When the Novelty Girls were looking for a guest blogger, they extended a generous invitation to me. At first I refused. I’m not published. What can I add to a blog usually written by a group of published authors? I don’t have anything valuable to say.
Then I realized that I do this about my writing all the time. Nevermind that I’ve submitted a 75K romantic suspense that’s been rejected and two short erotic romances that haven’t yet. I ignore that I have actually WORKED at writing. I’m not published so I don’t call myself a “writer”. Friends and family know I’m writing, but I keep the process of submission and rejection mostly to myself. My husband knows the details and Michelle (my best friend) and they share the battle of “I-suck-itis” and rejection blues.
What is the magic behind the word “published”? I fight the envy that wells up inside when I see the “Bragging Rights” on Romance Divas. I fight the frustration that comes from working hard and realizing I’ve deleted more than I’ve written. I lack experience and knowledge, but I make up for it in persistence.
Can I call myself a “Writer” if I’m not a published author? I think so. Writing, to me, is not a choice. I do it because the stories are there knocking at my brain. The characters stand up and demand attention. There’s a committee of fictional people who want the floor and my writing gives it to them.
Then, there’s the IRS take on Writers. Did you know as long as you can prove you’re submitting (and being rejected), you can claim you’re a “Writer” and start taking deductions? So, according to the IRS, I can file with the profession “Writer”.
What constitutes a “Writer”? What about talent vs. knowledge? Can someone who has grammatical knowlege and understanding of the English language sit down and “Write” a good book? Can someone with a Eighth grade education and terrible grammar write a good book?
I wonder. I’m no progeny. I won’t be writing the Great American Novel. I’m hoping I can write characters that people love and stories people remember. Getting published is my goal, of course, but it isn’t why I write. What do you all think? Do you admit you “write”? Do you admit WHAT you write?
Jennifer Leeland
aka Jennifer McKenzie
September 10th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
I struggled with that for awhile. If I was unpublished was I still a writer? Damn right! And so are you. And you’re a damn good writer. Look at this post
I admit I write, I think everyone should. Unless they want it to be their ‘personal secret’
September 10th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Like Shelli said, You ARE a writer. IMHO being a writer has nothing to do with being published. It has to do with the love you have for writing. It has to do with putting words on paper even if those words aren’t published.
I do admit I write but I struggle sometimes with saying I’m a writer. Its like I don’t believe it myself. I will say, I’m working on writing or I’m trying to be a writer. I don’t know why. I too AM a writer. I’ve had one short story published and sometimes I feel like that isn’t enough to say I’m a writer. I need to take my own advice and shout from the roof tops that I am a writer!
September 10th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
I agree with Shelli and Kelley…You dont have to be published to be a writer…
September 10th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
I know what you mean here.
Keep writing!
:o)
September 10th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
I think we’ve all struggled with that. But I agree with everyone else, you ARE a writer, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
September 11th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
A writer is someone who writes. Period. There’s nothing in that definition that says you have to be PUBLISHED.
And do I admit to writing? Yes. Do I take out a billboard saying what I write? No. My family knows because I don’t want them to be blindsided some day.
September 12th, 2006 at 3:18 am
There is magic in the word “published”. I hope the glow of it never wears off for me.
I’ve been a published author for nearly 3 years.
I’ve been a writer for 20.
Stay true to yourself and the stories you want to tell. The rest will come.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:38 am
If you write, you’re a writer. Enough said.