Wednesday, March 6, 2013

IWSG- Am I a REAL Writer?!

It's the first Wednesday of the month!  And that means that it's time for Alex J. Cavanaugh's:

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time 
 ---

Claiming the title of writer when you haven't been published in anything but small press magazines is tough business, guys.  (I feel I need to note that small press magazines are freaking awesome-- but unless all of your friends/family/acquaintances are literary: they have never heard of the publications-- Especially online journals!)  

Upon explaining to people that I'm a writer, they always ask me what I'm writing/what I've written.  That is then followed by a slew of other questions: Am I published?  Do I have an agent? Why don't I just release an e-book?  etc. etc.

When I answer no to these questions--  I can tell they are thinking (and some have downright said) "How can you be a writer if you aren't published?"

Fudge.  As if being a writer isn't scary enough... allowing yourself to be vulnerable with every stroke of the keyboard... But, then constantly worrying if you are a REAL writer-- ugh!  Exhausting!

I have yet to query a manuscript-- nor have I begun to look for an agent.  I participated in GUTGAA (hosted by the lovely Deanna Barnhart) a few months back to get a feel for the entire process.  Hopefully, if Deanna hosts it again- I will have something ready!  I also think I'm going to participate in Camp NaNo in April (and July?  We'll see)-- I might cheat and use one of my 500 unfinished manuscripts, but it will be the swift kick in the behind that I need.

 

Well said, Mr. Orwell.  Well said!  And-- all this exhausting work makes me a writer, right?  Not all of the fancy titles?! 

16 comments:

  1. Wait a sec, you HAVE manuscript ready? What are you waiting for? Up and at them, Azia!
    And I love the idea of the 'insecure writer's support group'. I doubt there's any other kind of writer. :)

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    1. read: UNFINISHED manuscript haha I know-- you are right-- I need to put some pressure on myself and stop being so damn laid back!

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  2. If you've got a polished manuscript you should definitely dive in! It is a roller coaster ride, let me tell you!

    At the very least test the waters. There is a whole lot of fun going on right now at WriteOnCon forums -- everyone's polishing their queries for a contest, and then Brenda Drake's Pitch Madness in March too! DO IT!

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    1. I do not have a polished one... yet... I don't know what realistic goal would be-- but I'm hoping by mid-summer to have something worth pitching? I have never heard of Pitch Madness-- that is awesome! Thanks for the heads up!

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  3. Well said indeed! I'm a writer because I write. I love the online contests because they are a way to test your manuscript before submitting. You can get a feel for what agents are looking for, how your query falls in line with your story etc, before formally sending stuff out. It is a great learning opportunity! Good luck!

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    1. I have yet to enter an online contest... that is a brilliant idea!!! Thank you!

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  4. The way I figure, if you write, then you're a writer. It doesn't require being published. That is a goal, not a title. So keep on doing what you love and keep on calling yourself a writer. People call me an author now that I'm published and while that IS great and I do enjoy it, I still call myself a writer, exactly like you.

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    1. "That's a goal- not a title." That's going down in my notebook-- one of the many things to remember each day. Thank you for that!

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  5. I wish you well with your manuscripts! 500 of them!! Outstanding! I had better get busy! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, they are helpful to me!

    sandysanderellasmusings

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    1. I *may* have slightly exaggerated the exact number :) haha

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  6. Do you write? Then you are a writer. It's as simple (and complicated) as that. ;)

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    1. I love that! As simple and as complicated... yes!!

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  7. Isn't it funny how we make all of these designations on things. Why is writing any different from running? If you run, you are a runner even if you have never run a race, won a race, or won a gold medal. Runners run. Writers write. If you write, you are a writer. End of story. And writing and publishing are two very different things. Good luck with your writing!

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  8. We all have to start somewhere. I started out as a blogger who dabbled in writing. Over the years I have transitioned into a writer who dabbles in blogging.

    And for those naysayers who state that you're not a real writer because you're not "published" (i.e. novel) but published in a literary journal, you can look them straight in they eye and say, "yes I am".

    A literary journal is, in my opinion, the toughest market to crack, so if you can get published there, you can get published anywhere.

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  9. I really struggled to refer to myself as a 'writer' until I held a paperback anthology in my hand in which I had a short story published.

    You just need to embrace it, and never list your publication credits with the word "only" at the beginning. Be proud. Whatever your achievements, they're probably greater than the person asking you about them. Remember; even JK Rowling was an unpublished writer once.

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  10. If you write, then you are a writer!
    And if you're in a literary journal or other magazine, then you are a published writer, which means author in my book.

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