or, When Will My Pen Staring Writing in Gold Ink? - I'm not sure why some writers hesitate to call themselves writers, but I'm one step closer to understanding.
As a member of Generation Jones with parents who respected and expected institution-based careers (cough academics cough), I felt like a “real writer” a. when my institutional business card said so and b. when I got cold hard cash.
The definition has expanded since, but that same external validation drove me to apply for grants, submit (what a verb!) work to lit journals, and publish books.
Writing doesn’t pay my bills anymore but I still consider myself a real writer and work/play at it as much as I can. When I’ve gone days or weeks without writing (even when it’s a “vacation” I planned for), I don’t feel like myself. So it’s now true because I know it is so.
I mean, I stand by my statement that anyone who writes is a writer. But for writers who need a bit extra validation...
Hmm, the wheels are turning...
I also like the answer about missing writing when you don't do it for a long time. It's almost like you're missing a part of yourself. I haven't personally experienced this, I don't think. But then, I'm never not writing, even if it's only in my head. It's a common phenomenon though -- an itch that can only be scratched by writing!
Thanks for the insights -- you always give me something new to think about!
When I was sitting at my keyboard or scribbling in a notebook, occasionally, when I had a moment, or felt the urge to write (usually during a long weekend, which means a few times a year), I would never have called myself a writer. Even when I had to deliver a magazine article every 2 weeks, I still didn't call myself a writer. I'd say that I had a side job as a freelance journalist. Now that I put my butt in the chair every day to write an article, edit a text, ponder a story, worry about a deadline, I have no hesitation in telling people who ask that I am a writer. Because it's my job and I treat it like that. It's the most pleasant job I ever had - I set my hours, I don't have a boss telling me what to do. Okay, the pay sucks, but freedom is priceless, right? For me, it's all about the attitude: serious or lackluster? Committed or easily distracted? Nose to the grind or chasing butterflies?
Yes -- what you're describing is similar to how people describe a hobby. I think about the painters who don't call themselves painters, because they paint just for fun. They "dabble".
Perhaps for some writers, it has to become more than a hobby. That attitude you talk about.
I still say that chasing butterflies can be part of the process, though! But that's my own, personal viewpoint... lol
Being the holder of the framed short story published in a magazine that you gifted me, I can certainly speak from some experience that the reason I feel most like a writer is because of you. Having people in my corner, rooting for me, seeing my efforts, and cheering me on has made all the difference. Being a writer is to be often isolated. We aren’t playing a team sport where there are others to witness us. We are squirrelling away in a corner, hidden behind a screen, and wondering if our words are of common ink or golden. Most words are never shared or see the light of day in any capacity. So to be seen, I think, makes all the difference. And Graham, you make writers feel seen.
Wow -- thanks Jodene! I can only say, it's easy to root for you. Your wit, your subtlety, your humour -- I love it all. I'm always up for reading whatever you're putting down.
I'll also add that hey, maybe writing *can* be a team sport. There are chess teams where individuals play the games, but they are all together to give each other support. Why not writing teams?
Why not start a writing team? Like, today? Say, at 5pm-ish...? UP for Writing!
I really loved this post, Graham. I think most writers still can’t see the “finish line.”
In this vein, here’s a paragraph from my new novel An End in Itself (in bookstores Nov. 3) that veers close to your topic. My protagonist, a mid-list writer, Malcolm Forde, has somehow awakened one morning in a parallel universe where writers in general, and he in particular, are somehow at the top of the social order with rabid fans, stadium tours, and unbridled wealth. Rockstars have been replaced by “writestars.” In this fantasy world, in an interview with his biographer(!) the morning after he’s given a book talk for 70,000 screaming fans in a dome stadium, he responds to a question about what writing means to him, and says, in part…
“Okay, here’s another way to put it. I’ve just completed what I think would be considered by any fair-minded observer to be a very successful global tour. I can still barely believe that it actually happened. But do you know what I treasure most from the experience? And I seriously mean this. Even though, given my plush circumstances, this might seem very easy for me to say, it’s neither hubris nor hyperbole. I truly believe this. What I treasure most is certainly not words like ‘international platinum bestseller,’ ‘award-winning novelist,’ and ‘writestar’—in fact, those terms often make me feel a little queasy and uncomfortable. Rather, it’s that moment at the beginning of each tour event when I’m being introduced. Eventually, they get around to saying that I’m a writer—that I’m somehow a member of this ancient guild of artists called writers. That’s what hits me the hardest—that I have the privilege, the honour, of being introduced each night as a writer—that one, single, simple, powerful word. It still fills me up with satisfaction, pride, happiness, and gratitude, and still sends a thrill through me like a jolt of electricity. And that feeling was the same when I was doing library talks on my first novel to a handful of readers as it was last night when I was introduced at the MegaDome. That’s how I know I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing.”
As a member of Generation Jones with parents who respected and expected institution-based careers (cough academics cough), I felt like a “real writer” a. when my institutional business card said so and b. when I got cold hard cash.
