Do you refer to yourself as a writer?

1. 71

   Barraocposted 13 years ago

   Do you refer to yourself as a writer?
   
   Do you think it matters (when calling yourself a writer) if you have never been paid for your work? I have written poetry and short stories since I was a teenager, admittedly with a break of a few years, and I now write a blog and some hubs. I consider myself a writer but feel nervous about calling myself one because I have never written professionally. Does anyone else feel the same way?

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2. 48

   Peejposted 13 years ago

   Don't put yourself in a position like that. If you say you are a pro. Then you are a pro. Your hubs don't disagree with me either. Keep writing.

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3. 60

   mr. daydreamposted 13 years ago

   If this is something you're good at and feel it in your heart and practice regularly, then you are definantly a writer. As far as getting paid for it, like any craft, it takes years to fully develop your skill of writing to where people (agents and editors in particular) will be willing to pay top dollar for your material. Remember you're competing with thousands and thousands of writers out there, so it definantly depends on the quality (content and error wise) of your material. If you're a sloppy writer who don't like to do accurate research and proof read to look for errors, then no one will take you seriously and may not even finish reading your material.
   
   Make sure that your story makes since and is not overly repetitious, or too vague. It can get a little tiring going back consistently to edit and look for errors, but if you're the self-conscious writer who cares about his product and what his audience reads then you'll gladly oblige.

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4. 61

   MickSposted 13 years ago

   You're a writer but you don't get paid, that makes you an amateur, I'm a writer and I do get paid, but that doesn't make me a professional, I don't make my living from writing, I just happen to submit the few articles I write a year to print publishers that pay to use them.  We're both still writers, there is no stigma attached to the term, amateur.

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5. 62

   xxfourthelementposted 13 years ago

   Being a "writer" has nothing to do with professionalism, like being a "photographer" doesn't mean that you are paid to take pictures.  Since it's also a hobby, it's a pretty accurate description.
   
   As per your question...  I'm not part of the workforce yet, because I'm still in college, but I'm a creative writing and journalism double major, so I guess it's accurate to call myself a writer.  I usually do.

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6. 0

   ryankettposted 13 years ago

   A writer writes in the same way that a runner runs, and in the same way that a smoker smokes. You don't have to be a marathon winner to call yourself a runner. If you write frequently then you can call yourself a writer. There is no secret club, no qualifications needed.
   
   You can call yourself a writer freely without fear of criticism, those who criticise are often no more qualified than you. What you cannot call yourself is a journalist, as journalists are qualified and regulated. So go ahead and write something, you writer.

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7. 61

   saket71posted 13 years ago

   In Ayn Rand classic "The Fountainhead" when asked by Elseworth Toohey as to what he (Roark) thought about him, he says, " I don't think about you". That is an absolutely telling statement and contains a philosophy therein. What is more important is if you do have a knack and urge to write, to keep writing and spreading the good work. Though, truly, in a society as ours today, we feel embarrassed of things which we ought to be proud of, and yes when my collegues ask me if I have really published a book of philosophical essays, I do feel some sense of embarrassment out of it since the book does not bring me millions as Ms. Rowlings' does, but then Schopenhauer sold two hundred fifty copies of The World as Will and Representation.

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8. 60

   Dave Mathewsposted 13 years ago

   Why oh why should you care what others think or call you. I write I'm a writer and an author, what ever you post on your hub becomes published whether or not you are paid for it.
   I am a singer. I am an amateur chef. What do I care what others might say or think? I don't! I am who and what I am.

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9. 0

   Butch Newsposted 13 years ago

   I call myself an artist.  A photographer, painter and writer.  That's what I do.  You don't have to be famous to tell people what you do.

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10. 61

    kazemaru2posted 13 years ago

    Yes it doesn't matter if you're published or not if you're creative enough you're a writer.

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11. 62

    Dawn Tateposted 13 years ago

    I don't label my talent as there are others who are better or worse than me but, in the large scheme of things, it's still a talent whether it be writing, cooking, crafting or being a general pain in the rear. Talent in any given form should be appreciated.  Have I been paid for my talent?  Yup, but it has a lot more personal value than whatever anyone wants to pay me for it. 
    
    Do you like your work?  Ok, then.  Call yourself what you want.

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12. 53

    tlmntim9posted 13 years ago

    Every Chance I get! It;s what I do, want, think about, do...I't what I am...so yes. I do.
    Tim W
    tlmntim9

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13. 60

    R. Sinclairposted 13 years ago

    Yes, I do refer to myself as a writer. I've never done it professionally, but I still call myself a writer. I, too, have been writing since I was in my teens and have come to realize "professional" is just a category. "Writing" is the craft. As long as you practice the craft of writing, you are a writer!

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14. 60

    Jarnposted 13 years ago

    Yes. What I'd love to be able to refer to myself as is a fulltime novelist.

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15. 60

    angel Grahamposted 13 years ago

    I consider myself a writer. I write. Doesn't matter if I get paid or not.
    I consider an Author to be one who gets paid.
    
    What I do is I blog. You have to write to blog, so I am a writer who blogs.  That's how I view it.

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16. 70

    DanielBing1posted 13 years ago

    I refer to myself as a loser usually. I'd love to be a writer, that is be paid for my work, but it hasn't panned out yet. Someday I think it will though.

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17. 60

    QudsiaP1posted 13 years ago

    Dear oh dear, you need not be paid to be called a writer.
    
    If the pen in your hand can create melodies in front of you then behold my dear, a writer you are.
    
    Never let any one judge you.

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18. 0

    klanguedocposted 13 years ago

    If you ever have written anything that has been published; online or in print, then you are a writer. Do you see yourself as a writer?

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19. 60

    nasakeposted 13 years ago

    I am a writer. Sometimes I am better than other times... but even if i was writing the worse story or piece of text ever written i would still be a writer. Yeah i know... how morbid.... Stephanie meyer IS actually a writer

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20. 72

    Barnseyposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I do have that problem. If someone asks what I am I do not want to say I am a writer because I have nothing published that I can refer them to. The ol', "Oh yeah, your a writer, uh huh, I get it..."
    To avoid that I would respond, "I am a driver." Unemployed what am I? A struggler? A seeker? Why are we so hung up on titles anyway? I could care less what someone calls me as long as I am getting paid to do it! If I am not getting paid I kind of feel like it is still a hobby. Just my opinion but a humble opinion it is.

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