KillerMuffin
Seraphically Disinclined
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2000
- Posts
- 25,603
Why or why not? If not, what would it take for you to become a "real" writer?
Do you consider yourself a "real" writer?
- Thread starter KillerMuffin
- Start date
Wicked-N-Erotic
Wicked As I Wanna Be
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2002
- Posts
- 1,095
Yes I do, I write therefore I am a real writer.
Wicked
Wicked
Yes, although I'm afraid to own up to the term in a "if I pretend it doesn't mean so much to me, then it won't hurt so much when I fail" way. I just have to remember how I feel when I'm creating and reading over what I've made, and then there is no doubt.
Sabledrake
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2002
- Posts
- 1,008
Yes. After two fantasy trilogies, a horror novel, a kids' book, and a few short story sales, I guess I'd better 
Not counting tons of fanfic and naughtiness for this site!
Sabledrake
Not counting tons of fanfic and naughtiness for this site!Sabledrake
flawed_ethics
Professional Dufus
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2001
- Posts
- 1,193
I write because little stories build up in my head to a point where it is best to write them out. Since I lack any actual writing ability and do not stand to make anything from my scribbles, I do not consider myself an author.
!!!sailorm72003
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2003
- Posts
- 251
No, I think of myself as an aspiring writer. When I can rack up a few more rejections, then I'll be a "real" writer.
lovinanalandy
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Posts
- 144
Violette...
I believe you can get paid to write, do it all your life and still not be a "real" scribe. I'm a prime example; writing pays my bills, shocking as that might sound. Of course, if you've read my Lit work you know I ain't cashing checks with erotica. I'm more of a journalist than a writer, but I don't consider myself much of either. Allow me to quote the noted humanitarian Bobby Knight: "Most of us learn to write in about the second or third grade and move on." I guess I just never moved on. (See, there I go ending a sentence with a preposition. What kind of "real" writer does that?)
I believe you can get paid to write, do it all your life and still not be a "real" scribe. I'm a prime example; writing pays my bills, shocking as that might sound. Of course, if you've read my Lit work you know I ain't cashing checks with erotica. I'm more of a journalist than a writer, but I don't consider myself much of either. Allow me to quote the noted humanitarian Bobby Knight: "Most of us learn to write in about the second or third grade and move on." I guess I just never moved on. (See, there I go ending a sentence with a preposition. What kind of "real" writer does that?)
cahab
Ms
- Joined
- May 23, 2003
- Posts
- 324
Money
I will consider myself a real writer the second I manage to get someone to give me money for my writing, even if I never do again. Until then I'm a writer in training.
Being a real writer doesn't necessarily mean being a good one, as th above post suggests. Although I am unhappy at present with even my best work, I am already confident that I am better than some I have read which make millions.
I will consider myself a real writer the second I manage to get someone to give me money for my writing, even if I never do again. Until then I'm a writer in training.
Being a real writer doesn't necessarily mean being a good one, as th above post suggests. Although I am unhappy at present with even my best work, I am already confident that I am better than some I have read which make millions.
Couture
Ass Expert
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2001
- Posts
- 1,363
You know, there are plenty of artists who also have to work (something that pays the bills) in order to eat. I don't know of a single one who doesn't consider his/herself an artist.
I think the problem some of us have is due to the genre. I for one don't. Thousands and thousands of people have read and enjoyed my stories. Most have been moved to a physical reaction (bad or good) from my words. I received more letters than I can count. What more does it take?
I am a writer.
I think the problem some of us have is due to the genre. I for one don't. Thousands and thousands of people have read and enjoyed my stories. Most have been moved to a physical reaction (bad or good) from my words. I received more letters than I can count. What more does it take?
I am a writer.
Pookie
Chop!! Chop!!
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2002
- Posts
- 58,778
I consider myself a "real" writer. I'm certainly not a professional. Writing is a hobby for me for now. But it doesn't mean I'm not a "real" writer. I think some of my writing is "better" than some professionals. I devote a significant amount of time to writing and developing my skills. I'm open to constructive criticism and learning new things. I love writing and obtain great satisfaction from it. I enjoy thinking up new plots and ideas for stories. I like trying different writing styles at times. I enjoy collaborating with other authors to improve my skills, and to share my own ideas.
I look at it this way. Professional baseball players are paid to practice and play in games during an established season. College baseball players are not paid to practice and play in games during an established season. Does that mean college baseball players are not "real" players? Hardly. They devote a significant amount of time to the game, just as professionals do. Professionals are constantly in training, just as college players.
I'm not sure what you intend to mean by "real", but that's how I view being a "real" writer.
I look at it this way. Professional baseball players are paid to practice and play in games during an established season. College baseball players are not paid to practice and play in games during an established season. Does that mean college baseball players are not "real" players? Hardly. They devote a significant amount of time to the game, just as professionals do. Professionals are constantly in training, just as college players.
I'm not sure what you intend to mean by "real", but that's how I view being a "real" writer.
