Comments on: “I’m A Writer”–How to Say It With Confidence http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/ Guidance for writers who struggle to get started Thu, 17 May 2012 18:58:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: How Poetry can Inspire Your Writing http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-2717 How Poetry can Inspire Your Writing Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:33:09 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-2717 [...] of us who claim the title “writer” have dry spells when the words just won’t come or times when the day’s writing is so [...] [...] of us who claim the title “writer” have dry spells when the words just won’t come or times when the day’s writing is so [...]

]]> By: Karen Sills http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-2715 Karen Sills Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:07:15 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-2715 Hi it's me again! I f anybody would like to read my work heres my link: http://www.bookie.com/storiestotell AND HERES MY SISTER'S LINK: http://www.bookise.com/imagination101 Hi it’s me again! I f anybody would like to read my work heres my link:
http://www.bookie.com/storiestotell
AND HERES MY SISTER’S LINK:
http://www.bookise.com/imagination101

]]> By: Kathy Sills http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-2713 Kathy Sills Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:36:49 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-2713 I WANT TO BE A WRITER SOOOOOO BAD, BUT I HAVE BECOME DISCOURAGED!!! I'M NOT SURE IF I'M GOOD ENOUGH. I HAVE WORTE SOME STORIES ON BOOKSIE AND HAVE GOTTON GOOD COMMENTS, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S JUST BEING NICE OR THE TRUTH. COULD YOU GO READ SOME OF MY WORK! GIVE ME SOME POINTERS ON HOW TO GET BETTER? MY GRAMMER STINKS!!! THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!!!! I WANT TO BE A WRITER SOOOOOO BAD, BUT I HAVE BECOME DISCOURAGED!!! I’M NOT SURE IF I’M GOOD ENOUGH. I HAVE WORTE SOME STORIES ON BOOKSIE AND HAVE GOTTON GOOD COMMENTS, BUT I’M NOT SURE IF IT’S JUST BEING NICE OR THE TRUTH. COULD YOU GO READ SOME OF MY WORK! GIVE ME SOME POINTERS ON HOW TO GET BETTER? MY GRAMMER STINKS!!!

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!!!!

]]> By: Karen Sills http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-2712 Karen Sills Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:29:50 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-2712 I would really love it if you could read some of my work and leave a comment. I want to say I'm a writer, BUT grammer get's in my way. I love to write and make up stories, BUT am I good? I don't no. I would love to have something published someday, But am I good enough? Thank You!! I would really love it if you could read some of my work and leave a comment. I want to say I’m a writer, BUT grammer get’s in my way. I love to write and make up stories, BUT am I good? I don’t no. I would love to have something published someday, But am I good enough? Thank You!!

]]> By: Laura Lee Bloor http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-798 Laura Lee Bloor Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:46:40 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-798 I'll say it loud and proud with you! I'm a writer! I’ll say it loud and proud with you! I’m a writer!

]]> By: Erik Hare http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-674 Erik Hare Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:47:41 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-674 I happen to believe that writing is not about the author or the author's intent, but the connection between the reader and the writer. After all, reading is writing as surely as writing is reading. If you sit back and watch, you can gain an understanding of people that helps make those connections. I have many stories to tell, but they are an immeasurable fraction of the stories that are out there. Let the readers write before I write for the readers, I say. Staying incognito makes that a lot easier. I happen to believe that writing is not about the author or the author’s intent, but the connection between the reader and the writer. After all, reading is writing as surely as writing is reading.

If you sit back and watch, you can gain an understanding of people that helps make those connections. I have many stories to tell, but they are an immeasurable fraction of the stories that are out there. Let the readers write before I write for the readers, I say. Staying incognito makes that a lot easier.

]]> By: jblan http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-654 jblan Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:39:09 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-654 @Sandra S. Richardson You don't have to be published to be a writer. A writer is someone who writes, period. An AUTHOR is someone who's published. Big difference. :-) I say, don't worry about what people think. It's not about what they think, it's about what you think. If you write anything at all--fan fiction or not--then you are a writer in my book. Keep at it, and thanks for reading! @Sandra S. Richardson You don’t have to be published to be a writer. A writer is someone who writes, period. An AUTHOR is someone who’s published. Big difference. :-) I say, don’t worry about what people think. It’s not about what they think, it’s about what you think. If you write anything at all–fan fiction or not–then you are a writer in my book. Keep at it, and thanks for reading!

