How comfortable are you to call yourself a writer?

1. 60

   Cindy2011posted 13 years ago

   How comfortable are you to call yourself a writer?
   
   I've noticed when socializing that people expect me to have published a book if I'm calling myself a writer. It leaves me feeling awkward, then annoyed at myself not being more confident in myself.

   replyreport
2. 85

   agvulpesposted 13 years ago

   I agree with you! Even though I have been on Hubpages over 2 years and have published over 50 hubs I still cannot bring myself to tell people that I am a 'writer'!
   I believe and state that I am an 'observer' and a 'publisher' and to do these things I must 'write'.   However this is only part of the job.  Does this make me a 'writer'?

   replyreport
3. 77

   Sweetsusiegposted 13 years ago

   I have been a writer of sorts for years but it wasn't until Dec. 31 of 2010 that I felt I could finally call myself a writer.  I have written 2 books but neither of them were published, one was stolen from my home and the other was eaten by my computer.  Though I had written, I didn't quite feel like a writer.
   
   What was the change?  I finally received compensation for my work.  I think that was the turning point for me.  All of a sudden I felt validated, I earned money doing what I love.
   
   I think it's the need for validation that we all have to feel confident enough to declare ourselves.

   replyreport
4. 80

   Seeker7posted 13 years ago

   Don't worry about people like that they obviously don't know the proper definition of a writer. Next time, give a nice smile and point them in the direction of the nearest dictionary - even better point them in the direction of Hub Pages.

   replyreport
5. 60

   peterxdunnposted 13 years ago

   I usually say something like, '...oh yeah - and I do a bit of writing as well...'. Then I tell 'em what to google.

   replyreport
6. 60

   suncatposted 13 years ago

   You can explain then that a writer doesn't necessarily have to have a book published. There are many different types of writers, and publishing a book is one of the things a writer may do. Writing and publishing a book are not always the same thing. Some book authors never wrote a book but had someone else write it, so there is more than one way of doing things.

   replyreport
7. 60

   Pollyannalanaposted 13 years ago

   I wrote a story at a young age to prove I could so I didn't really doubt I could but I didn't have the desire. About two years ago I decided to write an inspired romance but said well maybe I will practice first on a children's book. Those little characters just took me over and my husband too, we could not wait until the next day to see what my fingers had to say and I have written almost non-stop since then. I think when you love what you write, you can write. I only wish everyone else knew it as well as me, maybe soon.

   replyreport
8. 84

   wychicposted 13 years ago

   I have been a full-time writer for about four years now, and have only been completely comfortable with referring to myself as a writer for about two years -- maybe less. When people ask if I've published a book, I politely explain that I might one day, but that's not really my focus right now. I then go on to explain that I write informational articles, web content, newsletters, and eBooks mostly, with a focus on marketing and micro-business.
   
   ....usually by the time I get to that point, they're sorry they even asked for more details unless they're interested in being writers by profession themselves .

   replyreport
9. 64

   ThunderKeysposted 13 years ago

   I feel comfortable calling myself a clinical writer. As professional counselor with loads of face to face therapy and clinical consulting experience, I have much to learn about how to tone down the jargon to get valuable relationship-saving and behavioral parenting advice across to my Hub-readers.
   
   I think the phrase "I'm a writer" signifies some professional grade communication skills, for ideas and observations. To say so means more to me than just the act of writing, which most people can do.
   
   - Duddy.

   replyreport
10. 60

    Christopher Floydposted 13 years ago

    I'm pretty comfortable. I haven't published a book. I've had some short stories and some poetry published. Most importantly, I write. Occupationally, that is my main focus.
    Don't let them get to you. Pick up a major lit or poetry magazine and check out the nonsense they publish. That always makes me feel better.

    replyreport
11. 60

    Dave Mathewsposted 13 years ago

    First and formost I am a Child of God and a Christian.
    Second I am a musician, a singer.
    Third I am an amateur chef
    Fourth I am a Hub Writer

    replyreport
12. 60

    Cindy2011posted 13 years ago

    Good tip.  Thanks for your feedback,  I've had one newspaper article published and won a few writing contests, otherwise, lot's of personal journals and work material. I love to write.  So I'll keep plugging along.

    replyreport
13. 60

    g82hugposted 13 years ago

    I completely understand what you mean!  I too struggle with calling myself a writer. I have self-published a novel, I write to a small email audience daily, but I only recently started writing online and blogging (Dec. 2010), but I still cannot call myself a writer. I completely have low writing self-esteem....but I'm working on it.

    replyreport
14. 71

    bloggeringposted 13 years ago

    I enjoy writing and I write everyday - so I am a writer in my mind, but I don't necessarily tell other people that :-) Just like you say...writers are 'supposed' to be published in the traditional sense.

    replyreport
15. 79

    FaithDreamposted 13 years ago

    I consider myself a freelance writer. I write on hubpages, I create articles with additional hub capsules to illustrate my points. (images, videos, rss, etc). I also write a blog, maintain a website, and write on other areas for the web.
    
    This is who I am, so I guess I am a writer. I'm pretty comfortable with that.
    
    Good question.

    replyreport
16. 71

    clark farleyposted 13 years ago

    I don't.
    Not that I feel bad about it, but even though I have found myself really enjoying this hub-writing thing, back when I was taking English composition, I was more concerned with learning the lead guitar riff from 'Sunshine of Your Love' than I was in syntax and proper grammar,
    Damn, guess the jokes on me...
    
    (but if you are ever in my neighborhood, stop by and I will play lead guitar licks from a lot of 1960's songs!) lol

    replyreport