WRITING|CREATIVE WRITING

4 Reasons Why You Should Start Calling Yourself a Writer

If you haven’t already

Prior to the publication of my first book, Cuban Immigrant, and Londoner, an acquaintance of mine asked me: “So, how does it feel to finally become a writer?” To which I replied: “I’m a writer. I’ve been a writer for a number of years.”

For some reason, this person had not factored in my contributions to newspapers and magazines, my time as a blogger, and my music, food, and book reviews (some of which had earned me some dosh).

There’s this belief that one is only a writer if one is published. As in book-published. Anything other than that and you’re lumped in a different category: journalist, columnist, blogger, anything but the word you want to use to describe what you are: a writer.

It should come as no surprise, then, that many writers suffer from negative self-talk. Well, I’m here to tell you, my fellow scribes, that it’s time you took the bull by the horns and… well.. crafted a story out of your encounter.

Fear of being rejected

This is perhaps the most subjective-dependent kind of objective apprehension we suffer from. Why the dichotomy subjective-objective? Because rejection feels as if we lack the wherewithal to become a writer. The refusal is subjective because publication is. We hardly ever know what goes through the minds of editors after we submit our pieces. We can only imagine. Whereas the dread of the wait is pretty real.

In my opinion, it’d be better to focus on what’s within our reach. Read and re-read the publication’s guidelines. Is it a topic you’re keen on or familiar with? Is there a minimum-maximum word limit you need to be aware of? You can reduce the chances of being snubbed by doing a bit of extra research.

The publishing world is not a monolith

Traditional book publishing is a thing of the past. Nowadays, you have various options. Your manuscript can be picked up by a big publishing house (well done, you), or it can also be scooped up by an indie outlet. You can also self-publish and, thus, get rid of the middle man, as it were.

When it comes to what is considered “good”, I go back to my previous point, it’s all subjective. The key factor is that you need to trust your writer’s instincts and believe in your work. Otherwise, how can an agent, editor, and publisher believe in it if you don’t?

Sadly, we have no control over what the big publishing houses (Penguin and Faber come to mind) are looking for. However, there’s one element any publisher worth their salt will seek out: honesty in the writer’s work.

Ultimately, whichever way you choose to get your book published, remember, you are a writer.

Is your work worthy?

It is my opinion that all art, from pottery to cinematography, from songs to books, have an intrinsic value. That is, they make up the cultural heritage we human beings share with each other. A cultural heritage that goes back millennia and that will hopefully carry on long after we’re gone.

However, in a money-minded system like the one we live in, creativity is measured in sales. This can sidetrack writers who are keener to invest on long-lasting works that may not necessarily have a commercial angle. This also generates a two-tier system: best-selling, popular authors versus “serious”, difficult ones (whatever that means). Interestingly, it’s the writers in the former group that get it in the neck for being too mainstream, as if Jilly Cooper’s novels were less worthy because they’re less likely to be Booker Prize-nominated.

It’s this type of environment that can wreak havoc with up-and-coming writers. What should you choose? Money and fame, or critic-backed quality and awards?

Neither, I’m afraid. Even JK Rowling had no idea how the Harry Potter books would pan out. However, Rowling kept on writing, and kept on sending her manuscripts out. Don’t give up. Remember what you are: a writer.

What? You mean you’re a writer? Have I read anything you’ve written?

Maybe you have, maybe you haven’t. All the same, I’m not writing for you. If you want to read me, you’ll have to look my stuff up.

Part of what makes us writers is self-determination and self-confidence. Let’s face it. A lot of people think that writing is easy. You get it? It’s wri-ting! We can all do it. Look, I’m doing it now. Typing one word after the other. How many people in the world can do that?

On top of this, there’s the usual comment along the lines of, “If I had a few hours to spare, I. too, could write a book”. To which an eye-roll would be the appropriate answer.

Writing is a labour-intensive, time-consuming creative process. It’s a craft-honing activity that goes beyond creative writing workshops and weekends away at a writers’ retreat. It’s where the personal and fictitious come together, where we have to make a decision about when to jettison the former in favour of the latter, or vice versa. Words don’t arrive between 9am and 5pm. They arrive whenever it takes their fancy. There’s no rational or predictable way in which sentences or paragraphs will magic themselves on to the empty page. We just need to be patient.

This and all the other elements I listed above are the reasons why it’s important we call ourselves writers from the minute we put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. It helps us neutralise the fear of being rejected and become confident in our work. We owe it to ourselves. We, writers.

You can buy me a coffee here.