English Lady
Erotic English Rose
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Posts
- 48,011
I am a writer, because i write and let others see my writings, i don't think i am an author,that to me is something professional and published!
deliciously_naughty
One Sexy Mama
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
- Posts
- 4,765
I do consider myself a "real" writer. I write, almost every day, and I produce work, generally of good (occasionally even high) quality.
On the other hand, I am only starting to consider myself to be a professional writer. I have had a story accepted for publication in a webzine for September. On the other hand, I'm not being paid for it, so I'm not sure if it counts as a first professional sale/ or acceptance. But it gives me a boost to encourage me to keep trying to sell my work rather than just write and keep it all a secret
On the other hand, I am only starting to consider myself to be a professional writer. I have had a story accepted for publication in a webzine for September. On the other hand, I'm not being paid for it, so I'm not sure if it counts as a first professional sale/ or acceptance. But it gives me a boost to encourage me to keep trying to sell my work rather than just write and keep it all a secret
G
Guest
Guest
Re. the question and its ill use of a word like "real", well frankly it would never occur to me to think about the notion let alone reply earnestly.
maladroitly (which is to say gauchely),
Perdita
maladroitly (which is to say gauchely),
Perdita
The_old_man
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2001
- Posts
- 916
I think Mona has the correct take on most of us. Writers, yes: authors, no.
I fantasize sex encounters for personal relief. Some of the fantasies have been typed into my word-processor. A few of those have been submitted to LIT. One was traded for s months membership at another site several years ago. So yes, technically I have been payed for my scribbles.
I do not however consider myself as an author.
I fantasize sex encounters for personal relief. Some of the fantasies have been typed into my word-processor. A few of those have been submitted to LIT. One was traded for s months membership at another site several years ago. So yes, technically I have been payed for my scribbles.
I do not however consider myself as an author.
sweetnpetite
Intellectual snob
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2003
- Posts
- 9,135
Being a writer is a state of mind. Being literate doesn't count, publishing doesn't count, getting paid doesn't count, magizine subscribtions and the number of hours you spend on it doesn't count either. Having or not having teqnical skills isn't it either. Just writing something people read doesn't neccesarily make you a writer- lots of people write letters but they aren't all writers. I don't even think that letting others read what you write is necessariy important. I don't think emily dickenson showed her poems to anyone while she was alive, she was a major hermit.
What makes you a 'real' writer is when writing is something you do that is a part of who you are. Some people post stories for kicks until the thrill runs out. Some people write stuff because it's there job and it pays the bills. Some people right because they have a story to tell. Writers can write for all these reasons, but there's always a part of them that writes to write. Sometimes they love it, sometimes they hate it, but they can't imagine life without it.
They may not be able to articulate all of this but they know in their hearts that they are "writer's." So when a person says that they are or are not a "real writer" I take them at there word, because I think only you can decide that for yourself. Only you know if the reason you write is because you can, or because you must.
As for me, I am a writer.
What makes you a 'real' writer is when writing is something you do that is a part of who you are. Some people post stories for kicks until the thrill runs out. Some people write stuff because it's there job and it pays the bills. Some people right because they have a story to tell. Writers can write for all these reasons, but there's always a part of them that writes to write. Sometimes they love it, sometimes they hate it, but they can't imagine life without it.
They may not be able to articulate all of this but they know in their hearts that they are "writer's." So when a person says that they are or are not a "real writer" I take them at there word, because I think only you can decide that for yourself. Only you know if the reason you write is because you can, or because you must.
As for me, I am a writer.
patrick1
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- May 13, 2003
- Posts
- 1,308
Here in the UK there are different professional organizations depending on who you think you are: the Society of Authors, and the Writers Guild.
Myself, I'm a Writers Guild man, not because I think being an 'author' is beyond me, but because I dislike the snobbery associated with the term. Which could, of course, be some sort of inverted snobbery. Heck, us Brits are so class-conscious.
As for being a 'real' writer or not, I tend to apply that to other people, not to myself. Usually with irony. Usually I accuse someone of not being a real writer when I feel they don't care about the shapes of words, sentences and speeches.
patrick
Myself, I'm a Writers Guild man, not because I think being an 'author' is beyond me, but because I dislike the snobbery associated with the term. Which could, of course, be some sort of inverted snobbery. Heck, us Brits are so class-conscious.
As for being a 'real' writer or not, I tend to apply that to other people, not to myself. Usually with irony. Usually I accuse someone of not being a real writer when I feel they don't care about the shapes of words, sentences and speeches.
patrick
TheEarl
Occasional visitor
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2002
- Posts
- 9,808
I'm not a writer yet. I'm reasonably skilled at getting two characters to have sex and fairly good at describing it. In my mind I'll only be an author when I finish a story that isn't just a pathway to sex.
On a side-note a big GBHLCS to Jan, who has inspired me to struggle on with my best piece of non-erotic. She won't ever read this, but it makes me feel better to say it.
The Earl
On a side-note a big GBHLCS to Jan, who has inspired me to struggle on with my best piece of non-erotic. She won't ever read this, but it makes me feel better to say it.
The Earl
G
Guest
Guest
Pops:
What about some special tutoring? Private like.
Perdita Darling
What about some special tutoring? Private like.
Perdita Darling
