I love Nathan Bransford. I just can’t get away from his blog! Seriously. Specifically this most recent post of his.
I’m not sure if I ever explored this issue; but I’m sure many would-be aspiring writers or even dreamers out there have asked the question:
When does one become a writer?
What a phenomenal question! …”When does one become a writer?” What defines a ‘writer’? Do you need a trash basket of crumpled up pieces of paper to show that you are one? Do you need to be addicted to absinthe or alcohol and secluded in a little cottage with the stench of seawater and burnt rubber behind your ears? Are we antisocial creatures of comfort, only both burdened and fondled by the imaginations we carry and mutate with our diseased minds, hence the unforgettable, unusual, inexplicable and resoundingly genius formations of countless stories and words? Do I need to do more crunches to define my flabby mid-section?
(sighs) Questions, questions, questions. Such questions.
Agent Nathan brought up some possible answers–finishing a novel, writing for a certain number of years, deciding that it’s what you want to do, having a literary agent (which I’m still waiting on answers, aggravatingly enough), first-time publication.
And an even bigger, more enigmatic question–what defines an “author”?
I know many of you are burdened by the thoughts of many bestsellers, the fame, the fortune, the praise. We look at J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer and Dan Brown and Stephen King, and we can only dream of reaching that level of genius. Hell, William Shakespeare is more timeless than any of them probably will ever be. What a dream it is–to be a writer–an “author”.
Well, let me just say–without a doubt–that I am a writer. I am an AUTHOR. Here’s my take on it. Absorb it if you must. Just keep in mind that this is, indeed, another ranting from yours truly. I suggest protein pills. I tend to wear people out with my words. You know it. You love it….
I looked up the term “author”, first of all. It’s very interesting, actually. There are a couple definitions to it:
1 a: one that originates or creates : source <software authors> <film authors> <the author of this crime>
2: the writer of a literary work (as a book)
I only look up “author” first because it’s definitely broader than “writer”. You’ll notice, too, that in that second definition, the term “writer” is used. I find it funny that we tend to think “author” is actually more concrete than “writer”. It turns out it’s not. Not at all.
An “author” is one who creates. Originates.
This, of course, doesn’t mean that any one ‘writer’ has to finish a book or be actually WRITING a book or any piece for that matter. Writing isn’t just the physical act. It’s what happens inside your head–the brainstorming. We think of a story, a premise, characters–all of it–we’re creating. We’re beginning.
That tells me straight out that you don’t need to have been writing for a certain amount of time before you’re labeled as a ‘writer’ or ‘author’. You don’t need to have finished a novel. You don’t need to have even started writing anything. Of course, when we ‘begin’ something, specifically writing, the inevitable outcome is that we actually, well…start writing! But it’s not necessarily required to actually write for you to consider yourself a ‘writer’. Or an ‘author’.
You’ll notice, too, that the definition has nothing to do with a career aspect. It’s not about money. It’s about creation. Deciding what you want to do with your life isn’t the same as doing it in your life already. You already are WRITING! You just haven’t decided if you want to develop it into some kind of career or profession or something more than a hobby. Yes, even if it’s a hobby, I believe you are what you do! A writer. An author. The basis is that you are creating something.
Having a literary agent doesn’t matter either! (Although, seriously, it freakin’ helps!) Purpose for creating something isn’t necessarily for someone else to experience. In fact, from a romantic standpoint, we can say that us writers only write for our own enjoyment, our own passion, our peace of mind, therapy, escape. We’re like fantasy warriors of our own creation, escaping the frailties and mundaneness of the real world. So romantic, the thought! Who cares if a literary agent looks at it or not!
Likewise, that leads me to the fallacy that publication is when the definition rings true. How wrong that is. Published writer or unpublished writer–I don’t care. You’re writing. You’re creating. Fuck the world.
Now that I’ve dissected each of Nathan’s possible answers, one by one, I’ll ask that question again: when does one become a writer….
Okay, so here’s my answer. It might be a strange one, though. Knowing all these truths (by my opinion, of course) of what it means to be a writer and/or author, it’s pretty simple. At least I think it is.
You read my posts on my blog. I’m sure you’ve bought a few books in your life and read them and enjoyed them. You’ve fantasized, dreamt, lived with those characters. You’ve absorbed the words of those authors you love. Guess what–every word I’ve written so far, every letter I’ve used, every moment you’re reading this blog right now–
IT MAKES YOU
A FULL-FLEDGED WRITER AT HEART.
Hands down, simple as that.
You blink, you think I’ve lost my mind, you think I’m crazy. I am. But not necessarily about this. Think about it.
When was the last time you heard about an author/writer–even a not so famous one–who has never picked up a book? Or read a poem? Or read an article? Or read anything? Name me one human being who writes but never reads! If you consider yourself a writer, you’re most likely probably perusing my blog right now. You’re probably reading these words right now. If not, you’re reading someone else’s blog! Or a book. Or an anthology. Or something.
You are a writer because you love to read. And I mean…loooooooooove…to read. You read stories, you read words–because you love them. That makes you a writer. Hands down. Don’t forget that. It’s not something you can change. In fact, if I had a choice in the matter, I’d embrace it. In fact, I have. Countless times.
I am a writer and an author in every sense of the word. I’ve been one since I learned how to write with a pencil or pen. I’ve been one since I read my first children’s book all on my own, with no one’s help–all because I felt a huge need to read. I’ve been one because I had that insatiable desire to imagine. And believe in things that only I can see. No one else can see. Just me.
So I say Know Thyself: and I ask: what are you?
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