Monday 9 October 2017

When Can You Call Yourself A Real Writer?

by Enisa Haines



An aspiring writer plans or wishes or hopes to write. One day. But they never do. A writer, the dictionary states, is a person who writes. I write. I've written a number of novels. So I have the right to call myself a writer, a real writer, but do I really?

I sit diligently by the computer adding words to the screen, but many a time self-doubt sneaks up and I feel like a fraud.




I don't write full-time as my day job interferes. Still, writing dominates my thoughts, demanding my attention. I devote hours  daily to writing, both good hours when the words just flow and wasted hours when the words refuse to appear. I have critique partners whose suggestions I use to rewrite my work and make it the best it can be. So my writing  is more than a simple leisure pursuit. It's a serious pursuit on its way to being my career.



I am not published in full-length romance fiction. My heart aches but I'm passionate about writing and proud of what I have achieved. I've attended workshops and conferences to learn my craft. I've won and placed in contests. I've had short stories published. I write blog posts. I've completed whole manuscripts. I may not have books for sale in shops or online but I don't let the disappointment own me. I'm simply not yet published.




I haven't been offered a publishing contract but I have submitted my work to editors and agents via successful pitches at conferences and via the slush pile. One rejection came after another. Discouraging? You bet it is! It's a flogging of my self-confidence and I'm left wondering, 'Is my writing any good?' Then I tell myself, 'Hey, authors Stephen King and JK Rowling received rejection letters. Did that stop them from writing? No.'




Each rejection I have received is more encouraging than the last, giving clear explanations for rejecting and requesting new submissions. The editor wants to see more of my writing. That's a big confidence booster. Is it any wonder I'm soon back at the computer writing?




So, yes, I can call myself a writer, a real writer, and I can say it with confidence. And that's...empowering!


Have you found yourself wondering if you're a real writer? At what point have you decided you are?

Love to love - planning my 'top-of-the-bucket-list' writers' retreat and Northern Lights trip.

Love to laugh - at the radio DJs who make my commutes to work and back home fun drives.

Love to learn - what other writers think about their writing.

8 comments:

  1. Enisa, I love this blog post, it’s so inspirational. So many people get discouraged after a few rejections, but writers are writers, and keep writing...! All I can say is, never give up, the world needs you and your amazing writing.

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    1. Hi Malvina. Writing may seem easy, but it takes a lot of effort to write a whole book so an editor's letter rejecting your 'baby' (for that's what our work is) hits a writer hard. But if a writer is truly passionate about being a published author, they'll bounce back up and write more. If you want dreams to come true, you don't ever give up.

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  2. Hi Enisa! What a great post; you really poured yourself into it. I think we all have those moments of self-doubt, but it's those who keep plodding away who can call themselves 'real' writers, whether they be published or not. You're a great writer and can definitely call yourself a 'real' writer.

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    1. Hi Marilyn. Self-doubt is destructive and I sure don't to let it destroy my dream of being a published author. So the only way to go after receiving a rejection letter is to take what you learn from it and push forward. The goal is there and if a writer wants it enough they will reach it.

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  3. What an inspirational post Enisa. There are so many times I've asked myself the question. Am I any good? Am I really a writer? I think these doubts are shared by many. Especially after getting rejections. As you have said though, a writer writes and keeps on writing. Even through illness and fatigue I tried to write. I wanted to write. I believe I am a writer. I'm glad you do too.

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    1. Hi Cassandra. Doubts aren't discriminatory. They'll come at any time, ready to attack. If a writer really wants to succeed, if writing is truly their passion, they will write at every moment they can - yes, even when illness hits - because without writing a writer feels as if something is missing from their life. A writer is a writer, a real writer, when writing fulfills them. I believe we writers here at BITB are real writers.

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  4. Hi Enisa, thanks for sharing your thoughts re being a writer with us. Your motivation, persistence and success stories of growth as a writer are inspirational.

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  5. Hi Sharon. I'm a firm believer of 'if you want something, work hard at it and never give up and you will get there'. And if someone needs inspiration, I'm happy to share. :)

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