Wondering if you’re a “real” writer?
Some common writers’ traits are anti-social.
William Faulkner said:
The writer’s only responsibility is to his art. He will be completely ruthless if he is a good one. He has a dream. It anguishes him so much that he can’t get rid of it. He has no peace until then. Everything goes by the board: honor, pride, decency, security, happiness, all, to get the book written. If a writer has to rob his mother, he will not hesitate; the “Ode on a Grecian Urn” is worth any number of old ladies.
Here’s how to tell if you’re a real writer…
1. Your Attention Is Always Divided
No matter where you are, or what you’re doing, part of your consciousness is always on your writing.
You’ve been accused of being absent-minded, or a “dreamer”, more than once.
2. Everything’s a Story to You
The best day of your life, and the worst, have something in common: you wonder how you’ll use those experiences in your writing.
You pay careful attention to conflicts in your life, because you know you’ll use those conflicts in your writing, sooner or later.
When disaster strikes, you’re wondering if you can get an article, or maybe even a book, out of it.
3. You Feel Great when Your Writing’s Going Well
A great writing session energizes you and makes you happy.
If you’ve had a horrible writing session, you’re depressed.
Although you may hate writing at times, you’re happier when you write.
4. You Both Love and Resent Other Writers
You adore your writing heroes. You resent them too. You spend a lot of time wondering why you can’t write like _______ (your favorite writer.)
5. Many of Your Greatest Friends Have Been Dead for Years
You look on your writing heroes as friends. Some of them have been dead for years.
I adore PG Wodehouse, Charles Dickens, Georgette Heyer, and Anthony Trollope. They’re alive to me. They’ll always be my friends.
What about you? Share your thoughts on what it means to be a real writer in the comments.
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I can definitely identify with all of these! I would also include the fact that a real writer generally starts writing in earnest when they are still in single figures. I remember asking my mum for story ideas when I was about six or seven!
Thanks for this insight, Angela. It’s good to know I’m not the only writer who is frequently accused of being absent-minded to the point of dementia, and anti-social as well.
And as for feeling great when I’ve had a good day’s writing and depressed in the extreme when it’s not gone so well . . . all part of a writer’s life, I suppose. If for some reason I’ve hardly done any writing all day I feel frustrated and angry. The more I write the happier I am.