How's the writing?

If you're a writer, do you get asked by friends and family for writing news? When they see you, do they ask So, how's the book/poetry/play coming along? and then Any news? I'm lucky enough to have friends and family who ask, and I often wish I did have news to share, but mostly when they ask How's the writing? I reply - Well, I'm doing it. I'm writing. They look at me kindly like I'm not very bright and they say to me gently, Well, that's good. Every time I hear this question, as thoughtful and well-intentioned as it is, I feel a little at a loss. Because I rarely have any news. Now and then something exciting happens, but it can be months from one small success to the next. And logically I know this is part of being a writer, that doing the work is what it's really about, that getting published or winning competitions is great, but it isn't going to happen every week. Most weeks we're just doing it, just writing, trying to translate something funny, or tragic, or magical into words. Yet in my upbringing there was a focus on 'achieving', or perhaps it's the influence of our culture, too - telling us we're not really a 'success' unless we're lining up trophies on the shelf. Sometimes I feel silly saying Well, I'm doing it. (Especially when the other person laughs!) So today I'm here to offer comfort and company to all the other writers out there, especially those feeling weighed down, weary or short on faith. It's tough, I know. Don't feel silly if you don't have a thrilling answer lately when asked about your writing. We're here. We're putting words on the page. And all the very best things take time.