Define what a 'real writer' is to you.

[CharleyH]

Now that's creative.

I was going to use the word 'nice' instead of 'kind', but I thought is a bit, well ... too dull.

 

[CharleyH]

Anybody can get paid to write; maybe not a lot, and maybe not often, but paid nevertheless.

Getting paid to stop writing requires real genius.

LOL

 

[Liar]

I must admit that as a professional (non-fiction) writer in the 21st Century, I do get a bit irked (not enough to make a difference maybe) when someone calls themselves a writer and yet when I ask what they have published or where they write - they merely say on a website, usually a free forum. I have worked hard to be where I am as a writer. Shang mentioned freelance writing - and let me tell you that writing for a living is not easy. Freelancing is especially difficult because 90 percent of your time is spent getting the job. It may not seem much to some, but I have worked hard for the title of "writer". I intend to work even harder for the title of "author".

The problem is that the nomer "writer" is too damn diverse.

I'm a professional writer of magazine features, news articles and editorial columns. But I don't call this profession "writer". I call it "journalist", "reporter" or "columnist", depending.

I'm a professional writer of educational material. In this role I call myself a "non fiction author".

I'm a professional writer of commersial text. Ads, promo material, et al. In this role I'm a "copywriter".

I'm a professional writer of stageplays (Not a steady income, but I've sold staging rights of a handful of scripts to both amateur and pro theatre groups.) There I'm a "playwright".

I'm an "amateur writer" of poetry, fictional short stories and novels.

When it comes to the arts, it's easy for people to say 'I'm a writer', painter, sculptor, photographer, or artist for anyone who does it as a past time. Not so in other "real" professions like anthology, architecture, dentistry or politics.

I designed the outhouse and the toolshed at my family's summer cabin. So I'm an amateur architect and building constructor. (Very amateur, I might add.)

I used to be politically active. I didn't hold a public office, but I participated in debates, wrote campaign material, sat in comittes and was the secretary of my county's branch of a political party. I got no pay and I did it on my spare time, whuile having a full time job.

Was I not a politician? What else was I?

 

[shereads]

Allow me to propose a distinction between 'real' and 'professional' for the group's consideration.

A professional writer is one who, when asked to 'come up with something clever' for the office Christmas card or a friend's resume, runs away screaming.

A real writer wouldn't have been asked.



(It should go without saying that only amateurs and hobbyists are not only asked for freebies, but are flattered.)





By this definition, I'm a professional writer - but not a real one. I'm okay with that. I guess.

 

[CharleyH]

Allow me to propose a distinction between 'real' and 'professional' for the group's consideration.

A professional writer is one who, when asked to 'come up with something clever' for the office Christmas card or a friend's resume, runs away screaming, having learned from experience that such opportunities are nightmares in the making.

A real writer wouldn't have been asked.



(It should go without saying that only amateurs and hobbyists are not only asked for freebies, but are flattered.)

By this definition, I'm a professional writer - but not a real one. I'm okay with that.

ROFLOL - you kill me.

 

[Liar]

Thread over, shereads won.

 

[CharleyH]

The problem is that the nomer "writer" is too damn diverse.

I'm a professional writer of magazine features, news articles and editorial columns. But I don't call this profession "writer". I call it "journalist", "reporter" or "columnist", depending.

I'm a professional writer of educational material. In this role I call myself a "non fiction author".

I'm a professional writer of commersial text. Ads, promo material, et al. In this role I'm a "copywriter".

I'm a professional writer of stageplays (Not a steady income, but I've sold staging rights of a handful of scripts to both amateur and pro theatre groups.) There I'm a "playwright".

I'm an "amateur writer" of poetry, fictional short stories and novels.

I designed the outhouse and the toolshed at my family's summer cabin. So I'm an amateur architect and building constructor. (Very amateur, I might add.)

I used to be politically active. I didn't hold a public office, but I participated in debates, wrote campaign material, sat in comittes and was the secretary of my county's branch of a political party. I got no pay and I did it on my spare time, whuile having a full time job.

Was I not a politician? What else was I?

And when you write for Lit - what do you call yourself, Liar?

