From time to time, I see a post published on either why bloggers are writers or why they are definitely not writers. Why a person cares how someone self-identifies is anyone’s guess, but that they do and of course, now I want to know more about what people think. Because apparently it is a divisive issue and I have been known to court controversy. “Shit disturber” is an epithet that has been thrown at used against said to me, from time to time. 🙂
I’m happy to call myself a blogger – one who writes on her blog. If you think that blogging makes me a writer or most certainly not one, well…that is your prerogative, and your opinion and you are welcome to it. For most of my life – from a young child just learning to wield marks on a page with a chubby pencil to today – I have had to write, have admired published authors, and have wondered if I had what it took to be a writer myself. As a child I loved writing (and illustrating) fictional stories, but as I grew older I found that changed. I didn’t have that essential drive to create a fictional world and characters (damn!). However, I still needed to write. But could I ever be a writer if I didn’t write fiction?
As a young adult, I discovered this thing called creative non-fiction, and took after-work community college courses on the same. I continued to consume books on writers and writing. I even once ventured out to a so-called Writers’ Support Group in my hometown, thinking I could find my tribe and not feel so alone anymore. It was an….um…experience. I was not made welcome, despite their ad in the local paper that said otherwise. I had to listen to the other writers make in-jokes (not explained to me), and gossip about absent members of the group. Eventually the group pulled together to do an exercise – a timed writing from a prompt – and then we each had to read what we wrote. ALOUD. To this group.
It was absolutely terrifying for me.
When it was finally my turn, I read my piece…and got no feedback whatsoever. Yup, the sound of crickets greeted my offering, and the group moved onto the next participant.What did this mean? Was I that bad that nothing could be said to redeem what I wrote? Other people’s readings were commented on. WTF?!?
I left that meeting totally disheartened, and never went back. And thinking if this is what writers are all about (clique-y, petty, vengeful, passive-aggressive, jealous), I no longer want to be known as one. Like Groucho Marx, I had no interest in joining a club that wanted me as a member. Except, apparently they didn’t. Want me as a member. Ouch. I guess I could never call myself a writer.
Then the internet happened.
I discovered so many interesting voices on these things called blogs, which I just loved reading. In the early days, people (dare I call them writers???) wrote about everything, especially their take on their day-to-day lives, often in hilarious and insightful ways. Their voices were fresh and engaging and no one I was reading was trying to make a buck at it or conquer a niche or establish a brand, or land a book deal. They all seemed happy just to have a place to put their words, and I was happy to devour their writing. (Yes. Writing.)
A little over 11 years ago now, I started my own blog. One that has changed names and platforms over the years, and has grown with me. One that I still love today as my vehicle to get my words out there. One that has allowed me to finally (!) find my tribe. Am I now a writer? Have I always been a writer? Will I never be a writer? I don’t know if I even care anymore. All I know is that I write on my blog. I love it and I need to do it.
What makes a person a writer? Are you a writer when:
- you support yourself with your words;
- you write a book;
- you write a short story;
- you write an article;
- you write ad copy;
- you write plays;
- you write scripts;
- you ghost-write for others;
- you write on a blog;
- you write fiction;
- you write non-fiction;
- you write in a journal;
- you are published by others; (do letters to the editor count? asking for a friend… 😉 )
- you self-publish;
- you possess a post-secondary education in writing;
- you attend writing workshops and retreats;
- others call you a writer;
- you call yourself a writer;
- you have an internet presence as a writer (published or not);
- you have an editor;
- you receive grants with which to support yourself as you write;
- you have received awards and recognition for your written words;
- you feel tortured and misunderstood? 😉
Any, all, or none of the above? What have I missed?
At what point can you call yourself a writer sans dispute?
Personally, I think that anyone who has the desire to write, and whose words can touch another person in a meaningful way as part of our shared human experience is a writer. And by that definition, the majority of bloggers I have read over the years have been and continue to be writers. I continue to aspire to be a writer. And even if the court of popular opinion decides that will never happen, I will always be proud of being a blogger.
Well, Tribe? What do you think? What makes a writer?
Rock (and write) on,
The WB
Trouble with writing Deb, is you lay yourself bare. I guess it’s like all the arts. You are open for criticism. But a benefit of writing is that you can realize a lot of people share the same thoughts and you aren’t alone.
