NovelTalk - You...Are a Writer

You...Are a Writer

by Helen Brenna

I’ve struggled through the years with identifying myself as a writer, not only to other people, but to myself as well. Although I did tell friends and family about my writing when I first started years and years ago, I ended up later regretting the admission. Primarily because it took soooo long to get published, and those well-meaning people had no clue when they’d ask, “So, how’s the writing going?” how slowly this business operates.

Back then, I was an at-home mom and it took me a year to write a book. Add to that, the time it takes to hear back from contests, agents and editors, and not a lot was happening from one of my husband’s holiday office parties to the next.

I dreaded people asking me the question, “So, what do you do?” Invariably, I’d go through some convoluted explanation that went something like this. “Well, my undergraduate degree is in accounting and I worked for eight years before deciding to stay home with my kids, and now … well, now … I’m … writing.”

I know, major identity crisis, but it’s not just me. It’s other people too. When you tell someone you’re a writer, she automatically assumes that means you’re published and your book is on the shelf.

Well, I’m here you to tell you that Webster’s definition of “writer” mentions not one word about contracts, or money, or covers. Same thing goes for the definition of the word author. A writer is “one who writes.” And an author is a “writer of a literary work (as in a book, any book).”

I just signed contracts for books five, six and seven, and when people ask me what I do, I still have a moment’s hesitation before I say the words, “I’m a writer.”

So start practicing it now. You will get there in your own way and in your own time. In the mean time, be proud of what you’ve accomplished. There are a lot of people who say, “I could write a book.” There are very few who even attempt to write one.

You did. And are still writing. That’s because you … are a writer.