Something I tend to be insecure about is my identity as a writer. A lot of writers stick to one genre, others can write pretty much anything. I feel like I'm somewhere in between. I have written different genres, but it seems like I stick to the same one for years at a time and then move on to something else. If someone asked me what I write, I wouldn't really know what to say.
I have, however, always liked my Twitter bio (which I've never changed): "I write stuff. There's an imaginary teenage boy in my brain who helps me. Otherwise, I'm pretty normal." Short, sweet, and to the point. Well, it's Twitter, so it has to be short. But sometimes I read it and feel like a complete fraud. There's the "I'm pretty normal" part, which is a stretch, but we won't get into that. And I think I hear someone saying "who the f*** are you calling imaginary???" to which I would say, "BE QUIET YOUR POST IS NEXT WEEK."
But really it's the "I write stuff" part. How true is that? Am I actually writing stuff? Well, yes and no. I haven't written a poem in probably three years. I haven't really worked on my novel (except for a few tidbits here and there) for one year. All I ever really write are blog posts. So can I still call myself a writer? Well, I still want to write, and I still get ideas, so the passion is somewhere in there even if it's so far buried I don't know where to find it.
On the other hand, it's pretty vague, which works for me. Not "I'm an aspiring novelist and poet." Not "I'm working on my WIP and hope to be published soon." Just, "I write stuff." It's entirely true. Sometimes it's just a blog post or a tweet or an email. Sometimes it's a random line of dialogue from Book 3. Sometimes it's an editing note for Book 1. It's not always a lot, but it's usually something.
So maybe I can't say a lot about being a writer. But I can say that I write stuff.
1. Yes, you most certainly can!
ReplyDelete2. Normal is overrated.
3. You're my twin.
You're writing here, so you're definitely a writer! Just keep believing it.
ReplyDeleteIt took me awhile to find my writing/genre niche - dark fiction and horror - but I'll probably still write other things, too, try my hand at this and that. Don't worry too much about labels right now - just keep thinking and imagining and being excited about writing then get the 'stuff" down on paper or on the screen. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like we're in similar boats, Sarah. I wrote a grocery shopping list last week. Does that count???
ReplyDeleteAs my character Cera likes to believe: Normalcy is relative. :) You're a writer. I like reading what you write (otherwise I wouldn't visit your blog). Don't ever let that go.
ReplyDeleteLove your reasoning. We really do have to be okay with where we're at and what we're accomplishing, eh? Otherwise we could drown in despair. BUT WE'RE NOT DOING THAT. Nope. Never.
ReplyDeleteIt is entirely accurate. And you'll get back to the other things. You have the desire, you just need to kick the drive back into high gear. :) You can do it!
ReplyDeleteIt's totally okay to come and go as you please! Just don't leave altogether! Twitter really forces you to be concise, doesn't it!??
ReplyDeleteYou write stuff! Blog posts are stuff. And you're just in a writing rut. I was in one when I was younger for a whole year until I realized the problem...I matured and my story hadn't. So I rewrote it. The decision to do that and the act of doing it was surprisingly easy.
ReplyDeleteWriting blog posts is something. Writing according to the movements of ones spirit is important, but writing purposefully is essential. I like blogging because it instills a certain sense of deadline within me. I get a sense of what you're experiencing because I think it's similar to my feelings.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Stuff makes you qualified to call yourself a writer =)
ReplyDeleteHey, any sort of writing is good writing! It's practice and it keeps the skills from getting rusty. But you know, I have a hard time determining what I write too. On all my social media stuff I say fantasy/horror, but currently I'm working on a contemporary romance. I'm worried that it won't appeal to the audience I've built, which is annoying for me, but alas not your problem lol
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you'll be fine! Just keep on writing, even if it's just a line or two of dialogue a day, it's something :)
- Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews
Writing anything qualifies you as a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteBlog posts are definitely stuff! I hadn't written one in a month before today so I know that for a fact. It's not easy coming up with posts. You are a writer in every sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely a writer, partly because it's clear that you're dedicated to your goal of being a writer, and you're a prolific blogger as well. And you might end up using some of your blog posts in your novels or your poems someday.
ReplyDeletenormal is relevant and half the time I know I'm not normal.normal is boring. So keep writing stuff. I have to laugh as I'm using my speakerphone to make this comment.
ReplyDeleteYou are a writer because you write! You'll get the novel, poetry, etc. written eventually. Just keep on writing that stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteYou write, therefore you're a writer. Everyone's path on this journey is different. I've met people who crank out novels like it's nothing. Then others take years for one story. Don't beat yourself up because you're going at your pace or life has thrown a wrench in things and writing isn't a priority. Keep putting words down, whether it's just on your blog or in a story.
ReplyDeleteWriting stuff makes you a writer. It doesn't mean you only write novels. Just keep pushing and you'll end up doing all sorts of writing . That's all that counts.
ReplyDeleteWriting "stuff" makes you a writer. It doesn't have to be a lot . . . it has to be something, so you're getting there, Ms. Writer. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI think you can say a lot about being a writer. Writer is in my opinion not based on quantity. it doesn't matter how much you write. You write and that's what counts.
All the best.
Shalom,
Patricia
I'm pretty normal too. It's not a fraudulent claim. I like peanut butter, so do most people- that qualifies me as pretty normal. You're a writer. You think in words. You express yourself in words. One of the biggest things that stopped me from writing when I was younger was the insane thinking that I had to be a certain sort of person to be a writer. Then I got old and decided I don't really give a damn what the world thinks. I want to write, therefore I will. And blogging does count. You're writing for love (and for no money!). Doesn't that make you more of a writer than someone who is only doing it for the cash?
ReplyDeleteI have no advice for the boy. Maybe turn on a football game and give him a beer.
I'm pretty normal too. It's not a fraudulent claim. I like peanut butter, so do most people- that qualifies me as pretty normal. You're a writer. You think in words. You express yourself in words. One of the biggest things that stopped me from writing when I was younger was the insane thinking that I had to be a certain sort of person to be a writer. Then I got old and decided I don't really give a damn what the world thinks. I want to write, therefore I will. And blogging does count. You're writing for love (and for no money!). Doesn't that make you more of a writer than someone who is only doing it for the cash?
ReplyDeleteI have no advice for the boy. Maybe turn on a football game and give him a beer.
Blog posts definitely count as stuff. A writer does other things besides write, like research and daydreaming and things like that. Thinking about stories is at least a good portion of the work a writer does. :)
ReplyDeleteWriting stuff makes you a writer. Nuff said. The time and volume is relative. :)
ReplyDelete