Leslie xoxo
Yes! Thanks, Leslie💕 As I was writing (very much tongue-in-cheek): “you feel tortured and misunderstood”, I thought: that’s just like anyone who identifies as any kind of artist, isn’t it? Let’s hear it for that fine benefit of laying yourself bare🥳🥳
in the all together Deb….
Good morning Deb! And yes, isn’t it silly how this is even a question??? A writer is a person who writes! Sure there will always be cliques that want to exclude others to prop themselves up but they can’t stop us from writing. I too tried to “join” a couple of writing groups but had a similar reaction. They either didn’t like/care/acknowledge that I blogged or the fact that I was mostly a non-fiction writer. It was ALL about writing novels for them so I too left after just a meeting or two. But to answer your question, what made me “become” a writer?” I became one when I finally just realized after publishing several books, dozens of articles, starting a writing type commercial business and doing a blog for a few years that all I had to do was realize and accept that I WAS A WRITER. That realization and acceptance was a very pivotal point for me. After that, it didn’t really matter to me what others thought… ~Kathy
Oh, you are definitely a writer in my books, Kathy! Sometimes I think others feel there is very finite “pie” for writers and if you dare to take a slice, there is less for everybody else. Weird. Thanks for the comment💕
Hi, Deb – Since you already know my ideas on this topic (i.e. if someone needs to write then they are a writer), I thought that I would check with my good friends Oxford, Google and Wikipedia.
One of the definitions that Oxford gave for writer was: “a person who writes books, stories, or articles as a job or regular occupation.” Yay, Oxford can be outdated and stuffy at times.
Wiki stated simply. “A writer is a person who uses written words in different styles and techniques to communicate ideas.” True.
The icing on the cake was when Google reminded me that “All bloggers are writers, but not all writers are bloggers. And not all writers are good bloggers”. Can’t argue with that!
Great topic and discussion. I’ll be back to read more of the comments as they come in.
Thank you, Donna💕 Providing the definitions is genius. Even the “experts” can’t agree😁
Great topic, Deb. I can’t believe anyone disagrees on what a writer is. A writer writes whether anyone reads what is written or not, whether it is published or not. We have a lot of qualifying words to tact on to define what kind of writer we each are: Struggling writer, published writer, aspiring writer, critically acclaimed writer, blog writer, script writer, fiction writer…the list goes on and on.
I’ve tried my hand at fiction but with blogging I’ve found my niche. Having been a diary keeper since I was ten in the 1950s I’ve been writing long enough to own the label. Still, I do struggle using the label in my off line life. At the doctor’s office, trying to track down the cause of arm pain, for example, when he asked what I was typing 3-4 hours a day and I said, “I’ve been a blogger for the past 20 years.” I thought about saying “I’m a writer” but I knew that would lead to him asking what I wrote and I’d feel like I was being pretentious to then have to say I’m a blogger..
The bottom line for me is that I get a lot of of blogging and I still think of it as an extension to diary keeping. Like you said, I’ve found my tribe. I’ve been in a couple of writers groups that were better experience that yours turned out to be and I credit the retired teachers who led the groups for being inclusive of all levels of talent and experience. But it’s a crap shoot when you open yourself up for critiques be it in art or writing. Too many want to raise themselves up at the expense of others.
Absolutely, Jean. Like I said in my comment to Kathy, it’s like there is only so much pie to go around and if you ask for a share, others think you are depriving them of what is theirs so they are quick to exclude you in defense of their territory. Sorry for the metaphor mixing 😉.
I’m glad you had a better experience than me with writing groups.
Another category is journalism and technical writing… My first career was journalism and I “wrote” 50 stories a week for a local weekly paper. I spent all day typing, but I wouldn’t have called myself a “writer.”
I won’t quibble with defining anyone who writes words calling themselves a writer. But when I use the word, I imply a level of professionalism and/or commitment. Writers are pros who get paid for creating their own stories (fiction or non-fiction) or who forgo other careers to focus on their own stories. To me a professional is someone who does something when they really don’t feel like doing it. Writers write every day like it’s a job. Bloggers, journal keepers, and other part-timers are people who like to write, but I wouldn’t define them as “writers.”
This is fair, I think. In our society often the first thing people ask is what you do (for a living) and that is how we identify. I would now say “I’m retired”. Which means what, exactly? And is fodder for another shit-disturbing blog post I think and fear 😉🤣. Thanks, Kieran💕
My father always said my comments were full of fodder and all of my shit is generally disturbing. Happy retirement writing.
