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I read a post (see here) last night that sent me into a fit and not because it was a bad post. I decided to sleep on my feelings because I was tired and I tend to be irrational when I’m tired. Please see said post, which is excellent, because anything you read from me won’t be nearly as good as I didn’t sleep well last night. The thought won’t leave me alone though so I hope you can wade through this and get my point.
Usually when someone says they have a particular profession, people want to see a product of it. I’m a nurse, I can produce my nursing license as evidence of my profession and show you where I’m employed at. I’m also a professor and can bring you to my classroom (though I doubt you’d actually want to stay) and introduce you to my students. Those things are my identifiers and feel like they are a part of who I am.So, because I write, that should make me a writer . . . Right?
Why is it that my being a nurse and my being a professor aren’t questioned, but my being a writer is? Why do I need to prove something before I can lay claim to that title. That’s what I was frustrated about. All three require work, but the last makes people raise their eyebrows questioningly. Stop that thing you’re doing with the eyebrow, it’s unsettling.
My history of writing can be summed up in a few short sentences. I’ve been a journaler since middle school with countless finished journals in my old room at my mom’s house. I’ve attempted stories in high school and in the last two years have started writing for my personal enjoyment. It started as short stories and lousy attempts at flashes, then progressed to longer novellas and novel length pieces. It was fun and allowed me to be creative. I’ve blogged for a long time so naturally I wanted to share my stories with others. I enjoy it and I want you to enjoy it as well.
It wasn’t until recently that I’d gotten serious about the concept of my being a writer as part of my identity. Before it was something I did because I liked it and now it is something more. I don’t just write, I am a writer.
To help me in laying claim to that title, one of my New Years resolutions -well, the only one really- is to publish a book this year or to work toward that goal at least. Does that mean because I haven’t done so I’m not a writer? I call shenanigans. Shenanigans! Shenanigans!
I read another great post that talked about how sharing our writing is what makes us writers (I’m pretty sure in my state of insomnia I managed to interpret that correctly).
We, as writers, have the capacity to touch others and change their lives through what’s been floating around in our brains. I don’t think we have to be writing nonfiction or how-tos to do that. I think fiction also has the ability to reach down into someone’s heart and change them. The theme of a well written book can be life-changing. If I’m posting something on my blog and it’s helpful then I say I’m still a writer.
My goal is to get published and sharing that future book with the world is important. They say the world needs our words and thoughts. As a writer, I’m working to give those to them. Here ya go, World, and you’re welcome. 
I think being a writer also comes when you believe it’s true of yourself. When you stop looking at the words you put on the page as a hobby and start looking at them as a way to reach out.
So, I’m a daughter, a nurse, a professor, and a writer. No buts or questions.
(Man, I hope this made sense. My eyelids are heavy and it’s almost time to actually get up. It’s going to be a couple of cups of tea kinda day.)
Writers gotta write — after a good night’s sleep, of course.
You said it in the end. You are what you want to be and what you do (practice). For example, I can say I’m an artist because I paint pictures, I am a writer because I write poems and stories, I am an editor because I edit, I am a guitar player because I play guitar. Heck, I’m a dog lover because I love dogs and I’m a cook because I like to cook…
I may not be expert at all these things and I don’t make money at most of them, but if I do them because I enjoy them and improve with practice, then I am any or all of these things.
Exactly. Thanks for your comment.
“I think being a writer also comes when you believe it’s true of yourself. When you stop looking at the words you put on the page as a hobby and start looking at them as a way to reach out.”
That says it all … forget anything else. You are a writer.
Thanks for the compliment on my post! You see, this is what writing is all about – I wrote something and you’ve read it and started thinking about it, and have now produced a great post on the same topic!
I know what you mean about writing being viewed as a less valuable career choice because its results are less tangible for the public, unless you publish a book. But so many years of work go into producing that single book that it’s just not fair!
Good to have a goal in mind, but don’t get overwhelmed by its immensity: “Inch by inch, it’s a cinch. Yard by yard, it’s hard.”
I really loved your post. I got so upset when I was reading it because I thought who was he to tell you that you weren’t a writer?! Thanks for the inspiration.
Most people see a profession as something you’re getting paid for. The only difference between us and a “successful” writer is the amount of money they make and how well known their books are. You could write a better book than a “professional writer” but if it doesn’t have those twe things people don’t think it’s justifiable to give to yourself the title of “writer”. I hate that. We are writers….and damn good ones. I feel your pain
You’re a writer. Claim it! It’s your identity now. Just as shopping, makes you a shopper, giving birth makes you a mom, writing makes you a writer.
I need to get a plaque that says, “Hey, you. I’m a writer.” Thanks for your comment.
This made sense to me.
We are whatever we want ourselves to be, and far be it from anyone else to define what we are. Do you write? Anything? Then you are, by definition, a writer. Intended audience, level of “professionalism,” and education have nothing to do with it.
Good luck on your goal of publishing a book this year! It’s going to be hard, but if you succeed… totally worth it.
If you want to feel an immense sense of self-discipline and accomplishment as far as writing is concerned, can I suggest NaNoWriMo to you? It’s a wonderful project, challenge, and really forces you to make headway on a project that’s been on the back burner. Plus, it really shows you how much of a writer you are, even when you may think you are not. And it’s not until November.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I have thusfar enjoyed yours!
I like to think I’m prepared for how hard it’s going to be to actually publish, but I know I’m not prepared. I have a ways to go before I’m to that point so I’ll hopefully grow some thicker skin in the interim.
