Happy Monday Besties!
As a writer when I first started this journey towards writing I didn’t own it. I wasn’t sure what to call myself. When does one call themselves a writer, a creator, an artist? There are moments where you must decide when you’ve taken the plunge and the fact that you’re never leaving.
I read Stephen King’s book On Writing and immediately I was hooked. He told me I had to decide when I called myself a writer. For me it was writing and completing my first draft. There, I had a goal, something to work towards. When I completed my first full draft I was over the moon. Officially a writer, someone who is going to write for the rest of their lives, I had unleashed the beast.
Own who you are, own who you wanna be, own the goals it takes to get there.
What stage are you at in owning it?
54 comments:
I became a writer once I realized that no matter what happened with queries, submissions, etc. I would continue writing. It's in my blood. Good post Jen - awesome job at continually coming up with interesting material.
That's a great question. I guess once I got back my first critique and realized I wanted to keep going and never stop, even though I needed to re-write the whole thing.
Great post.
Like you, after completing my first novel, I knew I would be writing for a very long time.
I go back and forth. In the literal sense, I am a writer simply because I write, and love to write, and see no reason to ever stop writing. At the same time, I don't write consistently or as much as I'd like to. I guess if someone were to ask me what I do, I would lean more towards saying "I write" instead of "I'm a writer".
Maybe I just really need to own being a writer, and embrace it no matter what stage I'm in, or what progress I make.
I own it now but sometimes a little sheepishly. I want to learn to be bold about it.
http://www.wingedwriter.blogspot.com/
Although I my confidence still wavers from time to time, I'm owning it, now--all of writing, from the ups and downs to the learning and even teaching times.
I'm a novelist! Plural! I've got one completed (*cough* and five uncompleted manuscripts) and one WIP that's 50 percent finished. Whether or not I ever get published I can proudly say, "I've written X number of novels."
I love On Writing, it's one of the best writing books I've read. I definitely own it. I knew ever since my first story that I wanted to continue writing, and since the characters don't leave me alone, I'm pretty sure I'll never give up.
I've always wanted to be a writer, but until I actually sat my butt in my chair and wrote, it wasn't true. Now I write :)
Wagging Tales - Blog for Writers
Thanks for this Jen!
I often doubt myself every now and then, but I do indeed consider myself a writer, who is good at what he does.
Super post, Jen! My husband didn't understand why I would tell people I was a writer even though I don't have a published book (yet). I explained that I have to believe that I will be a published author someday, but I am a writer right now.
I finally owned the author thing last fall. Now working on being more than a one-hit-wonder.
This has been the toughest thing for me--I'm surrounded by such awesomeness on the bookshelves and in the blogosphere that I can't quite put myself in the same category yet. I hope to someday :)
I didn't feel like a writer until my first book published. I now realize how very wrong that is.
I think I'm owning it--some days more than others!! Great post, Jen!!
It took me a while to "own it" too--but I do now. Completely!
Own it, work it...read it! As far as the stage? Right now, I think I may be renting. Just kidding.
I've always called myself a writer but it was very hard, even after my first book came out, to relate to the word author. It sounded pretentious. Now I am used to it. But Writer has always been a part of who I am.
I own it on the internet. :) I think when I finish my revisions I'll be ready to own it elsewhere.
I've been writing stories since I was 7 or 8, but it was my junior year of college that I started taking myself seriously as a writer. Officially owning it now! Loud and proud! :)
I. LOVE. THIS. POST!!!! :-)
I like this. I don't know when I decided to own it, but I did :-p
I had a professor who once said you're not a writer unless you're writing every day, which i think is BS. But you're a writer if you're thinking about writing a lot, and putting thought into action. How you quantify it is up to you.
oooh great advice!
After having many many people telling me I had the perfect name for a writer, I just started calling myself a writer when I first set pen to paper, little blinking line on word to the first sentence of my first draft.
I loved Stephen King's book On Writing. It's a must read for anyone who wants to be a writer.
I've always been a writer, I started writing stories when I was eiht or nine, and have continued eer since. Writing is as much part of me as breathing.
i wrote my first story when i was in fourth grade. it was about 15 whole pages of awesome.
a friend and i wrote a book together a couple years ago (i will always argue that i did more of the writing) and i didn't consider myself a writer until i finished my first draft all by my self last year (i'm such a big girl). woooooh.