Thank you, Kieran 💕
I really enjoyed this post. You’re a great writer. 🙂 My background is similar. I’ve always wanted to “publish”. What did that mean? Having read children’s’ books for so many years my heart still leans that way. I recently wrote a post about me asking Siri, “hey Siri, am I a writer?” I have found more support by just blogging. In my mind, I’m a writer. You’re a writer. Everyone’s reality is what they make it right? I didn’t FEEL LIKE A WRITER before I started blogging. It’s because of this great community, and the support, that I actually felt like one. Most people equate the word, “writer”, as someone who makes money with the skill. Someone asked me, “Do you expect to make money blogging?” I literally laughed out loud. To me blogging is MAKING me be a writer. Why? Because I CRAVE it. I get anxious when I CAN’T write. I DREAM of writing. I’ve kept journals for years. And I kept them to myself; they are hidden. But I’ve bared my soul and opened up myself for criticism (I’ve always been open to it lol) by doing this thing called “blogging”. Writing, to me like any craft, has to be practiced. I’d like to call myself a cook after years in the kitchen. But I sure don”t practice; I’m “no cook”. 🙂 “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” -Benjamin Franklin
Thank you! You ARE a writer💕
Awww thank you SO much!! 💕
Love this post, Deb. Mainly because I have a rule on my own blog that I never write about blogging (long story). But if someone else decides to do so? I’m all there. 🙂 I’ve read about this so-called tension on other blogs, and even witnessed some fierce flame wars about it in reader comments. And you yourself actually experienced a snobby pushback from writers! It’s all so ridiculous to me.
My feeling is that bloggers are writers, full stop. Now, having said that, I don’t fancy myself to be in the same league as those who make their living writing. I completely understand my limits. While I’ve had fantasies about being published, writing the great American novel, etc., I know I’ll never give David Sedaris any threat. So I see myself as a bit of a hobbyist at heart when it comes to writing, and blogging is a perfect fit for me. Other bloggers, such as the truly remarkable Sarah at Extra Dry Martini (https://extradrymartini.com) — who is also a playwright — to me, she is a WRITER. Thanks for a great post. – Marty
Thank you, Marty💕 Yes! When I was answering Kieran’s comment, I thought: oh, I should refer to myself as a hobbyist. That wouldn’t get anyone’s ire up😉
I’m a writer because I write. And I write things for others to be read. I’m also an artist. Whether I’ve actually made any money from my art or not. I hate the idea that to be called a vocation ( for lack of a better term), you must make money from it…..ie have it be your profession. Judging worth in cash sucks in my personal opinion I have a son in law who is a chef because he’s trained that way, although that is not his paid vocation. Now whether I’m a writer who writes well, who knows.
Thanks, Barb💕I enjoy your blog and I resonate with your writing voice so that makes you a writer in my books. For whatever that is worth…
Van Gogh never made a living from his paintings (I’ve read) so does that mean he was never an artist in life, but became one only after the fact? Oh boy, more things to ponder….😁
Personally I try not to feed anyone’s self-doubts or impostor syndrome about their own writing. In other words I try to stay away from, as you put it, shit disturbing.
I’ve participated in a number of different creative writing classes and groups over the years and noticed that a lot of really talented people hesitate to keep going because of self-doubt. Probably in part because of experiences like the one you described.
My outlook is that if you use words to express thoughts, feelings, ideas, or concepts on a regular basis, then you are a writer. If you get paid to do it, then you are a professional writer.
Note that neither of these defines whether or not someone is any good at it 😀
Thanks, Norm💕 I absolutely agree that just because you are paid for it, it doesn’t mean you are good at it. I have come across some very popular authors that just don’t do it for me – I think their writing is lazy and tired. But as my Dutch mother would say: “for every pot there is a lid”, so obviously these same authors do do it for a lot of people.
I like Norm’s take on this and his outlook on what constitutes a Writer… and especially that last Sentence, it had me ROTFLMAO! How True!
