I read in a book (about writing) years ago, that if you write, you are a writer. I see the point, but I often wonder, do others perceive me to be a writer? Yes, that's always been one of my biggest fears. True, some friends recognize I love to write. But am I an author? If I have nothing officially published, can I call myself an author? Or is that title reserved for the lucky ones who have actually been published? Lucky? Or is it hard work and determination? Am I lacking the training I need? Do I not have the correct connections? Is my writing not good enough? All valid questions and ones I shall be addressing in the near future. For today, my fear is solely on the following question.
Am I an author? I do have an eight episode YA short story series. Unpublished, of course. Though I have been posting the polished bits to my blog here. But does that make me an author?
Am I really a writer?
What do you think?
Thank you for joining me, as I explore the rest of my insecurities and a few of the questions listed above in the following months.
My IWSG postings will be done the first Wednesday of every month. My fellow writers will be doing like-wise. Are you an insecure writer? Why not join the group? You can find out more information via the website found HERE.
The site is founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh - Thanks for all the support!
You may not be a published writer, but you're definitely a writer.
ReplyDeleteCalling yourself a writer is hard. It carries a lot of baggage. I've got one book out and another on the way and I still hesitate to call myself I'm a writer. I'm a hack, sure, but Kurt Vonnegut and Terry Pratchett are writers. There's got to be another similar but less important title, right?
IWSG September Post
In the next few months, perhaps I'll discover what that title is.
DeleteAnd yes, I do seem to have a lot of writers baggage already.
Hi Jeffrey - you're still a writer .. and your series is ready to move on - isn't it?! Good luck and keep on writing, keep on promoting and keep on learning ... and then keep on publishing - go for it - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement. I have just finalized only two of the eight parts. I'm hoping to have the rest finished within a year. Then, see what I can do with it. To be honest, I'd like to get the first four parts all finished before the end of this year.
DeleteWelcome to the IWSG! You're in the right place.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely a writer, work published or not.
Cool! I hope my IWSG articles meet the par. As stated above, I have MANY insecurities.
DeleteI'm looking forward to all the encouragement AND doing my bit to encourage as many as I can. I've already started visiting other sites and giving support or comments.
You don't need anyone to tell you that you're a writer. Don't worry about being called an author - that is something different and you don't need to pay attention to it. If you wait around waiting to be called a writer - you are a waiter. It's fine to be a waiter if you are getting paid (and tips) but otherwise, it is better to just flat out tell people that you are, indeed, a writer.
ReplyDeleteGreat words. Ironically, some waiters ARE writers. I certainly was when I was younger. Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteYou write a published blog. I'd say that makes you a writer. You write as yet unpublished stories. That still makes you a writer. The problem is the perception from the outside world that worries you. I think we spend too much time doing that regarding our writing and our LIVES. I think we are what we decide we are.
ReplyDeleteGood point! Very fair assessment of me. I do care a great deal about what others think. I realize, perhaps, I shouldn't.
DeleteYou've authored an unpublished series? You are an author! But I had the same question once, it does feel as though being published will change things - it doesn't. Especially when it comes to insecurities. Ever thought about self-publishing on Amazon, if not the series, a short story? Get your feet wet in a bigger arena, but be prepared for an adventure! Welcome to the IWSG!
ReplyDeleteI have not thought about self publishing on Amazon. I think there is so much more I need to learn, and so many more avenues I need to explore. Thanks for the suggestion and the comments.
DeleteDon't go getting hung up on labels. It's a waste of your time.
ReplyDeleteWrite for your biggest fan, you.
Work hard.
Write harder.
Keep moving forward.
Before, during, and after getting published, its always going to be hard work.
Best wishes!
Thank you for sharing with the IWSG.
Heather
Wow, never thought about working for my biggest fan. It's a great idea.
DeleteSo many times I try to write only what I think others will enjoy.
Far too often I shy away from things because I think they will not be well received.
Yes, you really are a writer. Never question it. We're such an anxious bunch, we have plenty of other things to be insecure about! :) Take that step and query your story. You never know what might happen until you try.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love your picture with the TARDIS!
True enough. If I were not anxious about my writing, I'd find something new to be anxious about. I'm hoping to take that first step soon. So all the encouragement has been appreciated by everyone so far.
DeletePS - I love the Tardis picture too. ;)
Congratulations to the group. It is really nice to have a new member. You are absolutely a writer. No doubt there. Don't worry about what others think. As writers, we tend to be our own worst critics. So, be your own biggest fan first:) The first person you have to please, is yourself. Don't give up. Keep on writing and enjoy every moment.
ReplyDeleteYes, being our own worst critic is terrible. So much better to be our own biggest fan. I have to admit, I LOVE the current series I'm writing. Even if I am anxious whether anyone else will like it.
DeleteAlways plenty of worries, but IWSG has a lot of people there to help you through them. Welcome.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the exchange of encouragement.
DeleteHowdy, Jeffrey! "I LOVE the current series I'm writing..." Well, there you have it; you are indeed a writer! Write on, my friend and welcome to IWSG :-) (I'm new here too and loving it!)
ReplyDeletePoint taken. By writing, I'm being a writer. Why I feel like something need to go hand in hand with that I don't know. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYou are definitely a writer. When people write and say they want to be a writer...they have it confused. Writer means you write, so they already are. Author means you're published. So yes, you are a writer and someday you will be an author. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you have faith in me being an Author someday. And yes, what you say makes perfect sense.
DeleteI think all that matters is whether YOU consider yourself a writer or not. But if you write, you're a writer...and you have every right to tell people you're one! (I'm a freelance writer so 100% of my salary comes from writing--I am definitely a writer, but it doesn't seem to really impress people much!)
ReplyDeleteI do consider myself a writer. If not for the weekly blog I keep updated, the for the eight part YA series I wrote. As others have mentioned above, I'm just not a published writer. As for impressing people, I'm impressed with you. And I'm also not really looking to impress anyone on my end. I just want to be a writer. So I'm working on improving my craft more and more, thus the blog writing. I look at blog writing as experience building.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
We all go through this, asking ourselves "who" "what" we are. We are exactly what we think we are, no matter what others believe or tell us. So glad to have you in our group!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying so Lisa. you are an inspiration to me.
Delete