We had lunch yesterday with some new friends. Somewhere at the beginning of our entrees, the wife asked me with a very warm smile, “So are you a writer?” This came out of nowhere, as we hadn’t been discussing hobbies or anything. She happened to have seen a recent article that I wrote for a newspaper.
I had never been asked this question before, never considered describing myself that way, so I stared back at her and gave her the only answer I had: “I don’t know.”
Am I a writer? I have no idea. I certainly write. But at what point does it become a title? I mean, I’m a breather, too. I breathe a lot more than I write, but I’m not sure it’s how I define myself. But I am pretty good at it, the breathing.
I have friends who are unquestionably writers. Ones who have written books and who work for newspapers and who have had numerous short stories and articles published. Is it a matter of being published that makes one a writer? Is it a matter of being paid? Do a blog, one magazine article, and two newspaper articles yielding me enough cumulative income to take you out to dinner at Applebees make me a writer? I don’t know.
It’s been suggested here and there that I should write for a living. The other day, while breathing and brushing my teeth, it occurred to me that I do. I do write for a living. I just don’t get paid for it. Does that make me a writer? I don’t know.
I have an incredibly supportive group of friends. And parents and a husband who cheer and nudge with great enthusiasm. Their words of appreciation and encouragement about my writing are treasures I store in my heart. I recently explained to a friend that writing is an unexpectedly personal venture. It feels like that dream of walking into a classroom for an exam for a class you never signed up for, naked. Writing can be a very vulnerable place to exist. So the idea of officially being a writer is a bit scary. Not that that's a very good reason not to consider the possibility.
Lots of breathing to do.
4 comments:
There is writing for yourself, writing for others, and writing as a job. I believe that since you blog reaches out to an unknown number of people, your articles have been well received, and your writing reflects your interests, feelings and comments on the world around you... you are definitely a writer.
How about this: *I* think of you as a writer. Does that help?
Thank you both. Your comments help mightily.
I think you are a writer when someone wants to read what you wrote. I think you are a Writer when you get paid because something thinks others would want to read what you wrote.
I think you are both.
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