By Jennifer Blanchard
A few days ago on Twitter, I tweeted the following:
Are YOU A Writer? http://tinyurl.com/oqzaoh. I’m proud to share those 3 little words with the world: “I’m a writer!” Are you?
Recently, I noticed that many writers don’t like to tell other people that they’re writers.
Why is this?
When I was twelve, I started writing short stories. I started keeping a journal. I started carrying a notebook with me everywhere I went.
I thought being a writer was the coolest thing in the world.
One day in seventh grade, I fractured my thumb and had to go through physical therapy. When the doctor was making my brace (I had to wear a custom-molded plastic brace), she asked me what I liked to do. She liked to make the braces more fun, so she usually made them with soccer balls or flowers or butterflies, whatever the kid liked.
I told her I loved writing. So she put a pencil image on my brace.
The next day at school, I was wearing my brace when the girl who sat next to me in science class asked me what that picture on my brace was. I told her it was a pencil because I liked writing.
Immediately she shrieked with laughter and started making fun of me, which then got everyone else around us to join in. A writer, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
I was devastated, to say the least. I stopped wearing my brace, even though I needed it. And from then on, I never told anyone I was a writer.
Even through college, when I was going to school for journalism, I still had a hard time telling people I was a writer. It’s like I felt shameful or something for not trying to be something else, like a doctor or a lawyer.
It wasn’t until a few years ago when I really started to embrace being a writer.
When I got my first job out of college, however, I suddenly liked telling people I was a writer. It made me feel cooler, somehow.
Now I can’t imagine calling myself anything else. And I’m damn proud of it.
The way I see it: If you write, then you’re a writer. Period.
Here’s how to become more confident calling yourself a writer:
- Believe It–If you write, you’re a writer! So believe it.
- Say It Out Loud–Say it out loud to yourself over and over again, “I’m a writer.” “I’m a writer.” “I’m a writer.”
- Share It With Others–Let people know you’re a writer. Say it like you believe it. “I’m a writer.”
- Be Proud of It–Being a writer is the best job in the world. You get to create. You get to make things up. You get to help people with your words.
So…do you call yourself a writer? And if not, what holds you back?
About the Author: Jennifer Blanchard is founder of Procrastinating Writers. Be sure to follow her on Twitter.
