Am I A Writer?

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know

my bookAm I a writer? You ever ask yourself that question? I do, and am still hesitant to tell people I write. I’ve never published a book. I’ve never been paid to write anything. As a matter of fact my work was rejected because it wasn’t good enough. Side note-it really wasn’t good enough-I just didn’t know it at the time-I was too new to the game.

Becoming a writer is a process. The desire and idea may be there, but if you’re just starting out, you lack the skills and knowledge necessary to produce a successful piece of work.

Think of it like anything else you try for the first time.  Did you start out knowing how to tie your shoes, ride a bike, or read a book. No! You had to learn. They were skills you developed.

Being bad at something you really want to succeed at is part of the process. If you’re not willing to fail, stink, make mistakes, accept corrections and criticism, or seek counsel from experts, then you’re not likely to progress.–Jerry Jenkins

So when can you call yourself a writer? As soon as you’re willing to jump in and put yourself, or maybe I should say your ego, on the line.

If you’ve failed and are still writing, if you’re scared and are still writing, if you’ve stood up to a stinging critique and made your piece better by applying what you learned, if you’ve stayed at it despite that pervasive fear of failure, you are a writer.–Jerry Jenkins.

I hope this cleared up some questions in your mind. I, as mentioned above,  still struggle with the concept-I AM A WRITER 🙂

-Jan R

 

 

Am I A Writer?

5 thoughts on “Am I A Writer?”

  2. Quintessential Editor says:

    This is great post and it hit me right in the guts. I think anyone who is passionate about this pursuit feels the same things you are describing. I joke with my wife and parents that when my book finally gets out there if it doesn’t sell any copies I’m going to go live in the woods with Thor for a few years.

    As someone who helps others with writing, I can say author ego and motivation often times determine whether they actually finish the manuscript or not. Being able to weather those internal and external storms is hard for everyone involved.

    When people talk about writing and whether or not they are a writer, my mind always goes to this Chuck Wendig quote, “Here are the two states in which you may exist: person who writes, or person who does not. If you write: you are a writer. If you do not write: you are not. Aspiring is a meaningless null state that romanticizes Not Writing.”

    Thanks for sharing this awesome post!

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