I second that emotion 😁
I’m one who is just Happy for a place to put my Words, my Thoughts written and I care not what Society at large chooses to call that. Then again, I’ve never been a Conformist, don’t wish to ever be one, probably won’t fit in any defined Niche and don’t Care who reads it, all are invited to… or not. That said, the Connections you can establish with your Tribe who dig whatever it is you’re Sharing in the Written Word IS important when it happens. When I buy and enjoy any Book, I feel I have established a Connection of some kind with that Published Writer. The same with any Blog I follow, support and enjoy just as much as any good Book I’ve ever read, perhaps more. It’s Weird how many diverse Blogs I’ve enjoyed tho’… with Books I’m really not into Reading so much as the Visuals… in Blogs it’s the best of both Worlds often. Great Photography can sometimes lure me in or Great Personality or Topics Written about. I’m always sad when a good Blog ceases to Publish. I think there is a place for all of it, regardless of what any of us ends up being called, Bloggers, Writers, Shit Disturbers. You could be any one of them or all of them here in The Land of Blog and this is why I just Love this Wonderful Community! In many ways it’s better than Real Life because so many Bloggers don’t have to be anything but what they want to be here, it’s often a Safer Space than Real Life! Blogs are interesting in that some prompt a lot of comments and become madly popular, others are better in their presentation but it doesn’t necessarily translate into who comes and how they receive it. That’s kinda Cool too because you don’t even have to be good at Photography or Writing to be a successful Blog that people thoroughly enjoy, find and often come back to. That was a relief to me for sure! *LOL* But even if nobody came for a visit, I know I’d still have a Need to do this now, it’s my Happy Space.
Well said, Bohemian. Thank you💕 It IS great and varied out here in the Land of Blog. Be who you want to be in this space and you will eventually meet your tribe. Truth!😁
Deb, yes, I am a writer, a photographer, and a tennis player. Those are all hobbies that I derive a since of pleasure and accomplishment from, but I would never introduce myself using any of those titles. I think titles are generally earned, unless you are part of the Royal Family so it is probably best to just think of ourselves as writers without printing it on a business card.
That’s a good strategy, Suzanne. I think of myself as a writer and artist but would never call myself that in public or print it out on a card, lest people think I was putting on airs. If you were to ask me what I do though, I would say I blog and I paint. Thank you💕
People be weird! *bangs head on table* I’m a writer and have been for a long time. I blog and when I worked I did technical writing (that wasn’t near as much fun — is that a criteria for real writing? It can’t be fun?) I read bloggers who are so good at writing that I don’t really know if they are published or not. I had a good friend tell people she was published. She put a recipe in her church’s cookbook. I thought that was a hoot! If it’s any consolation, I spent 10 years in design and those folks are just as weird. You aren’t a real designer unless…fill in the blank. He who writes for all to see is a writer.
Thank you, Kate💕 Come to think of it, when I worked I wrote many manuals, policies, methods, and work instructions. That’s technical writing! And I was paid well for that, along with my other duties. Lightbulb moment!!!!💡
Yep you are definitely a writer!
Scientists are just as bad, if not worse. You’re not a (fill in the blank e.g. chemist, microbiologist etc.) unless you have been published in the Journal of (fill in the blank), or accepted into the American Society of (fill in the blank), and/or possess (fill in the blank) degree from (fill in the blank) university. Talk to 10 different “scientists” and get 15 different answers. People be weird, indeed!
🙂
From the Free Dictionary, I’m relating very much to definition #2.
1. a person engaged in writing books, articles, stories, etc., esp. as an occupation or profession.
2. a person who commits thoughts to writing: an expert letter writer.
3. someone who sells stock options.
I did a lot of writing in school and work, so always considered myself a writer even though I never wrote a book. I DO think bloggers are writers, especially those who tell good stories (such as yourself). I’m sorry you had a bad experience with that writing group. I took several virtual workshops over the last few months through http://www.thruberhouse.org and found all of the facilitators and participants very welcoming. They were also all types of writers, which was great!
Thank you, Tracey💕 Maybe I should give writing groups another try. I do want to improve. I will check out the link you so thoughtfully provided.
Oh, the link doesn’t want to work😢
https://www.thurberhouse.org/adult-workshops
My fault! Try this.
It worked!!! 🙏🥰
Thanks for the info!
Their Fall Adult Writing workshop series is just getting started!
I think of myself as a writer. A writer writes — to me, it’s not much more complicated than that. I also think other people don’t get to decide who I am or what I call myself. Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
You’re welcome, Donna! Thanks for reading and commenting💕
I understand your frustration with people who don’t get blogging, try to dismiss it. I’ve been at this, WRITING a personal blog since 2004. A blog is merely the way in which you publish your words… that you WRITE.
