National Blog Posting Month

Am I really a writer?

Hi everyone

I'm a pediatrician but also have been writing a parenting column.I want to write more and have signed up for Institute of Children's Lit course and have been doing more of my blogs. I can write for hours a day but still don't consider myself a writer!! That would seem too narcissistic. I'm a little nervous too that someone would call me a big ol faker. Kinda like the time I first said Hi I'm Dr. Cason. I had to stifle the snicker and edit out the just kidding.

I can't wait to see what you all written and what advice you have to give.
What did it take to consider yourself a writer? Money, energy, time?

Sheila

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Started Nov 13 2007 by:

Sheila Cason: View Discussions »

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Permalink Reply by kate copsey Nov 14 2007

Calling yourself a writer is one of those labels that cause panic in so many people. I don't feel like a writer either, but I do a weekly parenting/education/home article for the local press plus some freelance stuff. I gave out my newspaper business card yesterday, and the gal said - 'oh your a reporter'! I hadn't actually noticed that bit - i just checked the phone numbers and that the name was spelt right!. But I suppose that means that I really am a writer in someones eyes, anyway - the one that cuts the check did the cards, so thats fine with me.
However, being a writer does mean different things to different people. Some people discount business writing, other want to be fiction writers and discount all the articles they wrote. Some think you should just be published by a third party, others think the label only applies to being published for money. The very basic definintion though would be that you are writing and thus are a writer.
Being a writer though will doubtless pay considerably less than a pediatrician!

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