Overthinking: I'm a Writer?

 

In August 2024 , I finished the second draft of Don't Fireball the Neighbors (Title Pending). My next challenge was to figure out how to turn my manuscript into a published novel.
One of the first things I did was met with Janice Buswell, a local novelist. I bribed her with lunch at a Thai resturance to pick her brain. It was a productive meeting.

I didn't walk away with ten step plan to grow a platform or a agency contact. What I got was advise on finding an editor and restructuring my time management. Basically, it was time to stop treating writing as a hobby and take it to the next step.

“Introduce yourself as a writer,” She told me “When you walked over, you mentioned your petsitting business.”

She continued to explain that introducing myself as a writer directs the conversation to my work and writer's platform. It's good advise from a self-promotion stand point. (It's the many reason I use “House and PetSitter” in my intro's. I find new clients and good booking that way.)

As with all good advise, it's easier said than done. Can I call myself a writer?

A large part of my mental block to claiming "Yes, I'm a writer" is that is was never my career focus. In college, I tended to the other half of the brain - WatchMaking and MircoTech and then later Environmental Engineering. 

I also lack the hallmarks of 'serious writers.' My membership in writer's groups has been patchy due to distance and my various side-jobs. 

More damning, I've never published anything. I wrote essays for my humanities electives, made modifications to some Dungeons and Dragons games I hosted, but never submitted anything since a church poetry contest in my late teen.

Writing fiction has never been a professional focus in my life. Why call myself a writer?

After stewing the question over, I used my old stand-by for decisions – A “Why?” and “Why Not?” list

Surprisingly, the Why List was longer and had heavier point values.

The first thing that jump off the page was a counter to my lack of literature background. I've been working on the Lands of Mundus for 2/3^rd of my life, since I was thirteen. I've been writing, rewriting, and looking for feedback constantly. I'm not just throwing words into chat-bot. I practice and try to strengthen my skills.

A hobbyist writer is still a writer.

In a similar vein, I am a storyteller. The written word is my strongest method of telling stories. Spend 2/3^rd of your life practicing something and you will improve, even if the practice was not the most efficient or structured.

My storytelling skills are specialized around writing.

Finally, I selfishly want to be remembered as a writer. Good books enrich people's lives. I want to create something that does that. (Pet-sitting is service, and a valued one. However, after the first two or so bookings, my clients' honeymoon phase is over. I'm enriching their lives the same way a house-keeper or yard service might.)

Weighing all the pro and cons, I realized the many thing stopping me was overly specific standards for 'what a real writer is,' a habit of undervaluing my own efforts, and the social phobia of having to listen to the follow up question “but does it pay?”

I have nothing to lose but false modesty by introducing my as a writer (my social status is non-existent as a disable adult co-habituating with family). What I gain is the chance to talk about my passion – writing stories.

Calling myself a writer is a truthful description. It's not like I'm claiming to be 'future best selling author' or “Newbery Award Winner.”  I write stories.