what you do and what your value to society is. And then there's writing. It's like saying, "I'm a driver." Oh yeah? 18-wheeler, like in Smokey and the Bandit.

My husband is a nurse, He's stayed with the same employer for over 20 years now, with steady success. As a writer, I've switched jobs so many times my head is still spinning. Because, it turns out, I'm a writer!