I'm A Writer

Since joining a local writing group I've shied away from identifying myself as a writer.  There are people in the group who write--it's what they do, the creative outlet that drives them.  They talk about writing weekends, editing groups, publishers and seminars.  Most of them have investigated publishing houses or agents and have at least one manuscript they are polishing up to shop around.  They are writers; I'm a hack.

Recently I read something that changed my mind.  In his book The First Five Pages, Noah Lukeman wrote, "You may feel uncomfortable thinking of yourself as a "writer." This is commonly encountered in new writers. They will often duck the label, insist they're not writers but have only written such and such because they had the idea in their head... Despite popular conviction, a writer doesn't need to wear black, be unshaven, sickly, and parade around New York’s East Village spewing aphorisms and scaring children... All you need is the willingness to be labeled "writer," and with one word you are a writer."

He had me pegged.  Just an hour before I had spewed the same excuses.  For the next few weeks I pondered my seriousness in wanting to write, learning the craft, and sharing what I write.  Finally, I can say that I am a writer.  Maybe not a good writer and certainly not a great one, but I am a writer.  Some things have definitely changed.  I am not writing to be published (although I wouldn't cry if a book landed on store shelves someday).  I am writing to write, and no one else has to like it (although it would be nice if someone eventually liked something).

Thanks Noah.