Very eloquently and succinctly said, Ally. Thank you💕
It’s very simple actually- I read what you write, therefore you are a writer. Sounds like you encountered an ISWG- Insecure Writers Group- thanks to Roaming About for teaching me that phrase. If people don’t want you in the club it is not a club worth joining- simple as that. Rock on!
Thank you, Luisa💕 Yes, I believe both to be true – that they didn’t want me there and that they were insecure.
First of all, how in the HELL have you been writing for 11 years and this is the first time I have found you? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL OF MY BLOGGING LIFE?? I feel so connected to you in the best possible way. I love this post so much and I hate like hell that you felt like that about that stupid writing group all those years ago. Although, I guess that formed who you are are today, blah blah blah. Not downplaying it, just know that is what they tell us so we don’t feel like crap at the end of the day.
I am in love with your writing, blogging, whatever in the hell you want to call it.
I have been writing for 10 years on a blog. Call it what you want. I call it writing now. I used to call it blogging. I can still call it blogging, if that makes Kieran up there feel better. (giving him the teasing side eye)
The way I look at it, we’ve been doing this longer than most college students have, so we can call it whatever the hell we want to.
I can’t wait to go down the rabbit hole of your other posts.
Oh and if I was in that group all those years ago, I would have given some input or something because it’s called being a nice person. Bloggers AND writers should do that for each other. 🙂
Well, howdy Writer McWriterson! I wonder if you are related to my upstairs neighbours – the Stompy McStompersons? 😉😁Thank you so much for this warm comment! 💕I feel like I know you already because your voice/style seems akin to mine. Now excuse me as I must be off to check out your blog…
You write. You are a writer. Not sure what’s so hard about it. But I’m so sad to hear about your writing group experience, Deb. I’ve had similar experiences but good groups are out there and when you find them you really do find your tribe.
Thank you, AJ💕 You and others are giving me hope!
Your blog is one of the few I follow, so by my standards you’re a writer, and a good one. Your evident talent probably stunned the members to silence, in that writer’s club you attended. Either that or their lack of commentary spoke loudly of their secret envy.
Well, those certainly are a couple of possibilities but I think they just didn’t want me in the group so decided to ensure I had a bad experience and wouldn’t come back. I guess they didn’t like my face. Just as well. Because of the behaviours I witnessed before the meeting started I wasn’t sure I was going to be a good fit with them either. Thanks so much, TG💕
Anyone who uses the word “epithet” has got to be a writer! 🙂 You summed what makes a writer up well in your blog. So sorry you had to go through that awful writing group experience. Such mean people! I’d hate to call them writers. I’ve found a couple of genuine, supportive, and helpful writing groups online. Luckily, as I don’t live anywhere so wouldn’t be able to attend an in-person one.
Now that we’ve figured out Bloggers are writers, let’s change the discussion to “what’s an author”? 🙂
Thank you, Liesbet💕 You do like to poke the bear, don’t you? Go ahead, lead this one!😁
Well, since I’m not a fan of research and like to wing it, I’d say an author is someone who has written and published a book (any which way), while a writer is someone who writes (and often publishes) other writing like articles, blogs, opinion pieces, maybe even letters to the editor. 🙂
Personally, I think of an author as someone who has created a large piece of writing that has been published, like a book. However, I’ve heard the term used before for articles as well.
You’re a writer when you write. Many of my writer friends don’t actually write anything for themselves (they only write what’s needed for work), and frankly I don’t consider that being a writer. Thanks for sharing this. It’s a start to a great discussion for sure.
Thanks for reading and joining the discussion, Stuart! 🙂
I enjoyed both the post and all these comments. You do like to stir the pot!
I’ve thought about what you wrote as I was thinking about my 1000 posts. I am a writer of a blog while some writers do technical manuals and some writers do books or magazine articles or… You get the drift. Some of us aren’t paid but that doesn’t mean we don’t write the words. Have you ever ran into a blog where they are trying to make money?? Ugh — there are more ads than words and I leave those sites pretty quickly. I recently started following a published author’s blog but turns out it’s really just a buy the book here’s an excerpt. So probably unfollowing that one soon as well.
Sticking around your site! You’re a writer worth following.
