And so are you. Yet so many times when asked what we do, we don't tell about being writers. I think that's because we know the next question will be "what have you published?" And it's really hard when we have to say nothing.
But you know what? You really are a writer, even if you haven't been published. Being published isn't what makes us a writer. Writing is. If you are learning your craft, writing and putting ideas on paper then you are a writer. Being published is just one of the things we do as a writer. Many writers don't even care about publication, they may just want to leave a bit of today for the future generations of their family.
It took me a long time to announce to the world I was a writer. The first time I admitted to being a writer, my mouth turned dry and my heart pounded so hard I thought my chest would burst. And yes, it was hard to say I'd not been published. But the more we think of ourselves as writers, the more writerly we become. Yes, I still have days when I don't feel like a writer but they are becoming fewer and far between.
Today I challenge each of you to tell someone that you are a writer. Start thinking of yourself as a writer and others will too.
Jean
I am a writer!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
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4 comments:
I've felt the same way before, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I don't have a published novel, although I do have published short stories and articles. It's that feeling that Okay, everybody can write, everybody can call themselves a writer, and I don't have a diploma that says I'm a writer, but all of that is subjective. I agree with you: the more you say you're a writer, the more you feel like one. Good advice. I'm going to tell everyone today I'm a writer, and soon I'll be an expert!
Part of the reason I don't like to say "I'm a writer" or even "I'm learning to be a writer" is that where I live it seems that everyone is a writer. It's like telling someone around here that you have teeth.
But, I'll be brave. I'll say it.
You're right. You've made a great point; many of us who love to write let the label "unpublished" reflect poorly on our self esteem with regard to the profession, yet the only way to grow is to look ahead and keep on chugging along. If writing is what we love, we'll succeed through publishing at some point. Chins up!
I'm accepting my own challenge! I'll be out and about in town most of the day and I'm going to find someone and tell them I'm a writer too.
:-) Jean
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