How to Know If You’re a True Writer
5 realisations that took me almost hitting a lamppost to believe
I’ve been a professional writer for four years. And have only quite recently started owning this title — and believing it within myself.
I know that for so many writers starting to put themselves out there for the world to see — and judge —, they too feel like an imposter when making the bold claim to be a “writer”.
Every piece of my writing, whether personal or professional, begins with introspection. Examining my own conscious thoughts and feelings allows me to tap into fresh ideas lurking beneath the surface and keep my mental state in check.
I usually do this in a controlled environment; tucked in beneath my laptop in my little home office snug. But the following realisations hit me just as hard as the lamppost I almost walked into would have, had I not glanced up from my phone screen.
Everything becomes a story
Making my way down a busy street in town the other day, I couldn’t help but spot a man across the street throwing a few stones at an open window above a shop front.
Without appearing too nosey, I casually dotted my eyes at the man, his surroundings, the window above, and the onlookers who were beginning to stare at him. I began acting out little scenarios as to what the man was doing, playing into the mystery behind the unknown context.
This little people-watching practice then led me to open my phone and start note-taking about how writing inspiration can be found in such everyday events. I found myself asking “how could I make this into a story?”, and instantly tapping into ideas for a new article.
True writers have the gift of translating everyday experiences into interesting and valuable content for others.
When such inspiration comes from merely living, everything becomes potential for a story. One idea leads to another and so on until you even find yourself glued to your phone screen whilst still in motion…
You take action to inspiration
…It was the moment after writing the question “how could I make this into a story?”, that I glanced up and found my face inches from a tall iron lamppost. I had become so involved in my endeavour, I had overlooked my own footing and could have landed face-first into a lamppost.
True writers get a gut feeling when lightning has struck. And when it does — even when inopportune — they take action by making notes because they are that infatuated with their craft. And even stop outside the train station with bags of shopping because the idea was too important for them to explore that they couldn’t risk forgetting about it once they got home.
Flow states can happen almost anywhere
When you’re doing what you love — and are clearly meant to be doing — it feels like you have suddenly shifted into your own lane. You find yourself focusing so intensely while you work, that your immediate surroundings might as well exist as a mere blur.
This is a very powerful condition called ‘flow state’, which once engaged can allow you to work extremely productively without the need to force yourself to work hard to achieve the results — and even feel happy in the process.
To me, sitting at my desk, with a piping hot coffee, light streaming through my window, laptop open and gentle radio playing can induce my state of flow. But I’m also proof that in the right circumstances, it can materialise within minutes where it’s least expected.
You crave alone time
For writers, being alone to hone your craft is a blessing. And in a direct way, it allows you to express your living form of art.
This sounds a bit ‘woo woo’, but hear me out.
You are the artist: the mastermind determining each action. The paint is your life: the colours you choose will reflect your identity. Pencils/brushes are your tools: your skills to be sharpened and cleaned. The world is your easel: your ultimate platform to express yourself.
True writers want to practise whenever possible because it satiates their desire to improve. They may even identify it as their life’s purpose, in which case, completing small personal writing goals can attribute to their overall fulfilment.
If it is generally difficult to be alone, this desire can easily become a craving. The evenings and weekends dedicated to honing their craft start feeling shorter, and the typical workweek feels unbearably long as they are without it. And if freelancing, it might even be difficult to even distinguish between days anymore.
Sharing becomes necessity
From my four years of experience writing professionally, it’s become clear that any form of writer possesses three fundamental traits:
- Their sponge-like minds, wet with answers and knowledge.
- Their constant questioning of how best to communicate with them.
- Their insufferable need to share them.
Social journalism is starting to crawl out of the digital membrane and enable a mass network of information sharing. Those who once thought writing as a profession was so beyond their reach have platforms to share personal experiences, reach wider audiences and prove their skills to potential paying clients.
Not everyone receives information in the same way. A true writer can see the beauty behind reimagining otherwise worn-out/poorly written content to make it more consumable to its audience. The plight of writers and content creators to repurpose and simplify such information allows for greater ease of access to those who might not have fully grasped it.
On a personal note, I do believe that the only thing separating writers from content creators is a title — and maybe a book publishing. My hope is that one day the line drawn between the two will become a scar and we can realise that the modern-day writer embodies both: creativity and dedication to fulfilling their audiences.
Final thoughts
I hope that sharing these realisations will help ground you if currently underestimate yourself as a writer, or even doubt whether you are one at all.
How many do you identify with?
No matter what your writing style or chosen niche is, the need to write comes from wanting to fulfil personal needs or express ideas within you. It shouldn’t be anyone else’s choice as to whether you act on them but your own.
Here is a list of mindsets that help me remember that I am a writer, despite the niggling self-doubt and the negative talk from others. I truly hope it helps you to persevere through your own adversity.
You are a writer if…
- You truly know you are.
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