]]> By: Sandra S Richardson http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-644 Sandra S Richardson Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:28:53 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-644 I hold back because I'm not published. Say you're a writer and the next question is, "What's the title of your book?" No book. "What magazines have you been in?" No magazines. If I say I've written over 100 fanfiction stories that are posted online, that is looked upon as what it is - a hobby. When I get published, then I'll more readily speak up and say, "I'm a writer." Sandra I hold back because I’m not published. Say you’re a writer and the next question is, “What’s the title of your book?”
No book.
“What magazines have you been in?”
No magazines.
If I say I’ve written over 100 fanfiction stories that are posted online, that is looked upon as what it is – a hobby.
When I get published, then I’ll more readily speak up and say, “I’m a writer.”

Sandra

]]> By: jblan http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-632 jblan Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:41:42 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-632 @Deb Thanks! @Erik Hare Why do you like sitting back and watching? What do you gain from it? @Funkidivagirl Wow! I'd think it would be the other way around. Most of the writers I know would call themselves a writer before they call themselves a blogger because they think bloggers are people who make money from their blogs. Interesting that you feel the opposite way. @Brittany First off, I commend you for being so young and so focused. You're going places, trust me. Secondly, and I know this is advice you probably get a lot and ignore, but work hard on not caring what people think. I spent most of my life caring, and it made it harder for me as an adult. If you can learn now, in your young age, that what people think doesn't matter, you'll live a happier life. :-) @andrewtoynbee I think you're right. I think oftentimes people don't view writing as a real job because it's something you can do anywhere--sitting on your couch, at a coffee shop, in a hotel room while you're vacationing. People see "real" jobs as ones that you have to go somewhere for and where your time is being monitored, etc. I don't know about you, but I love being a writer. And I love being able to do my job anywhere I want to. Definitely a plus you don't have if you're a doctor or a lawyer. :-) @Deb Thanks!

@Erik Hare Why do you like sitting back and watching? What do you gain from it?

@Funkidivagirl Wow! I’d think it would be the other way around. Most of the writers I know would call themselves a writer before they call themselves a blogger because they think bloggers are people who make money from their blogs. Interesting that you feel the opposite way.

@Brittany First off, I commend you for being so young and so focused. You’re going places, trust me. Secondly, and I know this is advice you probably get a lot and ignore, but work hard on not caring what people think. I spent most of my life caring, and it made it harder for me as an adult. If you can learn now, in your young age, that what people think doesn’t matter, you’ll live a happier life. :-)

@andrewtoynbee I think you’re right. I think oftentimes people don’t view writing as a real job because it’s something you can do anywhere–sitting on your couch, at a coffee shop, in a hotel room while you’re vacationing. People see “real” jobs as ones that you have to go somewhere for and where your time is being monitored, etc. I don’t know about you, but I love being a writer. And I love being able to do my job anywhere I want to. Definitely a plus you don’t have if you’re a doctor or a lawyer. :-)

]]> By: andrewtoynbee http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/09/im-a-writer-how-to-say-it-with-confidence/comment-page-1/#comment-630 andrewtoynbee Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:20:19 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=790#comment-630 I have been writing since I was at primary (junior) school and have had exactly the same responses as above. I think people see writing as non-constructive. Tell them you're a mechanic or a builder and their head will fill with images of cars, trucks and buildings. Tell them you're a nurse and they will envisage hospitals. But tell someone that you're a writer...will they imagine you on your sofa with your favourite laptop/notebook or are they likely to envisage you scribbling away with a worn-out quill on faded parchment whilst bent over some Dickensian desk? People can't cope with 'writer'. To them it's not a 'proper' job. Maybe it's our fault for being non-specific...if we said 'I write a column for the Sunday Times' (for example) or 'I write novels' that may set their minds to thinking about newspapers or bookshops (which is where we'd like them to head for, after all!) Don't try to change the people...change what you tell them. But be proud that you ARE a writer. And next year...I want to stop being a writer and become an AUTHOR. I wonder if that'll make any difference? I have been writing since I was at primary (junior) school and have had exactly the same responses as above. I think people see writing as non-constructive. Tell them you’re a mechanic or a builder and their head will fill with images of cars, trucks and buildings. Tell them you’re a nurse and they will envisage hospitals.
But tell someone that you’re a writer…will they imagine you on your sofa with your favourite laptop/notebook or are they likely to envisage you scribbling away with a worn-out quill on faded parchment whilst bent over some Dickensian desk?
People can’t cope with ‘writer’. To them it’s not a ‘proper’ job.
Maybe it’s our fault for being non-specific…if we said ‘I write a column for the Sunday Times’ (for example) or ‘I write novels’ that may set their minds to thinking about newspapers or bookshops (which is where we’d like them to head for, after all!)
Don’t try to change the people…change what you tell them. But be proud that you ARE a writer.
And next year…I want to stop being a writer and become an AUTHOR.

I wonder if that’ll make any difference?

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