At what point do you begin identifying yourself to others as a writer? Is it when you have something published? Is it when someone else reads your work or when you begin making money from your writing?
I recently read an online article on becoming an author and one of the tips was to describe yourself as a writer. It was one that I knew that I should take to heart, but would find difficult. Perhaps it is growing up in a capitalist environment, but even though I have had a few things published, I still have trouble identifying myself as a writer. Probably because my last check from PublishAmerica was for $1.50, not exactly commercial success.
When I decided a couple of months ago to work on my writing full-time, I got a piece of advice from an area sports writer whose blog I enjoyed reading. It was simple, start small. His first assignment was not covering the local NHL team. It was high school sports. You work hard and slowly make your way up the ladder, the same as in any other profession. It was advice that I took to heart.
Recently, my husband purchased a laptop for me. When I balked at the price tag, he remarked that it was my profession and I needed a good one. The gift will be incredibly helpful to me and I love it, but I found the comment to be much more meaningful since it helped me come to the realization I've been ducking. I am a writer.
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