I did NaNo for the first time this past November. I found that challenges like that are excellent motivators for getting me to write. Thanks for popping over here.
Are you going to publish the Allison or Isa stories, or write something new for your resolution?
I’m working on revising both stories in the hope of publishing one or both. Allison is a better first rough draft so it’s looking more likely after I do some work on it. Isa needs so many heavy revisions that I don’t know. I also have other long stories that need revised I’m considering publishing as well.
Yes, yes, yes!
Very good points, indeed! A marriage license says I’m a wife, two birth certificates say I’m a mother, and a teaching certificate says I’m an elementary teacher. However there is no imperial evidence that affirms me as a writer and natural born Grammar Nazi (a title I probably wouldn’t want affirmed under black and white, if I had a proper think about it).
The word “profession” is being refined all the time! Just 20 years ago, teaching was still NOT considered a profession. This has been a recent change, one I am happy about, but it proves the point that while writing may not be defined as a socially accepted and lauded profession today, it could, no WILL, be one day.
Keep writing! You and I, dear writer, WILL be published by the end of the year. This is not just a goal, it is an achievable goal. I will be among those standing in a que to purchase your published work.
Thought you might appreciate this.
http://sjskogerboe.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/am-i-really_steven-pressfield.jpg
Oh, I liked that. Thanks linking and for stopping by.
I love this part toward the end where you said, “I think being a writer also comes when you believe it’s true of yourself. When you stop looking at the words you put on the page as a hobby and start looking at them as a way to reach out.”
This is so true. This was where I struggled. I want my words to reach others and invoke emotions. If I can use it to help others, that would be even better! I enjoy your postings!
It took me a bit to claim being a writer as true. Gotta embrace what’s ours. Thanks for stopping in!
Very thought-provoking post. You said it all. I’m a student (I can prove it), and I work as an interpreter (certificate to show), but that whole “writer” thing?? Yeah, tough to prove when the only thing I have to show for it is my blog. I look at this way – even as a student, I’m a writer. I have to write papers, right? Just because I’m an aspiring writer, should it make me any LESS of one? Well, don’t answer that – without that long list of works and awards, I’ll admit I sometimes feel UNwriterly.
I figure if I put my imagination to the test, get it all down on a word processing document (does anyone write long hand anymore?) then I’m a writer, dangit! Great post, I really enjoyed it.
I feel like aspiring writers should start like an AA group. “Hi, my name is CC and I’m a writer.” Anything to help us be who we should and stop being so scared about it. I’d be the first kid to a meeting. Thanks for commenting.
Sleep or no, it makes perfect sense. What I’m about to say is going to seem a little bit like semantics, but, I’m a writer, it comes with the territory.
I think there’s a difference between being a writer and being an author. I think there are tons of writers in this world, and far fewer authors. Simply put an author is someone who has been published (preferably for pay). A writer is someone who writes. Most likely a writer is someone who is incapable of not writing.
As for the raised eyebrow thing, I think anyone who does that, truly does not understand the compulsion to write. Those people hear writer and then think author and it’s like meeting, well, just about any waiter in LA and having them tell you they’re an actor. “Have you been in anything I would know?” you think.
When non-writer’s hear writers say, “I’m a writer”, and they think, “Have you written anything I would know?”. They think the person is boasting some acclaim they do not possess (yet), when it reality writers are writers, no matter the media or audience.
You ARE a writer and nobody can take that away from you just because they don’t understand… Hopefully, one of these days, in the not so distant future, you’ll be an author too!
People are going to have opinions on whether or not you’re a writer forever. Trust me, I have family who claim I don’t work because I’m a writer. Chin up, trudge on, you’re a writer. And if you want proof, they sell t-shirts in the style of “Castle” with the word boldly written across the chest.
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I like this post. This is true, people want proofs about you being a writer. When I tell others I am one, they would immediately ask me if I have a book or which paper I am writing for. You don’t need to have a publish book to be a ‘certified’ writer (but of course we all want I think to have something published if not now, in the future.). I read somewhere before that, if you want to be a writer, you gotta stop telling ‘I’m an aspiring writer’. Just say you are a ‘Writer’ even though you haven’t even finished your novel or whatever you’re writing is.
I’m in the same boat as you… I’ve struggled for a long time with the idea of whether I’m a writer even if I don’t have a finished product to show people.
But I think you’re right; a writer is a writer (as dumb as that sounds). I don’t even think of it on par with professions like teaching or nursing or what-not. I think of it more along the lines of “being” rather than “doing”, you know?
The same way that a singer is a singer or a dancer is a dancer; there is an innate, god-given ability involved in it versus something you _aim_ to be.
Cheers
It is more of a being, but I can’t help thinking of it as a doing. Just how my mind works. Thanks for your comment!
You write very well and you are very insightful — I think you have a lot to say to the world. Good luck with getting published! Thanks for visiting my blog too by the way!
Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your comment.
I would say I am a writer because I like to write. I can also call myself an artist because I paint. I am also a mother and animal lovers. I don’ feel that one needs a fancy degree hanging on the wall to prove it either.
Agreed! Thanks for stopping by.
I love the idea of writing as a way of reaching out to others, as you described here in your post. You’re a writer because you write. It’s something that you do. It’s not entirely who you are because there are many facets to your life, and that’s what makes life exciting. Continue writing, you are good at it. Claim it and forget the doubters/haters.:)
Thanks for stopping in! I appreciate your commenting.