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In the Spotlight
I Am a Writer
by Jaden
For burgeoning authors, one of the hardest hurdles to jump is being able to say the words, “I am a writer.”
The most commonly asked question by new acquaintances is, “What do you do?” This is the defining moment in relationships. What you say here suddenly becomes everything that you ever were or ever will be.
Squirming and getting queasy, you might claim to be a gigolo or a gift-wrapper or a cracker-jacker, anything to avoid uttering, “I’m a writer.”
Who believes the “I’m a writer” line anyway? Everyone is a writer.
Worse than strangers are your loved ones. Saying “I’m a writer” to your nearest and dearest elicits responses like, “Fantastic, you’ll be poor forever.” Or, “You think you’re special?” Or, “Why don’t you get a real job and work like the rest of us?”
Even though you work eight days a week from the moment you wake until the moment you go to sleep, your friends and family think you aren’t doing anything. People think that because you haven’t showered or dressed or moved from a single spot in three days that you are lounging around drinking margaritas, when the opposite is true; each shower is a half hour wasted that you could be writing.
Writing is a sap-drippingly slow process. Writers dread giving up any time to clean, eat, socialize, or even go to the bathroom. They long for the day when they can say “I’m a writer” and feel confident about it because they are actually getting paid for it. Anything that does not contribute to that goal, ie. anything that is not writing, is a bother and a distraction.
All those hours and years you slave away with only the support of a small handful of people, then all the sudden, you are an “overnight success!”
No, you were a closet writer.
The moment you acquire fame or fortune, those same people who didn’t believe in you will be telling everyone how you are their buddy. Companies will throw more free stuff at you than you could ever begin to imagine. Invitations to events pour out of chic faucets into your hands. And everyone will want to know how you did it.
How did you do it?
If you never say you are a writer, how will anyone ever know you are a writer? How will anyone pay you for your writing if no one knows you write? At some point, you have to start saying, “I’m a writer.”
My new Internet friends have recently been making comments about wanting to be writers. Full to the brim with creativity, writing and editing, these people run their own websites. I tell them, “You write everyday; you are a writer.”
Just because you are not making money at writing, does not mean that you are not a writer. If you love to write, you spend every waking hour writing, and you can relate to this article, you are a writer.
In these modern times, we feel that our worth is based on how much money we make or how much traffic comes through our website.
There are mediocre writers who make millions and unknown geniuses who make nothing; they are both writers.
Income only defines a writer to people who are unable to assess quality on their own.
How good of a writer you are depends on your natural talents, how much you practice, and how much you educate yourself. Just like with any art, career, or sport, you get out of it what you put into it.
The sooner you can say, “I’m a writer,” the sooner you will be a writer.
Think about this. Every famous writer came out of a womb, had a childhood, grew up, felt lost in the world (probably), and ultimately came around to express him/herself through the written word. At some point, each of these people had to stand up to everyone and say, “I’m a writer.”
Being passionate about writing and spending the bulk of your time writing makes you a writer. Whether or not you earn a living at writing is up to you.
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14 Responses to “I Am a Writer”
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“…each shower is a half hour wasted that you could be writing.”
Exactly so. And that’s where I end up getting my best ideas. Waterproof laptop…that’s what I’d invent, except that it would take time away from my writing.
Awesome post. Thanks so much for it.
R.J. KELLER — Laughing. Thanks.
A writer friend of mine said she gets her best ideas in the shower too. Not me. I am brain dead in there. The only thing I am thinking is: Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhmmmm, warm — until the hot water ends.
Fantastic article, Jaden. Thanks! I only recently started alerting people to the fact that “I’m a screenwriter.” (you’d be surprised how many people don’t even know what that is!). Everyone should do this. Even if you have a 40 hour a week day job. It’s empowering to say it. I’ve arranged my schedule to a 4 day part time day job so I can write more. Anyway, thanks again, gotta go write… wait, must shower first. Damn.
:)
Great post Jaden. Thanks a lot for your advice in this post and the previous ones.
ReelNinja
Read John Gardner’s books for inspiration, all you writers out there; he hits the nail on the head. Sure, your relatives have banking careers, spec real estate empires, kids in private school, planes, islands (some of mine actually do), but…
I am a writer and a screenwriter. I can honestly say it after years of temp, teaching, even floral jobs. I’m making a living and hope to do even better this year! Thanks for your great column. Enjoy your site and find myself checking it more and more.
Now if we could just solve that Dali/Depp mystery? :-)
Muzz-NYC
HELYN — Thanks! That is so great to hear about what you did. That is exactly what I would advise any serious new screenwriter to do: get a part time job. Full time jobs require far too much time and energy; at the end of the day, we have nothing left for ourselves. I am so happy for you.
