"Writers write. So, if you write, you're a writer." That's usually what I hear being given as the response when someone very new to writing asks someone who's been doing it a while whether they're a "real" writer yet. And, that's... an OK assessment of what it means to be a writer. But it's also a colossal oversimplification that doesn't really tell the person what they wanted to know.
When I hear other people wondering out loud whether or not they're real writers, I think they're asking the wrong question because there are better ones out there. Am I a professional writer or an amateur? Do I even want to be a professional writer? And if I do want to be a professional writer, am I a serious writer? There are no wrong answers to questions like these. There aren't any wrong reasons for writing, either.
But if you do take your writing seriously and hope to make it into more than just a fun way to kill some time someday, there are realizations that will happen along the way to let you know you're turning a corner. Here are some of the ones that clued me in to the fact that I was totally getting warm.
1. You're willing and able to write when you don't feel like it.
One of the most significant differences I've noticed between "a writer" and "someone who occasionally writes" is writers don't wait for inspiration to strike. They actually get that even the most passionate creators aren't always going to feel like it every single time they sit down with a mind to beast some words. God knows I don't! But I write in some way, shape, or form nearly every day regardless, even if all I write is a private journal entry.
Regardless of where you are in your personal writing journey, consistency is critical. It's how you get better when you're first starting out, and it's how you stay on task when you're ready to start publishing your things, taking on professional assignments, or both. Serious writers treat their writing like a job, meaning they show up and show out whether or not they're in the mood.
2. You're constantly looking to learn and improve.
The most successful writers I know aren't sitting on their laurels, thinking they know all there is to know about writing. They will be the first to tell you they still have a lot to learn and that they strive continually to get better at what they do. They read. They take masterclasses. They have people they admire, and they pay attention to what those people are doing so they can evolve. They know that there's always room for improvement. Even a great writer can always be better.
I earn a full-time living via my writing, and that's been the case for a very long time at this point. I'm willing to share what I know with other writers to make their own journeys a little easier on them, but I by no means feel like I've "made it" as a writer yet. There's still a lot I haven't accomplished yet, and I can assure you I spend a shit ton of time and energy trying to learn more of what I don't know.
3. You're not fazed by other people's negativity.
I've known many sweet summer children over the years who want to be successful writers because they think it will make everyone like them. That's not something that happens; I don't care who you are or what you write about. Yeah, some people will think you're the tits and praise just about every word you put out there. But any writer who's gotten anywhere with what they're doing attracts their share of trolls and haters, too.
I have literally never had a piece of writing take off without also attracting at least some negativity. Some people don't like my point of view and feel the need to write me a novel in response to make sure I know just how wrong I am. I'm a female writer of color, so I've been mansplained and whitesplained to more times than I can count. Some people just plain don't like my attitude or the look on my face. At some point a really long time ago, that sort of thing stopped bothering me because I realized it just comes with the territory. I also began to see it for what it is -- a sign that I'm doing pretty well.
4. You take direction well and can handle rejection.
There comes a time in most writers' lives when they want to take their writing to the next level. By this, I mean they want to start taking on clients, see their work published by someone other than themselves, or otherwise accomplish something that requires getting someone else to agree that their writing is worthwhile. That's not going to happen unless you can handle rejection, take direction from editors and clients, or both.
I don't care how good you are at writing or how experienced. You're going to hear "no" a lot because nobody's writing is a fit for everybody. And yeah, it will probably hurt, especially at first. But serious writers get that it's all a part of the process. Just keep shopping your work around until you find it the right home or an editor who's willing to work with you. Listen to editors when they offer you direction, and be courteous without exception -- even if the other person isn't being so courteous with you.
5. You don't live and die by what your family thinks of your writing.
If you're writing to try to prove something to your family, you need to hear something. You're wasting your damn time. If they don't get it now, they're probably still not going to get it when and if you ever reach your goals. My mother still doesn't see me as a real writer. She doesn't even see me as employed. This is despite the fact that I run a whole-ass copywriting business and have also published multiple personal pieces that brought in thousands of dollars. Add to that the fact that she's elderly and dependent on me for a lot at this point in her life, so my writing is quite literally what puts food in her mouth.
Now, I can admit that that sucks. It always sucks when parents or other family members don't respect (or even acknowledge) what you do. But it doesn't affect how passionate I am about writing, and it hasn't diminished my desire to do it for a living. Words, language, writing, and self-expression are such massive parts of who I am. I wouldn't feel whole without them, and there's really nothing anyone else can say to change that.
6. Your writer's brain is always switched on.
One of the earliest signs that I was indeed cut out to be a writer was also something I missed about myself for years because it came so naturally to me. I thought about words, ideas, and writing nearly all the time. Even before I was sharing anything I wrote with other people, I constantly noticed things and made mental notes to write them down in my journal or maybe write a story about whatever it was later. I saw everything as potential fuel for one type of writing or another.
Now that I earn my living this way, I'm a lot more organized about this than when I was a restless teenager, but the song remains the same. I rarely to never have genuine writer's block because I'm always getting ideas. Anything from something I saw in a movie, to a conversation I had with my husband, to a meme I saw online might be the potential catalyst for a piece of writing at some point.
7. You're comfortable breaking the rules sometimes.
You can read books on how to be a successful writer and ask your peers for pointers until you're blue in the face, but eventually, you'll have to break the mold a little. You can learn about proper grammar or have someone give you advice on how to send a query to a publisher. But there are no rules you can follow to develop your unique writing voice or figure out how to translate that into writing that resonates with your readers.
Serious writers definitely go out of their way to learn how things are done and discover what all the established rules are, but they also know when to break them. Having impeccable grammar skills is terrific, but knowing when and how to break grammar rules for emphasis or artistic expression is essential, as well. And that's just one example I can point to.
Eventually, every writer develops their instincts to the point where they feel comfortable following them more often than not. What do yours tell you about your writing, your topics of choice, or the idea of making writing a more significant part of your future?
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