There are still times I feel more like a writer than other times, but once I completely committed myself to publishing my work I started to think of myself as a writer.
You're right about having to own it. I started calling myself a writer though I haven't written anything of consequence yet. I feel it's important to call yourself the thing you want to be.
I started owning my writing at about age 9. But as for everything else about me... well, that's taken some time. I've become more aggressive in taking responsibility for my life and my choices and am encouraging others to do the same. :) I am amused by the number of "owning it" posts I've seen recently; it's like the Universe is trying to tell me something.
Stopping by from A to Z. Great post! I love On Writing. I own it now, but it sure took me awhile to get there!
Great question. I would say the thought I was a writer hit me when I finished my first manuscript. That was a huge 'OMG, i've written a book' moment. :)
I'm owning it. Every inch of blood, sweat and tears is owned, if not anything else!;)
I'm not sure I'm totally committed to "owning it" as a writer... I want to - just not sure I'm there yet. But, perhaps, that mentality is what holds me back? Another thing to add to my "self-improvements" list. However, it's very clear that YOU own it! And I think that's awesome! :)
What you've said is so true, because a person can't be a writer and not own something that's going to be in print for many years to come. I'm sure there are writers out there who regret, but if one own's their work, they can see progress instead of regret.
I'm owning it! Great post. Very motivational.
Owning it right there with you, Jen! :o)
Great advice! I'm still in the deciding what my goals are versus my dreams. Narrowing it all down so I can get something done.
I'm a writer because I figured out sometime last year that I am not complete without it.
Tessa.xx
ps. I love On Writing!!
pps. I shall be an Author once I'm published, lol.
Tessa's Blurb - Dream. Imagine. Write.
hi miss jen! i got it owned pretty fast cause when i was soooo sick all i wanted to do is keep on writing. for sure you gotta be a writer to wannt do that! :)
...big super hugs from lenny
Not sure how I landed here, but love the April Challenge going on. Would have loved to participate, then again I might not have been able to spend the time/effort right now(maybe next time). Kudos to you and all who are in it. Its been wonderful to see the string of ideas flowing ...
Awesome post girl! I think once my first draft is complete I'll be able to call myself a writer, although I'm not sure if I will ever be comfortable calling myself a writer.
I'm owning it! But it took me a long, long time to get here. And I still stutter when people ask what I do... I think I need to practice in front of the mirror. "I'm a writer. I'm a writer. I'm a writer."
Alas, I own it so much I'm paying a mortgage to it. Well, not really. But if feels like it. I'd stop if I could.
What a great question! I have no problem whatsoever calling myself a writer. I LOVE to write and would do so even if my daughters weren't clamoring to read my next book. They're great beta readers! So encouraging! The stories in my head won't leave me alone. And I love the company. :) My husband tells me that I'm an author, and perhaps he's right. I've finished my book. It's just not published. So I guess that makes me an unpublished author. :) I look forward to the day when I can take the "unpublished" part off and shout the rest from the rooftop.
Found you on the A to Z challenge. Wonderful to "meet" you! Following you now too. :)
A great post Jen. Caught your medical question at Lydia's and I have some info in one of my journals which is not with me on holidays. If I find it I will send it to you. Very, very interesting.
Denise<3
L'Aussies Travel A-Z Challenge O is for Outback
Brilliant question to go with an equally excellent post.
I had two things happen for me whereby I could then say "I'm a writer" and own it - both are related to the same piece and it's in its final stages.
Happy Thoughts,
Jenny
I've owned it long ago, but I would lie if I said I never got the bad case of the ifies--even though I've already been picked up by a publisher, it won't go away. Reviews, you know?
We can't please all of the people all of the time, but we can please some of the people some of the time.
*sigh*
♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Good question! Most things about myself, I totally own. Other parts, I'd love to trade for a newer, younger version. :-)
My 2011 resolution was to announce "I am Writer" (hehe), but well, it's only April, right??
erica
I own that I write, but I feel like calling myself a writer should come when I get published, or at least agented. Just feels like I should be humble about it.
You have an amazing blog!!
Visiting from the A-Z challenge.
http://muruginjehia.blogspot.com
Her World.
I have been a writer most of my life! I started calling myself a writer a couple of years ago, when I realized that no matter how hard I run from it, I still am a writer.
I'm still working on my first draft so I don't feel that I own it just yet!
Duncan In Kuantan
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