Defining yourself as a writer is a topic that I’ve touched on before. Agent Nathan Bransford’s blog post last week covered his exasperation with people whose identities are too wrapped up in being a writer. I usually agree with much that he writes, but this post had me scratching my head.
I guess he deals with many people who think themselves better writers than they actually are. I’m sure it’s frustrating to receive so many queries from people who write poorly and expect you to quickly respond with an eager acceptance of their manuscript. But do you have to be good to consider yourself a writer? Could you happily write a family history that delights everyone in your extended family and still be a writer? Could you pen the company’s monthly newsletter and still be a writer?
I think so.
Because being a writer goes a little deeper. It’s something many of us feel passionate about. I thought one of the comments on Nathan Bransford’s blog was interesting. It was by reader Adam Christopher and he wrote:
Say Mandy has a passion for rock-climbing. She goes all the time. She blogs about it. She takes part in a rock-climbing forum. She goes on big trips. She’s a bona fide, through-and-through rock-climber. During the day, she’s a receptionist at the HQ of a stationery chain. So what is she? Is she a receptionist? Does that define who she is? Not at all, she’s a rock-climber. Rock-climbing is her life.
I frequently don’t mention that I’m a writer when I’m doing mom stuff with other moms. It’s such a conversation-stopper. Much easier to be Mama and go with the flow. But I know deep down that I’m a writer. And it’s one of the greatest pleasures in my life.
I think we sometimes multitask so much that we don’t know how we want to be defined or to be viewed by others.
In Quest of Theta Magic
I like to write. Not sure I love it, as some profess to, but, I do like it. When asked, “What I do,” I don’t say, “Retired.” I say, “I write. I’m an author.”
However, that’s just to hold up my end of the conversation. I don’t really define myself that way–I mean, I don’t see myself as just that. Maybe I should, maybe I’m not dedicated enough. Maybe I’m taking what I do for granted and should be more vocal and passionate about it. But, then, that wouldn’t be me. I’ll have to think some about this.
Best Regards, Galen
http://www.galenkindley.com
Love this topic, and the post, Elizabeth. How we define ourselves is so important in our society. At parties and gatherings and conventions, etc. the first question we are usually asked is “What do you do?” Maybe it should be, “Who are you?” I am a writer, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a singer, a dancer – do I need to choose one? I don’t think so.
Karen
http://www.karenfollowingthewhispers.blogspot.com
Really interesting. I’ve thought about this a lot lately, but in terms of defining myself as a journalist. So many of my friends define themselves so much by journalism that I wonder where they’ll be when their paper lays them off. I want that label to be a part of me, but not the whole of me.
Same with defining myself as a writer. Each of us are writers, but we are also so much more. Like you, said, you’re also a Mom!
Excellent muse. Being a writer does not necessarily mean being a published author either. Writers are communicators. In that sense, we are brothers and sisters with musicians, sculptors, orators, etc., whether professional or not.
You’ve got a good point, Galen. It’s sorta like when people ask us how we are and we all say, “Fine.” Because nobody’s really asking for an in-depth analysis of how we really are.
Maybe I should develop a short and long answer to what I do, depending on the company I’m in and the situation.
Elizabeth
I think of myself as a writer. What do writers do? Well, they write and they promote and sometimes they teach. They also cook and do laundry and blog and garden and go to the gym and the grocery store. Writers are just ordinary people who write. On rare occasions, someone will look at me with awe, say, “You’re a writer? That’s so cool. Tell me about it.” That blows me away….
Patricia
http://patriciastoltey.blogspot.com
Sadly, I think some people have too romantic a vision of what it is to be a writer, and they want so badly to be unique that they will reject anyone who applies the title to someone they don’t think is worthy.
Anyone who writes is a writer, be it books, blogs, letters or journals – pubic or private, good or bad.
Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/
The answer for most people, when asked “What do you do?” is “I do a lot of things.” I guess I reserve the “I am (blank)” for what do I share with the world, for some kind of compensation.
When I was a software engineer, I answered the question with, “I work at Raytheon as a software engineer.”
Now that I write articles for magazines and newspapers, and have my book coming out in June, I answer, “I am a writer.” I had been writing for years before that, and I would have gladly said, “I like to write,” but I didn’t label myself a writer until I started sharing my words with others.
But that’s just me.
Gayle
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
Excellent thought provoking blog. I think writing is a different mindset than many other things in our lives. It is not your typical 9-5 job that you go to and leave at the office. It involves more than rote work – it requires us to commit a piece of ourselves to what we are writing.
NA Sharpe
http://nasharpe.blogspot.com
If you write, you’re a writer. The neat part of this is that writing is just one aspect of your life and all the rest gives you material for your pen and paper.