There are a lot of articles and quotes online about what it is to be a writer. There are those who say you can’t be an aspiring writer – you are either one or you are not. There are those who say you have to tell the world you are a writer, otherwise it is merely a hobby and not a serious pursuit. And there are those who claim they know all the ins and outs of what it is to write.
I am none of these, though I do see the logic in the aspiring writer thing. Maybe people should call themselves aspiring authors instead. After all, anyone can write, but to finish a book, to have it in print or online in Amazon – that’s something else. But this is by the by. I have looked at all these views, and sifted through them, and come to my own conclusion: you are a writer if you believe you are.
I’m going to take myself as an example, because who else do I know as well? 
I don’t tell many people that I write. Most of my friends have no idea, and I certainly haven’t broadcast it among those I know in real life. (Hence the low numbers on my Facebook page.) There is a reason for this, but I won’t go into that right now. Suffice to say that by the time my novel has gone through a couple of betas I want to have a look at it, I’ll start spreading the word. I have stories published online under another name that only my husband knows about, despite the fact that within their online communities they are quite popular. But, for me, that has been a very personal part of my life, a private outlet for telling stories that I had in me.
However, I do see myself as a writer. I am taking this current novel very seriously and I do intend to publish it when the time comes, whether traditionally or independently. (I prefer the idea of traditional publishing, but am very aware that it’s very hard to break into. But again, that’s another issue for another day.) The fact that very few of my inner circle know about it is irrelevant to my dedication to the project. I am just as serious about trying to get a bit of an online profile before the novel is finished, and am trying to get involved in some new communities to boost my name awareness. In short, even if I’m being furtive in real life, I want to give myself the best possible chance of getting people in the wider world to read my book.
Does my reluctance to talk about it to my real life friends make me any less of a writer? I think not. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed about it and I don’t doubt they will support me, I just want to have the finished (albeit perhaps unedited) manuscript in my hand before I share this part of my life. According to some pundits, this means I’m not taking it seriously. To me, though, I’m taking the same steps. I’m just taking them in a different order from other people.
Image by Hector Gomez
I’m reading your post and I totally see myself! I write and post things under another name, but I can’t talk about it with my friends no matter how close! It’s so personal for me so I think I know exactly how you feel! Loved the post!
Thank you! I knew there had to be more people like me out there. Like I said, I WILL share it, but now is not the right time. Very pleased that you can relate to this, because I’m sure it’s more common than people think.
Good luck with your writing!
Thanks! Good luck with yours too!!
Great blog post. I’ve had the same idea recently, of starting to use the name I wanna write my books with publicly. I haven’t settled on a last name though…
But yes, I’m exactly the same. A few people know I write, but its mostly an off hand thing or hobby to them.
Hi Lily! Yes, it can take some time coming up with the right pseudonym. This is, as you probably guessed, not my real name, but if I get published it’s the name I’ll be publishing under, so that’s what I’m using to build up the profile. I had a number of possible names that had some meaning to me to choose from, and I admit that family politics had some bearing on what I did choose, but I’m comfortable with it now. The non-de-plume means that if my friends did stumble across this blog, they wouldn’t know it was me writing it … but once I tell them, they’ll find the name choice fairly obvious in retrospect.
As for writing, I do think (like you) that there has to be some ownership to the notion of being a writer – something that makes it more than a hobby. Some may disagree though.
Yeah, I guessed that it was. I didn’t think you would post the link if it were.
And maybe your books will make it over here to america eventually!
I have read an extreamly small bit of your writing though, and I know you do have the talent to do it!
Thank you! And you can be sure that anything I might publish will be available in America – I have too many American friends from that other site to not make that happen, even if it’s just in ebook form. But first I have to finish the manuscript so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Really appreciate your support though, so thank you again. *hugs*
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My version is even simpler: ‘You’re a writer if you write’. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t self-identify as such.
I don’t think it’s necessary to come out about it: a murderer is a murderer if they murder—even if they don’t brag about it. Perhaps that’s not the happiest possible analogy, but you get the idea.
For me, being a writer sometimes feels a bit AA: ‘Hello, my name’s Peter, and I’m a… [looks down and swallows] writer.’
While I can see merit in your definition, I do think that you have to identify as a writer. I remember penning short stories and poems years ago in my spare time, but never in a million years would I have called myself a writer. Maybe it’s the very act of being serious about it that confirms that identity, I’m not sure, but I think that recognition has to be there. Feel free to disagree, though – I’m always up for a spirited debate!
I know what you mean re the AA, though. There is something – not pitiful, but not that far off it either – about being a writer. It might be because there is so rarely much by way of reward … I read recently that there are only three people in Australia who make their full living from fiction writing, without having to have another job. That’s three out of 21 million. Sobering stats – but then again, who says I can’t be the fourth? *is thinking positively, though perhaps misguidedly*
To answer your question, *I* say you can’t be the fourth. I’ve reserved that position. You can be the fifth.
Fine. I’m happy with fifth. Hey, I’m even happy with sixth. Just so long as I get up there somewhere.
I don’t personally see myself quite the same way you do, but I really like your view. I find a lot of joy in the diversity of writers there are in the world and how we think of our craft.
Thank you! I certainly didn’t expect everyone to agree with me, because if we all thought the same things the world would be a very boring place. I appreciate though that you read my post and wanted to comment on it even though it wasn’t the same as your views. The writing community is so supportive of its own, isn’t it?
Thanks again, and good luck with your writing as well.
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I like your way of thinking !
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr/
Thanks! It’s nice to know that my ramblings make sense to someone.