When someone calls you a writer, do you reply, “Oh, not really, no I’m not really a writer,” or, “I’m not much of a writer…”
Do you hear that coming out of your mouth? Let’s break down this old story together and get you moving forward with confidence on your projects.
Over the last year I’ve slowly and gradually come to claim being a writer. I even made a youtube video about it months ago. It’s called 4 Steps to Call Yourself a Writer.
Since then I’ve begun to realize how prevalent this problem really is among my friends, new and old, who like to write.
It’s almost universal–it seems like every pen scribbler I meet lately feels uncomfortable claiming the label of writer.
You reading this may not even realize this is you!
Maybe you think of yourself as a blogger, or you just journal or you just write for business, or you just send 100s of emails and texts every week.
Now, I believe in the Law of Attraction, so I recognize that maybe there is still a piece of me learning this lesson. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I am seeing this problem in others–it must be a part of myself, too. There is still a part of me choking on the label “writer” as I near publication for the first time.
I also believe that the easiest thing to teach is what I have most recently learned. So I’m revisiting this topic, today, for you, and for me.
After 15 years of creative writing, getting As on my papers, compliments from my teachers and friends and others, even winning an essay scholarship, or having a shelf full of journals or 2 manuscripts, 100s of blogposts, you wouldn’t think it would be so hard for me to call myself a writer.
I hope by sharing this with you, you can see that this fear to claim the label of writer is not a logical one– it’s irrational.
Because how many writer police are really out there banging wannabes around with batons for thinking too much of themselves? I haven’t met any, yet.
Maybe I’ve met a few pretentious snobs that turn their nose at this writer or that but honestly there are buttheads every where and no matter what you do, someone is not going to like your writing. That doesn’t mean you are not a writer.
In fact if you look at most of the hottest books, they tend to have 5 stars AND 1 stars. Great writers connects individuals together, and that is easiest when you are targeting certain people specifically–inevitably alienating some.
Praise is a dangerous thing–all those good words from my teachers gave me very high expectations of myself. For 10 years my creativity became paralyzed, because I was so paralyzed by the need to get everything perfect. I only managed to slug it out for graded papers with deadlines– my own work was nonexistant.
There’s something that you need to know about “writer.” It’s a label and a box that you can choose to use for your purposes rather than the other way around. You don’t need to be afraid to dip your foot in.
Because what “real” writers know is that the golden road to good writing begins with a heap of crap. A HEAP of crap. Pages and pages and pages and yes maybe a gem falls out occasionally, but you only get there with effort and time.
Give yourself time to hone your craft. Don’t assume that calling yourself a writer is claiming to be a master.
Call yourself a writer and let others. They will remind you to get back on that crappy road to find your gold. And then back again! Forever.
Do you need to work on the stories you are writing or living?
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I’m a certified ethical intuitive reader, a writer, and a coach. It’s my job to inspire you, heal those old stories and write a beautiful world into being. Let’s go!
