Am I lying? No, I write. I write a lot!! Also, I believe in visualization. I see myself writing my most recent ideas in my story whether at the computer or sitting in my favorite chair. I also know that in my case, confessing that I am a writer is more and more making it so. I am growing into that identity. Finally, I believe it is something I’m called to do. Those who believe in God may understand what I mean. My confession in this is, “I believe in myself and I believe in the Holy Spirit with me. Together, we are a writer.”

So, yes, I’m a writer, even though I’m a novice. What I don’t confess is that I’m an “author”. That’s a different thing to me. I consider an author someone who goes beyond writing to someone who is published.

I hope this helps someone else to understand that just by writing, he or she IS a writer, and can say so to anyone. Then, if it helps to feel more honest, which I always support, clarify it. “I’m not an actual author yet, and I’m not sure I want to publish”, or “I don’t yet consider myself to be an author, though. I hope to publish someday, and then I’ll be an author.”

So, what do I do? I’m a writer.

But the word is scary, because of the clichés, because I’m afraid to look like the presomptuous idiots who scratch on a piece of paper and call it art. Because I still feel like I still have a long way to go before I can actually write all the things I have in my mind.

It’s funny how everyone writes ever since they can remember, because I didn’t. It’s only been a year or two, when I was eighteen, and when my parents bought me my laptop. Ever since though, I write all the time, everyday, for hours.

I’m not a writer, for the moment. Just a guy who writes absolutely all the time.

I think the question should be: “what makes you a writer”?
Not a great, or poor, or talented one. Just a writer.

This is is a word too big to be used just like that, and I’m not calling myself one until I’ve written, publised and sold my work.

Annie

I have always been envious of people who knew from the time they were very little what they wanted to be. Not too long ago I remembered playing office with a friend when I was 5 or 6 and she said she was going to publish my book and I ran out to tell my parents because I was so excited. She was going to publish my book!! :-) I wrote a newsletter for my class in 3rd grade – the whole thing. It was all my idea and I did it all myself. Then I wrote a series of books that my classmates could check out one at a time. And now, when I learn something new about myself or the world, my hand twitches and aches for a pen and paper so I can share it.

So yeah, I think I knew what I wanted to be when I was little. I think I was born to be a writer.

I think early in the journey it’s really easy to give up on writing. You worry it won’t take you anywhere. But, as you spend more time practicing, learning about the craft, and seeing improvement, it becomes harder to put it aside. That’s the place I’m at right now. I

In my adult life I’ve been writing fiction for the past five years, but I struggle with the label of ‘writer,’ given that most of the time I’m not writing, but rather obsessing over the fact I should be writing (if indeed a writer is what I want to be). I take part in NaNoWriMo every November to kick start my writing, but no sooner have I typed ‘The End’ than I invariably consign the manuscript to the murky depths of my hard drive, never to be looked at again. And the cycle begins again in earnest…

In answer to your question, I suppose I know I’m meant to be a writer because even when I’m too lazy to do it, I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s like a constant nagging voice in my head that just won’t let me ignore it. Do I have what it takes to be a success? Who knows. But what is the measure of success? Book sales? Or just the satisfaction of having eloquently conveyed your thoughts, emotions – not forgetting the thoughts and emotions of your characters – into words?

All I know is that I like it. For whatever reason it’s a part of me, and I hope it always will be.