Am I still considered a writer, even if…?
I invite my colleagues to come in behind this and add their details.
“…I don’t write every day?” Yes. You need to find your own best writing rhythm. Don’t let people bully you into theirs.
“…it goes weeks or months between sessions?” Yes. Writing comes from an internal “aquifer” that can take time to refill. Let it.
“…my stories don’t get any or much interaction?” No one can guarantee that anyone will interact with their work, even if it is good… now, or in decades/centuries past. For example: you want to sit down and have a long talk with the shade of James Joyce.
“…I only write fanfiction?” Oh FFS. This “Fan fiction isn’t as valid as non-fan fiction” thing: who made THAT up? Write what you love. God knows I have, and continue to.
“…I only write for fun?” This is the single best and most valid reason to write. (Though `’and also for money” comes pretty close behind it). You could, though, make a strong case for “There is no point in writing for WHATEVER amount of money or fame if you’re not having fun as well.” In fact I think my professional colleagues may possibly agree that without the fun, the money’s value decreases significantly. Lack of fun in writing, in fact, could be considered to be one of the very few things in the world (besides outright currency devaluation) that can make money worth less.
“…someone criticizes my skill?” (…A pause while I fall to the ground wheezing with laughter.) Jeez. Publishers may try to declare you less of a writer than you are, but usually that’s only because they know you’re about to be poached by another publisher.
“…my family are the only ones who read my stories?” If only your family read your stuff? Assuming they’re not assailing you with inadequate critiques about it, then they are perceptive people. Others will get there. Thank them for their support, and give it time.
“..I don’t know writing terminology?” This is another O,FFS! thing. I couldn’t diagram a sentence if my life depended on it. The only way I know about gerunds is from Nigel Molesworth. Just write.
“…I only write for myself, with no intention of sharing it with the world?” When you are a writer, you get to write only for yourself if that’s what you choose. …And you know what? The world has its own imperatives. If you really don’t want your words shared, dig a deep hole to put them in, and never tell anyone where it is. Because words will out.
“…I don’t know writing terminology?” Whatever I previously knew, I’m happily to have pretty much forgotten, except when I need to coordinate with editors. When I have to do that, if someone uses a writing word I’ve misplaced by disuse, I go look it up. No one cares.
“…I’m not very good at what I’m doing?” If you’re just getting started on this journey (i.e., you’re only within the first five or ten years of it), you’re not in the best position to make that judgment. Give it some time yet.
“…I don’t believe myself worthy of being called one?” Oh, gosh, who sold you the idea that you have to believe you’re worthy of this work to be doing it? Routinely the people who hand you this line are the ones who feel the most unworthy themselves. Unfollow them at your earliest convenience.
“…the publisher turned me down?” Oh, my sweet summer child. The only time to pay attention to anything a publisher says is after they’ve paid you. If money hasn’t changed hands, wave bye-bye and move on. It’s not your job to validate them or their (soi-disant) taste. A publisher’s quality is known by those they take on, and how they treat them.
“…I only write one genre?” …What? What are you saying? You write. All writing is in the One Great Genre. Everything else is nonfiction. (Or something.) You’re where you need to be. Relax, and write, and have a party. :)
“…I use clichés?” All clichés had some truth in them once. That’s how they got to be clichés. … Some of them are still true. Use them judiciously… or rephrase them and make them new. They’ll thank you for that.
“…I lack motivation?” Are you kidding? All working writers lack motivation, repeatedly, every single day. All you have to do is be motivated one more time than all those times… and then write something.
“…I excel at dialogue but suck at description, or vice versa?” If (a), write more dialogue. If (b), write more description. Play to your strengths, and let the world beat a path to your door. No one ever said you had to be great at everything.
“…I keep abandoning projects to start something new?” (a) Make sure to make notes on what you’ve been working on. (b) Keep those notes safe, and move on! Sometimes the writer’s brain recognizes something as being of value, but doesn’t yet know how to make use of it. Give it time.
“…I say screw the rules?” Every day, and twice on Sunday! Do it as necessary while finding your way. A big part of your job is to find what the rules are for you… the specific working writer who you are. Your job is to find the writing habits and style that will enable you to share with other human beings what the most important things are that you feel the need to share. …And to have as much fun as possible doing it.
…Are you still here? Get on with it! :)