 

[Liar]

And when you write for Lit - what do you call yourself, Liar?

That would file under "amateur pervert".

 

[shereads]

I was going to use the word 'nice' instead of 'kind', but I thought is a bit, well ... too dull.

An excellent illustration of the issue at hand. A hack would have gone with 'nice,' sent JBJ a bill, and moved on.

 

[mellowgyrl]

That would file under "amateur pervert".

Then what is scary is what a professional pervert might be like!

 

[oggbashan]

Then what is scary is what a professional pervert might be like!

President?

 

[shereads]

That would file under "amateur pervert".

Real versus amateur perverts? That deserves a thread of its own.

 

[shereads]

President?

Diet Coke inhaled into my esophagus! Call 911

 

[oggbashan]

I should have added that...



I'm Vice-President of our local Chamber of Commerce.

That title took on a new meaning when we recruited one of the local prostitutes as a member. Why not? She was trading in our town - legally. She paid her dues on time - in cash

Og

 

[mellowgyrl]

President?

I have got to stop drinking my soda and reading these threads or I'm not going to have a keyboard! LMAO

 

[CharleyH]

An excellent illustration of the issue at hand. A hack would have gone with 'nice,' sent JBJ a bill, and moved on.

lol You are a delicious ... pleasure, babe. Always more than the word pleasure can articulate though. I love that a lot about you.

 

[CharleyH]

That would file under "amateur pervert".

ROFLOL - perfect!

 

[CharleyH]

Where is this thread at now? Just a question.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Where is this thread at now? Just a question.

After six pages, it's at the time-honored sniping-and-flirting point.

Where else would it be?

 

[CharleyH]

After six pages, it's at the time-honored sniping-and-flirting point.

Where else would it be?

So you want to get it on? First things first ... I grab your pirate hat and throw it in the .... Danube.

(Sorry, that's it for me tonight. Dinner and bed,)

 

[Trombonus]

I dunno, I write the occasional story or piece of music, but I don't consider myself to be a "writer" in either case. Possibly because I just do it for fun. Maybe if I finish my jazz piece and it gets performed I'll rethink it, but then that's only one piece. Same with writing. If I ever get anything published I might change my mind, but I highly doubt I'll ever have the skill or the balls needed for that. I'll stick with playing music and teaching kids. That's what I do.

 

[Stella_Omega]

So you want to get it on? First things first ... I grab your pirate hat and throw it in the .... Danube.

(Sorry, that's it for me tonight. Dinner and bed,)

The DANUBE?
I can't believe you did that!

Do you realise that I'll have to sail right across the Atlantic, up the Mediterranean, through the straits of Dardanelle and Istanbul just to reach the mouth of the river? And then all the way up to Budapest -- just to jump in and soak myself for your amusement... My crew will never stand for it. I'm looking at mutiny...

Fuck it, I'll fly instead.

 

[McKenna]

I don't know. I am all for writing and encouraging people to write. However, as Liar mentioned, anyone can write something and call themselves a writer. I suppose to address Og and your initial question, a "real" writer (though I must say I don't like the term 'real') is one who can carve out a living of some sort through writing.

Agreed. I feel very much the same way.

I must admit that as a professional (non-fiction) writer in the 21st Century, I do get a bit irked (not enough to make a difference maybe) when someone calls themselves a writer and yet when I ask what they have published or where they write - they merely say on a website, usually a free forum. I have worked hard to be where I am as a writer. Shang mentioned freelance writing - and let me tell you that writing for a living is not easy. Freelancing is especially difficult because 90 percent of your time is spent getting the job. It may not seem much to some, but I have worked hard for the title of "writer". I intend to work even harder for the title of "author".

And now for the loaded questions: What about folks who self-publish? Or, folks whose only form of publication is an e-venue?

 

[McKenna]

Thread over, shereads won.

Agreed! I bow before her cleverness.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Agreed. I feel very much the same way.



And now for the loaded questions: What about folks who self-publish? Or, folks whose only form of publication is an e-venue?

You mean non-paying e-venues, like Lit?
I'd call that hobby writing. In fact, that's what I say, if I'm asked; "I have sold one story, but writing's my hobby."