But Do You Think I’m A Writer Yet?
“I’m a writer!” – the words danced around my head and very nearly tripped out of my mouth.
But instead, I heard the familiar confession, “I’m a stay at home mum.”
That’s the truth. I’m a mummy. I love being a mummy. I feel like it’s the most important job in the world, and I feel blessed to be able to do it…but could I be a writer too?
My blog is 5 months old
I’ve been blogging for about 5 months now. I didn’t really know what I was letting myself in for when I started but it has been a total lifeline for me!
I have honed my skills (I already cringe at my earlier posts) and I’m starting to discover my voice. I am developing my brand and I have collaborated with other fab brands.
But am I a writer yet?
I’ve been published on other websites such as the blogging hub Voiceboks.com and the young parents charity Little Lullaby. I’ve even started my own guest blogger series (Bloggers Bluff) and other bloggers are actually asking to take part!
But am I a writer yet?
When does a writer become a writer?
At what point can I officially say that I’m a writer?
- Is it when I’ve written a certain number of words?
- Is it when I’ve earned a specific amount of money from it?
- Is it when my blog hits a particular number of page views?
I’d feel like such a fraud, introducing myself that way.
A writer writes
But writing has become so important to me over the last few months. It’s given me an identity that is just mine, instead of being dependent on someone else (i.e. Jenny’s mum). It’s given me a creative outlet. It’s given me a new confidence.
I write because I want to write. And when I write, I discover myself and what I actually think about stuff.
So yes – I am a writer…… I just probably won’t say so!
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I think if you love writing, and if when you wake up the first thing you think about is writing, then that makes you a writer. 🙂 #ablogginggoodtime
Yes I think you’re right. And I like to say it to myself but I’d never say it to anyone else!
Yes, absolutely you are a writer! There shouldn’t be any stigma attached about saying it. It is fantastic that you are able to say it and that writing has given you an outlet. Keep it up 🙂 Alison x #ablogginggoodtime
Thanks, Alison. I used to love writing, but it kind of took a back seat when I had my children. I love that, being a blogger, I can combine my love of writing and my love of being a mummy into 1 super thing! Thank you for your comment. L
I remember the first day of saying it and my advice is that you are a writer when you write so you are one. then my big hurdle was to say I am an author, even though it was true. I think many of us have been in your shoes. It gets easier. #ablogginggoodtime
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Kirsten 🙂 I can’t imagine ever being brave enough to say it (nobody in my real life even knows about my blog yet!) but maybe one day…
I’d never think of myself as a write. I’m a blogger (on the side of my day job although I probably spend the same amount of time blogging as I do my full time job), and for that I write. But it’s all in the mind and what you want to call it. (just don’t put writer as your job on your car insurance, because your premium will probably rocket!)
To be honest, I don’t think many of my peers would know what a blogger is! I tried explaining it to someone recently and they just didn’t get it at all – “But why do you blog? What’s the point of it?”. So that’s why I was toying with the idea of saying I’m a ‘writer’. It’s a tricky one, though. Thanks for leaving a comment, Emma. L
I feel exactly the same! I feel like a writer, it makes me feel whole, but I definitely wouldn’t say it as yet – I’m hoping my confidence will grow and one day I’ll be able to say it out loud! #ablogginggoodtime
Yes that’s the same as me! Maybe we’ll get there one day…
I’d say you were a writer! I’m not a writer- I simply write up what I’ve done with my kids. But you write actual content that makes sense! #ablogginggoodtime
Aaaw bless you, that’s made me smile 🙂 But I think, as lots of others have said in the comments, that if you love to write, then you’re a writer. And if you have a blog, then I assume you love to write. Thank you for your lovely words, though! L
That’s a tricky one… I have no answer but at least you are not alone.
I don’t mind not having an answer – it’s just nice to fire the question out to the blogisphere and see what comes back 🙂
I think of myself as a writer but probably wouldn’t call myself that to somebody else. Its weird isn’t it? Like we’re being pretentious or don’t feel we deserve the label. #blogginggoodtime
Yes that’s exactly it! I definitely feel like I haven’t earned the right to call myself it yet, and, as you say, it seems quite pretentious too. Maybe one day… Thanks for your comment, Jeremy. L
I ask myself this often! I write my blog, I’ve written a childrens book, I’m writing a novel and I have had a fair bit of work published. Am I a writer? Of course I am, but when somene asks my profession I say I’m a stay at home mum. I always think saying I’m a writer sounds a bit pretentious!! #PoCoLo
Wow you are DEFINITELY a writer! You have no excuses! Hehe. But yes, it just feels so odd to actually say it!
Love this! I feel exactly the same. We’ll get there one day…we’ll maybe x #ablogginggoodtime
Hehe yes maybe… It’s funny when, as a blogger, writing takes up so much of my time, and yet I just can’t bring myself to say it…
As Carl Jung once said ‘You are what you do’. #PoCoLo
A very apt quote, Helena. Thanks!
It’s uncanny. I wrote such a similar post when I had been blogging for a similar amount of time!!
