I read a couple of blog posts from fellow writers this past week talking about their hesitancies in calling themselves writers or authors, even though both of them have had works published.
The main thoughts that ran through my head were, “Well, of course, you’re a writer. You’ve written books, published them, and continue to write. Why wouldn’t you call yourself a writer?”
As I understood their explanations, when they were asked what they do, they weren’t confident enough in themselves due to the social stigma of saying “I’m a writer.”
If they were to say they were writers, they’d often get questions like, “Have you been published?” or worse, “Yes, but what’s your real job.” So some fellow authors would respond with falling back on their other day job, such as working in an office or a stay-at-home mom.
But they came to the realization that they ARE worthy of the title of writer. They ARE WRITERS/AUTHORS. It’s part of who they are. It’s a part of who all of us writers are.
It’s an extension of ourselves. Our hearts, souls, experiences, and unique social and cultural backgrounds. We share this indirectly and sometimes directly in our writings, and it’s a good thing.
I have to tell you, saying I am a writer has been easy. It is one area in my life where I have complete confidence.
I knew I could write in my teens and early twenties, even though I lacked a lot of knowledge on how to write in-depth characters, totally believable plots, and point of view (POV).
Even after I quit writing from around 1997 to 2014, I never thought I couldn’t write. I’d just put it on the back burner due to putting business college, a job, my marriage, and then my children along with my husband as my top priority (as I felt I should be).
I didn’t really think too much about picking up a pen and scrawling across a blank sheet of paper then because few ideas sprung up.
Life works that way, I think. Things happen when they’re supposed to.
Ideas began to sprout in the summer and early fall of 2014 before I registered for online college to get a degree in Creative Writing and English.
The ideas did start popping up when I knew I could make my schooling experience all about writing stories, all about a future in what has always been in me since I was a child.
That flame has never been totally doused.
Playing certain sports and writing stories were the only two things I had total confidence in myself throughout my childhood, adulthood, up to the present day.
My confidence grew through four years in college. All the negative thoughts I had of myself that I’d heard from people throughout my life lessened, became small, insignificant. I began to see myself much more positively.
Yes, I am smart. Yes, I can write very well. Yes, I am a writer. It’s part of who I am. I’m thankful I’ve not felt insecure, scared, or apprehensive in telling people who ask me what I do.
Even if I’d never had anything published, I’m still an author. It’s my job. It’s my main focus every day in the midst of my family and life of faith.
Have you had the confidence to tell others you are a writer? If you’re writing on a regular basis. If it’s your passion. If it’s part of who you are, YOU ARE A WRITER. Wear that badge with honor and pride.
~*~*~*~
Modest Musings 
Love this post and all the positive vibes ❤
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Thank you! Thank you for stopping in and sharing your thoughts. I’m glad my post uplifted you. 🙂
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Of course you’re right, and when you put it like that why would anyone have doubt? Unfortunately, so many of us tie our vision of being a writer to external goals (like publishing). When those external goals don’t go so well, it automatically affects our perceptions, i.e., we aren’t good enough. Being a writer comes from the inside, the soul, the muse, whatever we choose to call that center of our creativity. We have to protect it like it’s treasure lest it be mishandled. 🙂
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So right, Kate! Writing is a gift, and when we possess this gift, we know it inside our hearts, and we should share it with others. 🙂 Thanks for your insightful comment!
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Also, I think if we see every milestone we make in our writing endeavors, such as finishing our first drafts, polishing up our novels for publishing, publishing our works, and not hinging everything on what monetary returns we make, we can celebrate and find satisfaction in our work. After all, we’ve accomplished a great deal in creating a world and its characters never been read or seen before. 🙂
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Yes, you are a writer. Beautifully written!
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Thank you, and thank you for stopping in to read my post!
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Thanks for those encouraging words. I’m a teacher and I’ve always loved writing for my job. I’m now writing a novel and have struggled to tell anyone barring my closest family and friends. Will this get easier when (if!) I ever have anything published?
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Hi, Roger. I’m glad you found my post encouraging. 🙂 That’s wonderful that you get to write within your job as a teacher. I think that makes it a bit easier if writing is attached to your job. 🙂
As far as struggling to tell anyone about your writing a novel, what is making it difficult to tell them? Are your reasons the same as a couple of fellow writers that I mentioned above? The other writer said she judged her success on how many book sales she’d made. If she didn’t make much, that meant she hadn’t succeeded. But she realized that she’d already succeeded in completing her novel and ones after that, and that she continued to write and publish her work. Those are all successes, and I think, milestones in a way. It may be more difficult for an author to feel success if they are trying to support themselves on writing alone, and it isn’t putting forth enough income. But from many stories of fellow writers that I’ve read, and this includes my own situation, is that they either have a full-time job other than writing, and/or they have a spouse who works full-time that supports their writing. My situation is the latter.
In any case, if you are writing a novel, novella, short story, poem, etc., you are a writer. Therefore, there’s nothing dishonest or shameful or embarrassing in telling others that you do that.
My short story was published in an anthology in April 2018, along with eleven other people’s stories, via an online writing contest from November 2017. There’s not been great sales on this anthology. I think those are harder to sell because it’s not one author. I didn’t see this as a failure. I’m proud of my work being published and put out in print. It was wonderful to see and a great milestone in my writing career. Every little step I accomplish in my writing is a success as I said in the blog post. When my first novel is published, I’ll see how that goes, but I’m hoping I’ll still have the same mindset. It’s a healthy one, and I think the best one to have as a writer. 🙂 Good luck with your novel!
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Hi, Dot. Thanks for the reply. Quite right to feel proud about seeing your work in print. One day I hope I’ll find out what that feels like. I think that the embarrassment is from claiming to be a (part-time) writer but currently being unable to provide anything to read! I am confident that I will get there at some point, though. Good luck with all your writing!
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Yes, you will! Thank you. 🙂 Good luck in your writing endeavors as well!
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We are too afraid of being criticised.Jeffrey Archer is the opposite but what he writes os no use to anyone intelligent.Of course he made money…
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Hi, Katherine, I do think you are right that many writers are afraid of being criticized because of the preconceived ideas of what a writer does and how successful some of them are. But I think we writers who have this gift should be proud to say we write, fulfilling our lifelong passion, what we’re meant to do, and share joyously our beautiful creative works with readers. Thanks for your comment, Katherine. 🙂
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My pleasure
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