MUZZ — Yipee! Great to hear a success story.
As for Depp, rumors are still circulating that he will do the Dali story, which I really hope he does, but still no legitimate confirmation that I have seen and certainly no “auditions” for a script. Who auditions screenplays anyway? Auditions are for actors. Screenwriters SUBMIT scripts. That was the weirdest written gossipy news piece I had read in a long time.
For people who missed it, News Today is a Crock of Crap: Searching for the Depp-Dali Screenplay Competition:
http://www.screenwritingforhollywood.com/celebrities/news-today-sucks-depp-dali
REEL NINJA — Thank you.
I’m the girl who gets her best ideas in the shower! So, of course, taking a shower is like making a pilgrimage to see my muse. Hmm, that sounds dirty.
I write. Therefore I am a writer.
I have coined my writerhood with many different terms over the years, from “I like to write poetry sometimes” all the way to “I am a professional writer.”
Whenever I meet someone who sort of dabbles in writing, I’ll say “Oh! You’re a writer too!” They usually respond by claiming, no, not really. They’ve never been published and only do it on the weekends or just write for themselves. To which I say: You write and that makes you a writer.
Don’t sell yourself short!
MELISSA — Laughing. Perfectly stated! Thank you for adding that.
I know that I promised to keep you updated about what’s happening. This is not a personal comment, but directly related to this very timely and fantastic article!
After resigning from my job of over 3 years, now is the time I can truly call myself a WRITER. Yes! Finally, I can write and post and comment and react and join and be free to express what I feel. Everyday I wake up to this new-found freedom and there’s my PC staring at me, and my website asking me to “post 3 articles a day or more!” It’s like my PC knew I can do much more.
When I was working full time, I could only blog at night, but I already felt tired and exhausted and wanting to just sleep and wait for the dreaded next day of work. But I still find the time and the will to do what I like most- to write and to be part of this online community- where strangers become friends, where you can tell others about your most cherished dreams and even your innermost secrets. [ well, not yet! ] LOL
As usual, I have no idea why, it’s in your blog that I keep on doing this! But you have inspired me. Looking back, I don’t think I have the courage to say upfront the words “I’m a writer!” with such conviction. But today, I can, and I’m not afraid, even though I still need to improve my grammar, that I have to shorten my sentences and make them more meaningful and concise and clear….yes I can!
“The sooner you can say, “I’m a writer,” the sooner you will be a writer! ” Indeed!
Jed - Congrats on your new found freedom.
JED — Thank you. Compliments from those we respect are always the best. Wow, 3 years! That is a major accomplishment, congratulations.
If I may be so bold, here are two suggestions for Jed concerning grammar issues. I spent many moons teaching English to ESL students of all proficiency levels (I even taught some actresses) and often edit fiction and non-fiction as part of my freelance work.
The blue book by Betty S. Azar (advanced grammar) is great for nuts and bolts, exercises and examples. Gerund vs. infinitive, subjunctive, etc. All there…a great refresher and reference book.
Joseph Williams’ Style: 10 Lessons in Clarity and Grace is wonderful way to clear up syntax and find the true subject of sentences. Prof. Williams taught at University of Chicago for many years; this book is a great legacy.
Both books have multiple editions and are easy to find in either new or used editions.
Congratulations on your new job — as a writer!
MUZZ — Thanks for adding the book tips for us! I’m always looking for good guides. One can never learn too much.
Hi Muzz!
Thanks a lot! Up to now, I still feel ‘inadequate’ and need help as to editing my articles. At first, I felt that whenever someone deals with my writings and change/alter something, it somehow feels the work is not mine anymore. But after sometime I find it’s also a great way to learn and improve on my writing. Perhaps as a writer I have to deal with my insecurities and use them to my advantage.
At the moment, I have a website and we have an editor. She is quite frank and honest about my writing skills. Which is something i really appreciate, I don’t want someone to edit my work and feel obligated or feel intimidated by me, it should be the other way around, me feeling intimidated by her coz she’s the one correcting my work! The word intimidated may sound a bit harsh, but I can’t think of a word to use.
I have this question about the writer-editor relationship, still hanging over me. For one, an editor is supposed to be ’superior’ to the writer in the sense that she’s the one correcting the writer’s work right? If the writer has this notion that he’s more ’superior’ to his editor, then there might be feelings of reservation or even resentment. I’m glad I don’t have that feeling. But are there others?
As a writer how far are you willing to have your work edited and altered? Is your willingness (or otherwise) somewhat connected to your self-esteem and self-confidence? If you feel sure about your capacity as a writer, will it feel much better or worst? I’m just trying to explore views and opinions here…! ;)