The definition has expanded since, but that same external validation drove me to apply for grants, submit (what a verb!) work to lit journals, and publish books.
Writing doesn’t pay my bills anymore but I still consider myself a real writer and work/play at it as much as I can. When I’ve gone days or weeks without writing (even when it’s a “vacation” I planned for), I don’t feel like myself. So it’s now true because I know it is so.
This is an evergreen question to consider.
I like the business card thing!
I mean, I stand by my statement that anyone who writes is a writer. But for writers who need a bit extra validation...
Hmm, the wheels are turning...
I also like the answer about missing writing when you don't do it for a long time. It's almost like you're missing a part of yourself. I haven't personally experienced this, I don't think. But then, I'm never not writing, even if it's only in my head. It's a common phenomenon though -- an itch that can only be scratched by writing!
Thanks for the insights -- you always give me something new to think about!
When I was sitting at my keyboard or scribbling in a notebook, occasionally, when I had a moment, or felt the urge to write (usually during a long weekend, which means a few times a year), I would never have called myself a writer. Even when I had to deliver a magazine article every 2 weeks, I still didn't call myself a writer. I'd say that I had a side job as a freelance journalist. Now that I put my butt in the chair every day to write an article, edit a text, ponder a story, worry about a deadline, I have no hesitation in telling people who ask that I am a writer. Because it's my job and I treat it like that. It's the most pleasant job I ever had - I set my hours, I don't have a boss telling me what to do. Okay, the pay sucks, but freedom is priceless, right? For me, it's all about the attitude: serious or lackluster? Committed or easily distracted? Nose to the grind or chasing butterflies?
That's so interesting!
Yes -- what you're describing is similar to how people describe a hobby. I think about the painters who don't call themselves painters, because they paint just for fun. They "dabble".
Perhaps for some writers, it has to become more than a hobby. That attitude you talk about.
I still say that chasing butterflies can be part of the process, though! But that's my own, personal viewpoint... lol
Thanks for sharing!
Being the holder of the framed short story published in a magazine that you gifted me, I can certainly speak from some experience that the reason I feel most like a writer is because of you. Having people in my corner, rooting for me, seeing my efforts, and cheering me on has made all the difference. Being a writer is to be often isolated. We aren’t playing a team sport where there are others to witness us. We are squirrelling away in a corner, hidden behind a screen, and wondering if our words are of common ink or golden. Most words are never shared or see the light of day in any capacity. So to be seen, I think, makes all the difference. And Graham, you make writers feel seen.
Wow -- thanks Jodene! I can only say, it's easy to root for you. Your wit, your subtlety, your humour -- I love it all. I'm always up for reading whatever you're putting down.
I'll also add that hey, maybe writing *can* be a team sport. There are chess teams where individuals play the games, but they are all together to give each other support. Why not writing teams?
Why not start a writing team? Like, today? Say, at 5pm-ish...? UP for Writing!
I really loved this post, Graham. I think most writers still can’t see the “finish line.”
In this vein, here’s a paragraph from my new novel An End in Itself (in bookstores Nov. 3) that veers close to your topic. My protagonist, a mid-list writer, Malcolm Forde, has somehow awakened one morning in a parallel universe where writers in general, and he in particular, are somehow at the top of the social order with rabid fans, stadium tours, and unbridled wealth. Rockstars have been replaced by “writestars.” In this fantasy world, in an interview with his biographer(!) the morning after he’s given a book talk for 70,000 screaming fans in a dome stadium, he responds to a question about what writing means to him, and says, in part…
“Okay, here’s another way to put it. I’ve just completed what I think would be considered by any fair-minded observer to be a very successful global tour. I can still barely believe that it actually happened. But do you know what I treasure most from the experience? And I seriously mean this. Even though, given my plush circumstances, this might seem very easy for me to say, it’s neither hubris nor hyperbole. I truly believe this. What I treasure most is certainly not words like ‘international platinum bestseller,’ ‘award-winning novelist,’ and ‘writestar’—in fact, those terms often make me feel a little queasy and uncomfortable. Rather, it’s that moment at the beginning of each tour event when I’m being introduced. Eventually, they get around to saying that I’m a writer—that I’m somehow a member of this ancient guild of artists called writers. That’s what hits me the hardest—that I have the privilege, the honour, of being introduced each night as a writer—that one, single, simple, powerful word. It still fills me up with satisfaction, pride, happiness, and gratitude, and still sends a thrill through me like a jolt of electricity. And that feeling was the same when I was doing library talks on my first novel to a handful of readers as it was last night when I was introduced at the MegaDome. That’s how I know I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing.”
Wow -- that's exactly it! Somehow just "writer" is a step above "international bestseller" -- at least in our own minds.
Looking forward to your new book, Terry! Still hoping to make the official launch. And I must say, I'm deeply honoured you gave us a preview here...
Very glad to hear that you liked the post, too. I was iffy on it. Funny -- those are the ones that tend to land best with readers. I wonder why...?
Love this, Terry! 🎉 Can’t wait to read!