The Author-Writer Continuum

Even though the vast majority of my time writing has been spent trying to create a perfect novel, I've always described myself as a writer when asked about my occupation. That is, of course, until I got out of college and realized that in the literary world, the word "writer" can be akin to saying calling yourself a mechanic, depending on what it is you actually do.

I always had the grand thought of poets and authors being writers, and we are. But so are the people who write copy about cement or write instruction manuals. There is very little respect for writers in this country, because it's too general a term. All it tells people is that you can string words into sentences and you understand the fundamentals of the English language.

So I've since taken to calling myself an author. This cuts out one more question in the inevitable chain of "Oh, what do you write? Books? What kind? Have you had anything published?" If the answer is yes to that last question, they usually want to know the title, which they will immediately forget. This is the point their interest, real or feigned, is generally sated and the conversation either dies or moves in a different direction.

I say this not to aggrandize myself, but to be accurate. And all you people out there who have written books, published or no, you're authors too. It's a much smaller club of people, and it lets those you come into contact realize that you've accomplished something extraordinary. Often the first reaction I see on people's face when they hear I've written a novel is either wonder or excitement. It's something a lot of people have either dreamed of doing, but for whatever reason haven't.

So if you've managed to write a book, or if you are actively working on your book, call yourself what you are. Celebrate it. If for no other reason than to remind yourself that you've done something amazing.

Also, I'm adding a video for a song that I've written countless pages to. Hopefully it'll inspire y'all too.

Tori Amos, "Spark"

Topics: Writing , Tori Amos , Spark