I don't usually introduce myself as a writer if people ask me what my job is. I only just recently started making a little money off my newsletter, but it's nowhere near enough to make a living off of it yet! However, I do sometimes bring up my writing when discussing the things I like to do and what I hope to expand on in the future. There are certain projects, mostly novels, that I've spent years working on and that I hope to be able to do something with later on. As a result, I think of myself as a writer, but I don't always tell others that I am.
Anyway, I'm glad to have discovered this newsletter, and I'll be looking forward to reading more of your posts about writing in the future. Perhaps I'll consider giving my own writing advice through my newsletter as well.
No, I do not introduce myself as a writer; just as I don’t introduce myself as a philosopher or observer of the human condition, for the reasons you elucidate. It does not pay as well as my other occupations, yet Ii would much prefer to be.known as a writer than anything else. Now how might I reconcile this without arrogation?
Meta, how do you continue to uncover these elements that bedevil us—“writers.”
No, because I'm not. I've done it in the context of my jobs only. Now retired, I would like to write for my own pleasure but I just can't make myself do it. I have nothing to say and not a clue to say even that.
Your piece made me realize that I usually put "writer" second, after "teacher". In recent years, I'll say "I teach creative writing" or something like that. When I was first turning into a writer, I'd sheepishly say that but then add my former profession--you know, so they knew I had once been a serious person. :-) Closer to having a book out or coming out (which I just made sound like it happens all the time when it most certainly does not!), I'll say "writer" first. This is so interesting, to think about the mental gymnastics we go through simply to state what could be a basic fact!
At this point I'm pretty comfortable saying I'm a writer due to my portfolio of writing on Medium, starting Substack, and other writing activities. I don't usually lead with that though. However, feel the need now to be selective with who I tell. It's a way of protecting myself.
Identifying oneself as a writer risks raising expectations that can’t be met. The next question would probably be What have you written? Similar to saying you’re a musician: the expectation is you’re actually performing and releasing music, right?
I’m reminded of the cartoon of two panhandlers on a street corner talking to a guy with a briefcase. The one is saying, “And my friend here is an observer of the passing parade” (practically the definition of a writer). The term “writer” might come across sounding like that to many: that is, not a legitimate activity.
So-called visual artists generally have an easier time of it since they have tangible objects to show off. But a writer may have only ghostly text on a screen to show for countless hours of reading, thinking, stewing, revising…
I suppose “writer” is better than today’s “creative,” with its implicit insult, ie, that everyone else is a non-creative.
Thank you for this, Meta! I’ve been working so hard to *start* with “I’m a writer,” and then list all the other stuff. It’s totally against my nature and this was a much needed reminder!
I don't usually introduce myself as a writer if people ask me what my job is. I only just recently started making a little money off my newsletter, but it's nowhere near enough to make a living off of it yet! However, I do sometimes bring up my writing when discussing the things I like to do and what I hope to expand on in the future. There are certain projects, mostly novels, that I've spent years working on and that I hope to be able to do something with later on. As a result, I think of myself as a writer, but I don't always tell others that I am.
Anyway, I'm glad to have discovered this newsletter, and I'll be looking forward to reading more of your posts about writing in the future. Perhaps I'll consider giving my own writing advice through my newsletter as well.
No, I do not introduce myself as a writer; just as I don’t introduce myself as a philosopher or observer of the human condition, for the reasons you elucidate. It does not pay as well as my other occupations, yet Ii would much prefer to be.known as a writer than anything else. Now how might I reconcile this without arrogation?
Meta, how do you continue to uncover these elements that bedevil us—“writers.”
No, because I'm not. I've done it in the context of my jobs only. Now retired, I would like to write for my own pleasure but I just can't make myself do it. I have nothing to say and not a clue to say even that.
Your piece made me realize that I usually put "writer" second, after "teacher". In recent years, I'll say "I teach creative writing" or something like that. When I was first turning into a writer, I'd sheepishly say that but then add my former profession--you know, so they knew I had once been a serious person. :-) Closer to having a book out or coming out (which I just made sound like it happens all the time when it most certainly does not!), I'll say "writer" first. This is so interesting, to think about the mental gymnastics we go through simply to state what could be a basic fact!
At this point I'm pretty comfortable saying I'm a writer due to my portfolio of writing on Medium, starting Substack, and other writing activities. I don't usually lead with that though. However, feel the need now to be selective with who I tell. It's a way of protecting myself.
Identifying oneself as a writer risks raising expectations that can’t be met. The next question would probably be What have you written? Similar to saying you’re a musician: the expectation is you’re actually performing and releasing music, right?
I’m reminded of the cartoon of two panhandlers on a street corner talking to a guy with a briefcase. The one is saying, “And my friend here is an observer of the passing parade” (practically the definition of a writer). The term “writer” might come across sounding like that to many: that is, not a legitimate activity.
So-called visual artists generally have an easier time of it since they have tangible objects to show off. But a writer may have only ghostly text on a screen to show for countless hours of reading, thinking, stewing, revising…
I suppose “writer” is better than today’s “creative,” with its implicit insult, ie, that everyone else is a non-creative.
Thank you for this, Meta! I’ve been working so hard to *start* with “I’m a writer,” and then list all the other stuff. It’s totally against my nature and this was a much needed reminder!
Thank YOU for writing and teaching us!🙏❤️