I think I started calling myself a writer when I started writing in community (attending a regular writing group). I like to introduce myself with the title "hobbyist writer" - feels more low pressure. lol
Really great post; love the idea of sharing lessons learned. I definitely did this also and sometimes find myself slipping back into the habit of describing myself as someone "who wants to be a writer" even though I am one. I was lucky enough to be part of a 3-day writers course with Scottish Youth Theatre back in 2009. The writer running the course addressed the room of "would-be" writers and told us that each and everyone of us were writers; and to shed the "aspiring" from our description. This was a seminal moment for me as a writer.
I think I started calling myself a writer when I started writing in community (attending a regular writing group). I like to introduce myself with the title "hobbyist writer" - feels more low pressure. lol
I've self-published a novel, and I still feel funny about it.
That’s an excellent distinction.
Really great post; love the idea of sharing lessons learned. I definitely did this also and sometimes find myself slipping back into the habit of describing myself as someone "who wants to be a writer" even though I am one. I was lucky enough to be part of a 3-day writers course with Scottish Youth Theatre back in 2009. The writer running the course addressed the room of "would-be" writers and told us that each and everyone of us were writers; and to shed the "aspiring" from our description. This was a seminal moment for me as a writer.