When you tell people you're a Writer...

Don't you just feel totally caught of guard when asked "Do you have a job yet?" or "What do you do for a living?"

Certainly do myself.

Really don't have anything else that you are currently up to aside from writing. Haven't graduated college like all of the other people your age yet even though it's on your list of things to do. Something that isn't easy by any means. You're right fiction but are completely unpublished. This is the position that I am in.

When people ask you the question. When they ask you the big question, How do you reply? Do you outright come out with the fact you're a writer? If so do they laugh? Tell you it's not a real job? Tell you it's just a hobby? Express sympathy you didn't ask for?

How do people respond when you tell them these things. The people around you probably support you blindly because they're good family and friends. If they're not good, they're likely to become rude and you then know not to share your aspirations with them again. Or maybe downright confusion when talking to non writers about your latest WIPs.

Do you tell people you're a writer?

How do people typically respond if and when you do?

Let me know.