Are you only an 'official' Writer when you get published?

Carmel Bachelor · Post by **Carmel Bachelor** » 06 Feb 2018, 20:29

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and really want to know what other people think. So I've been working on my first book for about 2 years now and I'm about halfway through it. Its been a veryyy long process as I kept changing characters and plot points and sub-plots etc, and also running into my fair share of writers block.

My book isn't something I advertise to my friends and family, its very much my 'personal project' right now, and I feel like I can't call it more than that because If my friends/family ask about it, I always get two responses, or two phrases they always throw at me. Either 'Your book is gonna be awesome, you've always been a natural writer!' or 'When it gets published, you can finally call yourself a writer!'

Any thoughts on this? Are you a writer because you love writing, or are you a writer because you're published?

Vendlyss · Post by **Vendlyss** » 07 Feb 2018, 09:57

I feel that you are a writer, because you love writing. I'm in the same boat. I have been working on the same book on or off for the last six years. When it is finally finished, I know I'll have a great sense of accomplishment. However, if I can't get it published, I don't feel that diminishes the journey it took to get there. I've been writing all of my life. I still consider myself a writer even though I'm not published yet. It's my love and passion.

Mekkinism · Post by **Mekkinism** » 08 Feb 2018, 16:58

I believe there's only one real criteria to be a writer and it's this: writers write. As long as you are engaging in the act of writing, you are a writer. I think people who aren't writers sometimes get it into their head that writing is easy in that "I'll eventually get around to writing my own book" kind of way. Like just because they can pen a Facebook status, they could write a novel if they really ever just put their mind to it. But I think it's worth acknowledging to yourself that what you are doing, writing consistently over a long period of time and not giving up on your project, is much more than most people do. The difference between aspiring writers and actual writers is the actual writing. I mean, you wouldn't wait until you were an endorsed athlete to call yourself a runner, or wait until you were paid to read books (the dream!) to call yourself a reader. Why should writing be any different?

Helen_Combe · Post by **Helen_Combe** » 26 Mar 2018, 11:44

I would say that you are a writer if you write and an author if you’ve been published.

TashaCrispin · Post by **TashaCrispin** » 01 Apr 2018, 19:43

You started being a writer the moment you fell in love with writing. Even before you started writing that book 2 years ago. After publishing, you'll be recognized as an author who created the idea in the book and a writer too because you wrote the book.

Being a writer comes way before anyone recognizes your work.

Mana_Hale · Post by **Mana_Hale** » 02 Apr 2018, 21:45

Personally, I feel there is a definite distinction between those who "write" and those who are "writers." People who just write as a little side hobby and don't seriously pursue and think about writing every moment of every day don't necessarily in my opinion count as writers. As an editor I can see the difference in people almost immediately - those who are writers are too busy writing to care about whether they are one, whereas those who aren't writers are often the ones most desperate to be identified as writers, and writers are much more able to take constructive criticism than those who just write for themselves.

It's more a mindset and lifestyle than whether you've published anything yet.

Zilelabelle · Post by **Zilelabelle** » 03 Apr 2018, 12:43

My opinion is that you are a writer if you can't stop doing it. I love writing, I've done it since I can remember. I get lost inside stories of my own making more often than I do anything else. Having outside validation is nice, but it doesn't make me any more or less of a writer. I think that it's what you believe you are that counts, not what everyone else does.

palilogy · Post by **palilogy** » 10 Jun 2018, 12:51

No.
I've called myself a writer long before I was published. I don't care what people think too much about my writing though, so I was never waiting for their approval to become a writer.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 18 Jun 2018, 05:23

Anyone who writes can be called as a writer, no need to publish anything. But to announce it officially, I think there has to be some recognition and for that publishing is important

JazmynElizabeth · Post by **JazmynElizabeth** » 18 Jun 2018, 11:16

You're a writer if you are a good writer - if you love writing but suck you're not a writer. You're an author if you're published.

johany · Post by **johany** » 10 Oct 2018, 13:11

good day i have stories and want them published so how does it happen

Karen Crumley · Post by **Karen Crumley** » 15 Oct 2018, 11:29

As Billy Crystal said in Throw Mama From the Train , "A writer writes. Always."

You're a writer if you are always writing, regardless of publication. You're an author if you ever had anything published.

Karen Crumley · Post by **Karen Crumley** » 15 Oct 2018, 11:32

palilogy wrote: ↑10 Jun 2018, 12:51 No.
I've called myself a writer long before I was published. I don't care what people think too much about my writing though, so I was never waiting for their approval to become a writer.

Well said.

serendipity 27 · Post by **serendipity 27** » 20 Oct 2018, 17:04

I feel that if you love what you're writing then you're a writer. Even if you are not officially validated by having your work published, the fact that you spent your own time and energy to formulate your thoughts onto paper means something.