I think of all the people who list their occupation as “Actor”
who wait tables. Am I writer who happens
to work as a Purchasing Manager?
I write a lot. I have
computer files and folders of various writing projects. As I’ve cleaned out some storage boxes and
drawers lately, I keep finding paragraphs and essays I’ve written through the
years with which I (still) cannot part.
But none of this, in my opinion, makes me a writer.
Just because I’ve not submitted anything to a publication
does not disqualify me from claiming the title “Writer”. Just because I haven’t had anything published
or sought an agent does not disqualify me from declaring myself a writer. I deny myself the privilege of “Writer”
status because I have not been open about my pieces. I’ve been selective about what I’ve published
on my blog and even more selective about revealing (via Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
that I’ve even blogged; leaving the possibility of acquiring any sort of
readership to a chance “Google” encounter.
Writers must be open and authentic in their craft. Fiction writers must be honest about their
characters if they want to persuade their readers to take interest in them. Essayists must be willing to reveal a part of
themselves if they want to compel their audiences to feel and understand their
points. Writers of Non-Fiction take the
chance readers will mock their assertions; but they still have to reveal them.
Composing at a keyboard; writing in a journal; scratching
out a phrase or sentence on a Post-it does not make one a writer. Writers need an audience of more than one. Writers must be willing to put “put
themselves out there”. Writers need to
click the “Link to Twitter and Facebook” options on their Blogs and then hit “Send”.
Let’s see if I’m “write” about this.
No comments:
Post a Comment