Introducing oneself as a writer, especially if it’s not your primary source of income, can feel fraudulent. It can seem like an undeserved compliment. After all, mowing your lawn doesn’t make you a professional landscaper, and frying up a grilled cheese doesn’t make you a chef. Why is writing any different? Because writing is more than how many pages you’ve penned or books you’ve authored. A writer is one who engages in a process. Let’s see if you fit into my definition of a writer.
Can You Call Yourself a Writer?
When you write out of passion or pleasure rather than necessity, that is when you can start calling yourself a writer. Take my ham-fisted lawnmowing analogy above for example. While you may enjoy mowing your lawn, it’s a chore that needs doing. It’s not until you build enough of a passion for the task that you actively seek out opportunities to mow others’ lawns that you can refer to yourself as a landscaper. The same goes for writing. Writing an appeal letter to challenge a parking ticket is a necessity. Writing a journal or memoir is inessential. If you feel driven to write that which is unnecessary, you’re considered a writer.
Must I Be Published to Consider Myself a Writer?
In my opinion, to be considered an author, you need to be published. To be considered a writer, though, you just need to be engaged in the act of writing. Look at it like this: To be considered a woodworker, you don’t need to be selling ten-piece dressers at a department store; you just need to build a chair or footstool for personal fulfillment. The same goes for writing: If you’re journaling, blogging, or simply writing stories to amuse yourself, you’re a writer. Own it, and live it.
Being a Writer is a State of Mind, Not a Job Title
A writer is someone who derives passion and enjoyment from written word. Someone who desires to share their ideas and stories with others. You may always struggle with the notion of calling yourself a writer, but all writing’s about is developing and exercising creativity within written work. It’s about making the most out of your free time and challenging yourself to nurture your writing ability. Develop your writer’s mindset, and calling yourself a writer will become less and less of an alien concept.
“Writer” is a flexible term, like actor or athlete. There are several categories that fall under such terms. To refer to yourself as a writer is not to boast about authorship but to delineate your focus and journey. It's a proclamation of your willingness to hone your craft and welcome others to share in your pastime. In the end, whether to call yourself a writer is your own personal choice, but you should never sell yourself short. Though, should you take on the title, mean it, and more importantly, keep writing.