We writer-types tend to over-think and over-analyze nearly everything, and one question which pops up frequently, especially in those early days is, “Am I a real writer?”
Let me help you out. The answer is yes.
Here’s how I know. Consider the following questions:
Are you real? (Let’s avoid the deep waters of existential debate, shall we? You are tangible and occupying space and time. Good enough for me.)
Do you write?
If you answered both questions ‘yes,’ then congratulations. You are a real writer.
Now you may say, “But I’m unpublished.” Then you are a real unpublished writer.
“I don’t have an agent.” You are a real, unagented writer.
“I’ve never made any money at this.” You a real, unpaid writer.
“I haven’t finished my book yet.” You are a real story-crafting writer.
“But I only write poems.” (Or short stories, or devotionals or whatever.) You are a real poet. (Or short story writer or devotional writer or whatever writer.)
Notice that ‘am’ is present tense. I am a real writer now. (So are you.) It doesn’t matter if you are an eleven-year-old writing Star Wars fan fiction or if you are waiting on our seventh book to come out. All of us are working, learning, growing and improving. Granted, some are a little farther from the start line than others, but I don’t think any of us have arrived at the finish line. I’m not so sure there is a finish line.
Being a writer is about unleashing your own individual creativity. It’s not about waiting for someone else to tap your shoulder and initiate you into the sacred bonds of writerhood. You are a real writer as soon as you take up your pen and say “I’m going to do this.”
So what are you waiting for? Don’t you have some writing to do?
Paula Wiseman is an award-winning author. Paula has published five books with MindStir Media — all of them have spent time on Amazon.com bestseller lists. Her sixth book, Sanction, will be released later this year. She also had the honor of appearing on Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act,” where she discussed her books. Learn more about Paula Wiseman at her website/blog: www.paulawiseman.com
