Posted by smgood on Jun 8th, 2012 and filed under Articles, Publishing, Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
Are you a writer or an aspiring writer? What makes one a writer? What’s in a name?
This isn’t a new topic. If you google the question, you will discover any number of discussions and opinions on the subject matter. Even the dictionary and wikipedia can’t agree on a definition, listing more than one, from one who writes a particular text to how one writes.
Some believe writing is a gift, a skill, and others believe one must complete an apprenticeship of sorts, proving competency before calling themselves a writer.
With the explosion of the internet, everyone has a website, or blog, so how would competency be measured? Is it by educational degrees? After your first book is published? What about articles and stories? How many must be published before giving you credibility? Does being the author of a blog count?
Or, must you make money, be employed in a job, writing?
I agree, writing is a god-given-gift and a learned skill. For those of us requiring or desiring to improve our craft, opportunities abound. Resources can be found online, within your local community, books, magazines, blogs, through classes and conferences, and should be utilized by all writer’s.
For me personally, I use a number of avenues. Critique groups where I seek honest and constructive feedback, classes, subscriptions to writing resources, books and magazines. Everyday, I learn something new. Writer’s come in all shapes and sizes, some with the ability to move us from word one, while others must work harder.
I am not an aspiring writer, although I aspire to do many things in this life. To be a better writer, and to have my first novel published are among a few of the things I aspire to do.
But, I am a writer. It’s how I see the world. I believe words are powerful. They delight, sadden, provoke, and soothe us. They move the world, and influence people, and when one has the courage to put pen to paper, because they want or must share their words with others, I call them by their name, Writer.
Shakespeare reminded us long ago the value of a name.
“What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would not smell as sweet.”
“What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would not smell as sweet.”
My name is Sheila, and I am a writer. What is your name?