Yes, Bernie I have run into those blogs and all the ads are annoying. I made a decision early on to not have ads on my blog, even though it would help with expenses associated with ye olde blogge (which is self-hosted, and definitely not cheap or free!). I think of my blog as an entertainment activity for myself…and hopefully others😁. Some people spend money on sporting activities or clubs; I spend it on my blog. Thanks💕
The thing about being late to a blog post is that I get to read all the great comments. Not coincidentally, when you get a bunch of bloggers together, they are going to have opinions, especially when it comes to defending their craft … and yes, it is a craft (let’s just stir that pot a little more!)
The bottom line as I see it (the accountant in me just loves the bottom line 😉 ) is that people like to categorize things and then try to make it exclusive. We trip over this categorization all the time – ie describing oneself as a runner, cyclist, artist, etc.
We write. Other people read what we write. That’s all that matters to me.
Well said, Joanne. Thanks💕
Yep! And, who likes to be put in a box? Certainly not me! We do what we love and that should be enough. (And that almost rhymes as well.) 🙂
First, Deb, nice redesign on ye olde blog. Clean, easy to read, welcoming. What a fine thing for a writer to offer to her readers, for without question you ARE a writer – someone who organizes their thoughts cohesively and offers them up to the world is a writer.
I don’t think the definition of a writer is in whether or not one is paid for words but rather in how one handles words and uses them to express themselves. Attention to subtleties in word meaning, sentence and paragraph construction (or sometimes deconstruction), pushing yourself to write well, getting your work out there. All these things you do. I see it in the variety of your posts.
These days it is damn difficult to make a living writing, even as a journalist – a dying profession. There are a ton of ezines out there who clamor for writers but don’t pay. So a story I’ve slogged on for a year or two revising and polishing might get accepted but nada dough, all to build the zine’s brand for which I should be grateful for the exposure. Excuse me? Fuck no. I recently had a story accepted (CNF) that I started writing 18 months ago. I have no idea how many revisions it went through. 10? 20? They pay $100. I bet that works out to less than a penny an hour in wages. So tell me how a writer like me is not a professional because so many mags don’t pay? Payment is NOT an indicator. FYI, the Globe and Mail does NOT pay for their First Person essays. Doesn’t that put the “free” in freelance?
Bravery, honesty, perseverance are definitely necessary qualities of a writer. Bravery for sharing your work, honesty for plumbing your soul and experience for material and examining it, perseverance in the face of rejection, criticism, stupidity. All these are qualities you have.
As to writing groups, I think they are helpful to push you to dig deeper than you can sometimes see in your own work, but the group you found sounds awful. It took me 5 years to find a small group of trusted readers. Online courses like those offered by Creative Non-Fiction are great, too, and most offer critiquing guidelines. I found one like-minded person there who I share work with and have done for the last 6 years.
Finally, there is an infinite amount of writing snobbery out there. I can’t tell you the number of times people have sniffed imperiously at me when I tell them I’m a blogger, too. There’s the snobbery of those who think fiction is the only legit form (or poetry, or CNF, or journalism, and then sub categories of each) and who tell me repeatedly to stop wasting my time blogging and go forth and write a novel. Fuck the hell off. There are many reasons for writing and not all of them are about publishing.
Okay. Rant all done. Thanks for opening the floodgates. Keep going, Deb. You are heard.
Hugs,
Susanne
Thank you, Susanne, for the kind words and the most wonderful rant. Coming from a WRITER I admire greatly, that means a lot. 💕
Hey, Deb, I read your post yesterday but decided to wait until today to comment so I could see what others said first. While I was working and did a lot of work-related writing, I’m not sure that I would have called myself “a writer.” I may have said that I write well, or clearly, or whatever, but I wouldn’t have called myself a writer (maybe because my job title was something else). Now that I am retired and have this blog, I would definitely call myself a writer (also, a photographer, a gardener, a traveler, etc.). Someone may not agree but I don’t really care. I’d love to get published one day (I’m working on more short stories), but that will only make me a “published writer.” If that doesn’t happen, I’ll still be a writer.
I’m sorry that you had a disappointing experience in your writers’ group. I joined one in early summer and really love it. Many of the participants have been in the group for a while but they are very supportive and welcoming. I hope you keep looking for a good group… they are out there.
Thank you, Janis💕 I’ll keep my eye out for a good writing group. I hope you get published someday too!
Hi Deb – what a great post with some excellent comments and thoughts. I’ve never wanted to be a writer – now I’m very happy blogging and don’t want to stop … as long as I have friends wanting to visit and read, and comment if pos too!
People who don’t blog or aren’t interested in the form – do not know what they’re missing … or what learning they’re missing out on.
