A writer is someone who:
A. loves to write.
B. writes stuff that other people love to read.
C. has work that has been purchased by a publisher.
D. is paid to write by an employer.
E. makes a living by writing.
F. has written a book.
G. has had a book published.
H. has had more than three books published.
I. other. _____________________
During the last four years I have bounced around from one of the above definitions to another. Why can't I settle on one idea? Each definition carries enormous implications. As soon as I begin to settle, I feel the need to change my mind.
What do you think? I'm beginning to think there is no right answer. If you want to be a writer, then be one. If you feel you are a writer, you are. So, say so!
"I sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the world." --Walt Whitman
15 comments:
If you write for the fun of writing then you are writer for sure!!!
with warm regards
Another Author
A all the way. If you don't love writing it would be very difficult to finish writing a long project, become a good writer, or succeed as a writer.
I would say A, but I still have a hard time admitting that I'm a WRITER. Or mabye believing that I'm good enough.
I totally agree - A all the way (and then additionally any or all of the others...) but A is a must!
As for the WW quote, it made me smile and reminded me of Dead Poet's Society - got to go and watch it this weekend!! :)
AllMyPosts, I completely agree!
Mandy, I think you're right, though I do wonder if there are people who write for their jobs who do not enjoy it. (Sounds like a dream job to me!)
Ruth, I know exactly what you mean! I've considered writing a whole post just on this topic. In the meantime, practice telling people you are a writer! ;)
Grillyfish, I like the idea of using more than one definition! And I love Dead Poet's Society!
Carla
I would say "Other" and my definition of a writer would be "someone who writes." It sounds simplistic, but the other definitions are too narrow for me. I wouldn't pick A because sometimes I hate writing haha...
By the way, Carla, I like your blog, and I've given you two awards on http://mollyandscooterhavefun.blogspot.com/. So come on over! :) (This is my haiku blog, not the other one that I closed down).
To me, authors have published a novel, story, or article. But a writer is someone who writes. Whether published or not, or even whether the writer is seeking publication or writing is a hobby. A writer is someone who writes on a regular basis!
I'd say "Other"--a writer is someone who can't not write! It's in our blood whether or not we get published (tho that's a worthy goal). We like playing with words and learning to make them shine...
lol, Mgudlewski, That totally makes sense! Thanks for the awards!
Laura, That's a good way to differentiate it.
Kenda, I LOVE this definition!
Carla
If you write because you want to, you're a writer. All the other stuff comes later.
:-)
okay, definitely not E! :)
I'd go with A for a writer and then I tend to feel an author is someone who is published. Then again, I don't call myself an author yet, because I haven't published a novel, just articles and poems. So I guess I'm in the same place as you, but with the word author!
Misha, I like thinking that many things come in time...a right time for everything, right?!
lol, Corey, The list just seemed incomplete without E!
Shannon, I know what you're saying...I've also had shorter works published, but would really like to have some books published too. It will happen!
Carla
I'll go with "Other". A writer is a person who writes, whether they get paid for it or not and whether they like it or not. Anyone who writes is a writer.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Arlee, I like how you simplify things. Writers write. So true!
Carla
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