My conclusion was, I write, therefore I am a writer. It’s that cut and dry for me. It’s believing it yourself that’s half the battle. I’ve even put it in my Twitter bio now 😀
Hehe really? Do you have a link to the post? Good for you – putting it on your twitter bio. That’s a big step. Maybe I’ll get there one day too…
Forgot to put #pocolo
You know my views! You most certainly aren’t an imposter my lovely, you’re definitely a writer. Each of us have to back ourselves, thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo X
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Stephanie. L
You write therefore you are a writer and a pretty good one too!!
thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
Wow, coming from you, this means so much to me! Thank you. L
Gosh this one rears it’s head often doesn’t it. Sounds as though you are doing fabulously well already Lucy – congratulations. You are writing though aren’t you – so it’s OK to say so. It’s a bit like saying you are a blogger isn’t it. Quite often, if we are doing something unconventional people don’t understand. They don’t ask questions, they just don’t say anything! I’d love to meet someone who said they were a writer though. My first question would be ‘ooh how exciting, what do you write about’. I had this thought when listening to some authors at an event a few weeks ago – wondering whether they get blank looks when they say they are writers. When they felt comfortable saying they were writers. I’m sure they must have had the same internal debate too! #PoCoLo
Yes I think most of the people I know wouldn’t have a clue what a blogger is. I think that’s why I was thinking of saying a writer. But then is a blogger and a writer the same thing?? I don’t know. But yes, looking at the comments, it seems like lots of people have these inner debates too. Thank you for your comment, Nicky. L
A writer and a mummy, and combining both things you love makes you a ‘writer’ in my books. Love what you do and do what you love as the saying goes. You’ve achieved so much in such a short period of time. and the fact you have so many goals as a writer, tells me you ARE one! The moment you stop loving it is the time to question it xx
Aaaw thank you for the encouragement. Yes I think you’re right – at the moment, I’m LOVING blogging. I can’t imagine being without it anymore. L
This is such an interesting question. It used to be that you could only call yourself a writer if you’d written books, these days it’s more about the act of writing itself. I call myself a writer, in fact when I got asked what I did a few days ago I actually told them that I was a writer! I couldn’t believe the words came out of my mouth but I really did say it! It’s only taken nearly 5 years of blogging!
My point is, if you write because you want to and you write because you love it, you are a writer. It may take some time but you will, eventually, have the confidence to call yourself a writer. xxx
Thanks for linking to #pocolo
Hurray – congratulations for finally being able to label yourself a writer after all these years! I feel a long way from being able to say it myself, but maybe one day…
Do you believe this is something I never even thought about… I wonder? Not about you lovely, about me? Am I a writer. I love to write. I love to blog. I love generating comments and making people think or laugh, maybe I am a writer too, like you? Oy vey… #Ablogginggoodtime
Ah yes I think you’re a writer. The general consensus from the comments here seems to be that if you write, and you love to write, you’re a writer… It’s just a big step from saying that here to actually saying it in “real life”
Yes my lovely you most certainly are a writer, and a brilliant one at that! Love this post – it got me thinking xx #MarvMondays
Thank you, Fi. It’s so nice of you to say that. It’s an interesting question, isn’t it! L
You most definitely see a writer and a good one at that!! Thanks for joining us for #marvmondays
Thank you, Fran. I hope so…
Let’s break this down.
You write. So you’re a writer.
You have a blog.
So you’re a publisher.
You’ve written for other websites.
So you’re a published writer.
Yeah. I reckon you’re a writer.
Well done!
#marvmondays
I love this comment! Very matter-of-fact. Thank you 😀
I so feel this! I left my job after a few months back from maternity leave, it just wasn’t working with my hours and childcare. I started taking some freelance writing jobs. My blogs still small, but my freelance work is going quite well. Just from working a few hours while the kids are in bed, i’m earning more than I did at work. But I still feel like i’m a stay at home mum!
#marvmondays
Wow that’s amazing! Go you! I think you’re DEFINITELY a writer if you’re doing proper freelance writing. But it’s nice to be able to be a stay at home mum too. L
#marvmonday hmmm if you want to be a writer, if that makes you feel whole. Say it, be it and own it. I’m a mummy, I’m a full time teacher and I’m a writer 🙂 ohhh I like it
Yes you said it! Well done! You ARE a writer!
If you write and want to be a writer then I think you already are one! I wouldn’t worry too much about labels though, just do what you love and enjoy it 🙂 #MarvMondays
I think you’re right that labels don’t count for much. It’s more that I haven’t dared to tell many people about my blog because I’m not sure they’d understand. But then I’m not sure I can describe myself as a writer either…
Adrian put it really well. You are a writer! Hoorah! You are doing really well by the sound of things, too. #BloggerclubUK
Yes Adrian had a very good way of putting it! Thank you, Jane. L
You have achieved a lot in 5 months and you are enjoying it and that is fantastic. Well done. #bloggerclubuk
Thank you, Jo. Thanks for your comment. L
This was so me a couple of weeks ago. I had real issues telling people I was a writer because I was actually a barmaid who write too. Two weeks ago I left my full time job to write full time, so now I have to say I’m a writer! The response I’ve had has been so positive and supportive and not what I was expecting at all, so I would say go for it. Call yourself a writer 🙂
Thanks for linking up to #BloggerClubUK
Debbie
Wow that is amazing! Go you! What a brave step to take. I really hope it goes well for you. L
My other half is always moaning about me being really shy when it comes to telling people in person that I blog! And I’ve been doing it for two and a half years! Strangely I don’t think of myself as a writer but I guess I am! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Yes it feels really strange to say it. I feel silly saying that I blog, because I worry that they won’t know what it is!
Oh I totally cringe at my earlier posts I keep meaning to go back to them but never seem to get the time! Thanks for joining us at #bloggerclubUK hope to see you again this week xx
Hehe yes it’s another thing in the long list of “blogmin”. I’ve revamped a few of my old posts, but also it’s nice to see how you’ve developed and have something to compare to.
I think we are all kind of critical of ourselves as bloggers. A good friend told me to stop thinking I was growing a business & to say it was my business. I think that is the best way to look at your blog. You are writing so you are a writer. If you want to make money from it someday, call it your business now. Keep the mindset strong 🙂 Thank you for linking up with us at #BloggerClubUK
That’s a really great piece of advice. It’s the “self-fulfilling prophecy” and all that jazz! Thanks for commenting. L
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