I really do feel like I’m confessing something here, guys. I’ve been writing semi-consistently for the past 2 years or so, but I haven’t really spoken much about it up until the past few months. I’ve dropped tidbits here and there on the blog, on twitter, and occasionally on Instagram, so if you’ve caught wind of my writing on any of those platforms, bravo! You’re a true follower!
I used to think that in order to call myself “a writer,” I had to be published or had to be actively querying agents or had to earn some sort of income from the writing. But recently, since I’ve completed the fantasy novel I’d been working on, my idea of what a writer is has changed. I have learned that I was so very wrong.
Writing has HANDS DOWN been one of the best personal decisions I have ever made. I mean, imagine getting to read your absolute favorite novel FOR HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS. Imagine getting to live in your favorite book and understanding your favorite characters so well, you know their lives outside of the story of your novel. GUYS, IT IS THE COOLES THING. And no matter what happens with my novel (which, let’s be honest has a 99.999% chance of going NOWHERE), I am so glad I decided to write it.
And it was when I realized how much I loved writing my novel that I realized that I am a writer.
a) I am a writer because I’ve written words on a page to tell a story that is completely my own creation.
b) I am a writer because when I’m carrying on with my day, my characters’ stories are churning through my head. So much so that periodically I have to stop and jot something down.
c) I am a writer because I LOVE telling stories.
So there. I’ve confessed it. I’m a writer and so very excited about it!
What makes someone a writer to you? Do you enjoy writing?
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
momknu
Brava! I like the way you described what you get from writing. Never thought of it like that.
Kel
This is such a great way to put it, Ali! And congrats again on finishing your novel! I do enjoy writing, but I haven’t written anything outside schoolwork and work work for years, so I don’t feel quite comfortable calling myself a writer at present, but hopefully that’ll change in the near future. Keep writing!
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Ali
Thank you Kel! And I hope you are able to get to writing (for funsies) again soon (:
Kat Impossible
I am not published either, but I consider myself a writer for the same reason as you do. I am happy to see you did this little announcement post 😀
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Ali
Thank you Kat!! It feels good to sort of declare it XD
ShootingStarsMag
Yay! And seriously – if you write, you’re a writer. That’s all you need. I consider myself a part-time writer in the sense that I need to get back into writing my fiction. I have ideas though, so I’m one step closer. I have written an entire manuscript though and tried to query it back in the day. I’d love to get to that point again!
-Lauren
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Ali
i am SO NERVOUS to query. It feels like such a crapshoot! i’m jealous you have the experience under your belt. I hope you get there again soon, too (: