I am a writer and have considered myself such since I was nine. It is my passion and how I identify myself just as much as saying, “I have long brown hair and wear glasses.” It’s not a hobby, it’s part of my soul. Writing is as necessary to my life as breathing, and, like breathing, were I to stop doing it, I’d die – or go insane.

Unlike you, I never hid my love of writing. My parents encouraged me all the way. What did take some getting used to was the actual sharing of the story. Would my readers like it?! I took criticism very hard for a long time, even if someone was just pointing out a simple typo or misspelled word. Slowly, I came to accept and truly appreciate constructive criticism. It’s made me better at my craft.

Though I’ve had numerous articles and novels published, both with a traditional publisher and self-published, I still don’t earn enough to make a living at it. The small royalties I get every month are nice, but that’s not what’s important to me. Getting the story out is what matters. Sharing it with others and knowing I have educated, amused and/or entertained my readers brings me the greatest joy. Certainly I’m still learning, but just because there’s a lot to learn doesn’t mean that in the meantime I’m not a writer.

Soon, I will be sending off a book to one of my writer friends, who DOES make a living at it, and frankly, I’m terrified. TERR-I-FIED! But, it’s a step I need to take to learn. It’s one thing for family and friends to say they like your work, it’s another for a real professional at it to give it the once over. YIKES!

Best of luck with your writing, ZP. BELIEVE in yourself as a writer and I think you’ll discover that the writing will come easier to you.

Pamela

Amen, loove it. DOES GETTING PAID for something mean you ARE that something?

A thoughtful post with lots of candid, personal points, as well as some important professional ones, but I have to agree with Linda and Anita on the line, “…you are never a writer. You are always becoming one. There is always more to learn….”

A writer is one who writes and has a facility for expressing their thoughts, ideas, and stories through the written word. We don’t hesitate to call a singer a “singer” if she sings well and does it where others can hear her; it doesn’t depend on her income, the status or number of those singing jobs, or even if she could, over time and experience, become a BETTER singer. She’s out there singing—so we call her a singer.

I don’t believe being in the process of evolving and learning—a state every artist, craftsmen, or professional of any kind should always be in—diminishes one’s status. It’s a part of one’s status.

I know I am always learning; certainly my income fluctuates (dammit! 🙂 ); I sometimes do other things to make money, but I AM a writer. Proudly and without hesitation.

I agree. If one writes, they are a writer. They could be published or unpublished – full or part time, brilliant or not. A writer is one who finds joy in emptying the contents of their hearts and bringing forth tangible evidence of what before was intangible. I’m a writer! And so are you!