I had a realization today. Please stay with me as I take you along on the train of thought that lead to it.
Someone I know posted something stupid on Facebook. Big shock. But it made me think of a twitter post I saw once that said, "FB is where you lie to your friends, twitter is where you're honest with complete strangers."
There is definitely some truth to that. It got me thinking about how I rarely, if ever, post anything on FB about what I'm writing, revising, submitting, etc. But I have tweeted about such things.
I would not have the guts to introduce myself as a writer. I'm not even close to there yet. But my Twitter profile says "mother of four, trying to find time to write during the chaos."
So yeah, I basically do introduce myself as a writer there.
Maybe that means I'm closer than I thought to being able to introduce myself as a writer, maybe not. But I did find it interesting, it was something I hadn't thought about before.
So, how about you? Do you introduce yourself as a writer? If not, when do you think you will? If so, at what point were you able to do so confidently?
I had the opportunity to introduce myself as a writer, but went with my day job. At a family wedding, my aunt introduced me as a writer and then we had a table discussion about me and my writing - that was very bizarre. These strangers seemed almost interested.
ReplyDeleteGive it a go, it's liberating.
Having said that, almost all my friends and work colleagues are told I write relatively early in our respective relationships - it's natural for me to say "I'm writing tonight" when they tell me they're going out.
Annalisa, I bet they were more than just "almost interested." :)
DeleteMy friends and family know I write, but that's not the same as introducing myself as a writer. I couldn't do that.
I am the same, I don't introduce myself as a writer yet on my twitter have happily put my blog and that I write! Mind, my twitter hasn't attracted too many of my facebook friends so it's kind of existing in a different spot right now. Interesting to think about that distinction.
ReplyDeleteSame for me. It is strangers on twitter, and mainly other writers. So, ya' know, they get it. :)
DeleteI've started introducing myself as a writer even though I'm not yet published. I feel like I need to accept myself as a writer before I can really become one.
ReplyDeleteI just started a Facebook page about my writing, and there I clearly label myself as a writer. I have noticed that the people on Facebook take me less seriously than the ones on Twitter.
I guess for me it's about labeling. The people on Twitter generally don't know me, so they accept what I say. The people on Facebook do know me, and I think they don't take me as seriously because of that.
I have to decide that my opinion is more important than their's, though I'm not entirely secure in my own label yet either. Much as I don't want to admit it, external validation is probably what will; make me confident in it. Oh, the difficulties we writers face.
Good luck, and thanks for the interesting post.
"I need to accept myself as a writer before I can really become one." I like that. Thanks. :)
DeleteI don't introduce myself as a writer, though many of my friends and family know that I write. I think I'll feel more comfortable with the label once I finish a manuscript, revise it, and start querying.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll feel more comfortable if I ever have a novel published. . . Maybe. ;)
DeleteI've been writing for 30+ years. I've had a book published, written for newspapers, have been assistant editor of a regional magazine and am on staff now at Southern Writers Magazine. I never introduce myself as a writer. And that may be why I'm in the Insecure Writers Support Group. :)
ReplyDeleteLol! Must be. Thanks for stopping by, it's nice to meet you. :)
DeleteYou ARE a writer!!! Tell the world.
ReplyDeleteAnd knew there was a reason I wasn't on Facebook.
Lol, someday Alex. Someday.
DeleteAnd yeah, FB can be rather annoying. :-P
You ARE a writer. Alex is right. If it's part of who you are and what you do, then why not? :)
ReplyDeleteIWSG #288
I made that transition last year, so now everyone knows my aspirations. So much easier now! When it feels right, that's when you'll do the same! :)
ReplyDeleteI suppose so. :) Thanks!
DeleteFunny how you pointed that out. I didn't often say anything on FB about writing until I set up my author page. I talk a lot about writing on Twitter too.
ReplyDeleteYou are a writer. Not only a writer, but an amazing writer to be able to do it with four children!
Ha, thanks! Usually I'm a fairy unproductive writer due to having four kids. Slowly but surely, though. ;)
DeleteI've never introduced myself as a writer. I just feel like something has to be published first--whether that's self or by someone else. I know that's lame, but... I'm starting to mention it to more people I know though. Baby steps.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about FB is true though. I don't put the writing stuff in FB and I only really have one friend on FB that is on Twitter too.
Suzi, I feel that way too. I think if I get something published I'll feel more confident calling myself a writer.
DeleteInteresting thoughts! I generally only bring up that I'm a writer if asked, because most non-writers seem to find it a boring topic.
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Hmm, I haven't noticed that yet, but then again, I don't talk about it often. :)
Deletewriters get writers.
ReplyDeletenone of my friends are writers, so we dont talk about it much cause they dont get it...
not ready for twitter yet...but i like the saying =)
Writers get writers. I like that. And it's so true.
DeleteUsually, if you tell people you're a writer, the first thing they ask is, what have you published? Trying to explain that I haven't published anything, yet, is sometimes monumental and depressing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, people ask, what is your book about? Then essentially, I'm put on the spot to give my pitch, to non-writers, and that makes me nervous. I stumble and make my books sound kinda stupid, or worse, boring. So overall, I'm not fond of telling "outsiders" about my writing aspirations.
On the flip side of that, all my BFFs, (although they haven't read one page of my work) go around telling everyone I'm brilliant/amazeballs like they are my paid marketing team! LOL Which just cracks me up. Gotta love them!!
That first one- that's it exactly I think!
DeleteI have a hard time telling people I know IRL that I'm a writer. Total strangers? Oh, I am sooo a writer. No problem.
ReplyDeleteEven now that I have an agent, I don't tell old friends/acquaintances that I'm a writer. I might tell them when I'm published...maybe.
Maybe...
DeleteI hope you do. :) You'll have to let me know when the time comes. :)
I say I'm writing books, not exactly that I'm a writer. I'm not ashamed to say it though. My friends (the non-writer ones) and my family know I'm writing. They all think I'm silly and won't believe in my dream unless I get an agent. I'm doing the best I can in that department...
ReplyDeleteIf you are writing then I say you are a writer! Who cares if you've yet to be published. Emily Dickinson stuffed all of her work in chests and cabinets and most of it wasn't discovered and published until after she died. Was she not a writer. You go ahead and introduce yourself as one if you want to because in my opinion you most certainly are :D
ReplyDelete