When my son started preschool, I claimed those hours for myself. I only had two and a half hours, twice a week, but I wrote a book that year. Never during those hours did I wash dishes, fold laundry, check email, or go grocery shopping. I was able to accomplish what I did because that was the year I decided to call myself a writer and do something about it.
The more you reinforce your identity as a writer to yourself and to those around you, the more you will begin to feel like a writer, and the more you’ll write. The more you write, the closer you are to getting published. Once you feel more like a writer, you’ll begin to reach out to other writers, and you’ll learn about events in the writing community. You’ll subscribe to writing blogs; you’ll make contacts that inspire you. You’ll read more. All these are important steps toward reaching your goals.
The more you call yourself a writer, the less self-conscious you will feel saying it. The less guilt you will feel carving out time to write. The more your husband and children will begin to see you as a writer, and respect you for it.
Writers write, and attend conferences, and take workshops. So, what’s stopping you? Are you a writer, or what? Go ahead. Say it.
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Elizabeth Maria Naranjo is a writer in Tempe, Arizona. Her work has appeared in Literary Mama, SLAB Literary Magazine, Hospital Drive, Phoenix New Times, and the Arizona Republic, and is forthcoming in Babble and WOW! Women on Writing. For links to Elizabeth’s fiction and creative nonfiction, check out her website at http://www.elizabethmarianaranjo.com/.
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There is that weird awkwardness that comes with calling yourself a writer, initially. And a little fear, because you know the next question is going to be, "What have you written? Maybe I've read it!" But yes, there is a name it, claim it psychology to owning the identity.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have to say it loud, say it proud: I am a writer!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, over the last few years I've stopped thinking of myself as a writer - even though I earn money freelance ghost writing. Why? Because the regular job, which has not a lot to do with writing, has taken up the time I used to devote to fiction... I still write, and for pay, but in my head, I was more of a writer when I was writing fiction...
That's where my journey needs to go.
Great article... love the ones that make you think.