I hate groups like you describe – they really knock one down – for no reason … still they’re better left to their own narrow devices.
I really enjoyed reading your post and then see others’ ideas … Donna seemed to have it pat: ‘“All bloggers are writers, but not all writers are bloggers. And not all writers are good bloggers”. Can’t argue with that!’ thank you – take care and enjoy the weekend – Hilary
Thank you, Hilary💕 You have a good weekend as well!
Very interesting post! First, I’m sorry you had to experience that in the so-called writer’s group. I love the written word, write a few blogs and I followed a few writing accounts on Twitter and yes, it was all about writing novels.
To me, a writer is anyone who writes with some thought behind it (which separates it from someone who just writes some blurbs on Facebook). I think of photographers the same way – everyone who takes photographs with thought behind it is a photographer. Then professional/hobbyist is irrelevant.
Of course a blogger is a writer. Especially someone like yourself, with well thought through articles. I’ve never really considered myself being a writer, but lately when I’ve started to write more, and longer articles, I don’t hesitate to call myself a writer. Not necessarily a good one, but you’ll never become a good writer if you don’t write!
(By the way, the Writer’s Tears whiskey is lovely!!!)
Truth! I think a good writer also needs to be a reader, as well. Thanks for the whiskey recommendation and the comment, Susanne💕
I am friends with a lot of capital A authors, and it is weird hanging out with them because they introduce me as a writer, and I always feel it’s a little untrue. But I do write…a lot. Anyway, after reading one of my blog posts, a friend of mine called me her favorite writer, and it really did warm my heart.
I also miss the old days of blogging. I always hearken back to LiveJournal when I recall those days. It was a special time.
It was a special time. Thank you, Akilah 💕
This is an interesting topic, Deb. I have also heard this is a divisive issue. Any form of writing, poetry, haiku, scripts, books, short stories, suspense, adventure, romance and many others is writing. And yes, having to write from day one with a chubby pencil. And, yes, need to do it. I have always been a creative non-fiction type of gal, too. 🙂 I know we are on the same team, Deb. Our tribe. Who cares what anyone calls it? Who cares what anyone thinks? Yes, I am a writer.❤️
Yes you are, Erica! Thanks 💕
Deb, a fascinating blog article with lots of great responses. There is a lot of mystique and pretension around the definition of “a writer,” compounded by idyllic self-representations of “a writer’s life” (lives on a rocky island in a cob house with a coffee pot and a cat named Pushkin, etc.). For years, I felt intimidated by the snobbery and the implied hierarchy of what counts as writing, and although I have always written, I would never have called myself “a writer.” Then a friend said to me (grumpily) that “a writer writes,” and since then, like Kathy, Jean R., AJ, and other commenters above, I have claimed the word “writer” to describe myself. And why not? I have written stories, poems, a personal journal, newspaper articles, policy documents, manuals, curriculum programs, memoir, academic articles and chapters, nonfiction, a blog, and emails (don’t laugh, 1000’s and 1000’s of emails for hours every day). Presently I am working on a novel, but it is not the novel that makes me a writer. I am a writer because I write.
On writers’ groups — I’ve belonged to several of them over the years, and some of them have been wonderfully supportive, and some less so. I’m sorry you had such a horrible experience with the group you attended. My present writers’ group is amazing and I love it. The types of writing people in the group do is diverse, and two of us in the group blog.
Thanks for writing about this juicy topic.
Jude
Thank you, Jude, for chiming in 💕 Yep, writers write. Period. Full stop.
I belong to one or two virtual writing groups. One of them recently asked their members the question “What does being a Working Writer look like to you?” My belief was that so long as you write with a purpose, you’re a writer. Whether that purpose is to express your thoughts into a private journal, to publish them in a blog, or to be published didn’t matter. Most members seemed to be in agreement, although many said that they’d be happier if they were earning their living writing (myself included), but – and here’s the important bit – the lack of payment didn’t stop them from writing, and therefore being a writer.
True! I think we’ve all dreamed of “writer” being our day-job. Once I started my blog, that scratched that itch for me and I have been content for many years now, with this as my outlet. Thanks, Deb 💕
As a fairly new blogger and someone who has been writing since they were thirteen years old into a journal, I really enjoyed your post and writing. After struggling with my blog, I smiled when I read your post…it made me feel included for once. Thanks…and keep writing.
Thank you, TS! Your comment made ME smile 😀