I'm not a writer...

[ostarella]

And I'm beginning to think I don't want to be. Because once again I find myself faced with such obstinate elitism it makes my head spin. See, I'm not a writer because I don't earn my living by writing. Even if I were published and getting paid for it, I wouldn't be a writer unless I supported myself by writing. Otherwise, I'm just a hobbyist. Or, in a more generous mood, I could be called an 'aspiring writer'.

The earth will shatter if I call myself an author.

Comments

[indemaat.livejournal.com]

Ah, that would make me a writer: I earn a living writing manuals. ;-)

In an attempt to say something others haven't said yet: (aspiring) writers and authors create fantasy worlds with fantasy meanings for words. Good for them, they seem to be on the right track for becoming writers.

In the real world, however, I'd suggest these people get themselves a new dictionary. The definition of writer is not "makes money selling books". They'd more likely find that definition under bookseller (Although these days most booksellers should probably be considered aspiring booksellers).

A writer is someone who writes. Though when discussing fanfic, I usually use the term author for the person who wrote the story, and only say writer when the story was really good. But that's just a personal association I have with the two words.

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I think what I find irritating (or amusing, once I calm down) it the idea that there has to be a distinction. Like one is somehow better than the other. I can see making a personal distinction, don't get me wrong. But using the terminology to put down one group or elevate another - and especially when the so-called definition is so obviously out of whack with reality - just seems stupid.

But as another member of that forum said, only on a writers group could you find a lengthy discussion of those labels. LOL