tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701215672753702984.post5716094911946243501..comments2024-03-25T09:26:08.658-06:00Comments on Chaotically Yours: On WritingL. M. Leffewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03622710354642535249noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701215672753702984.post-25364734043925967492012-04-03T13:32:16.738-06:002012-04-03T13:32:16.738-06:00This year I finally started telling myself that I ...This year I finally started telling myself that I am a writer and telling others that write daily that they are writers too. It is important to claim. I love this epiphany of yours. <br /><br />Peace,<br />MorganL. M. Leffewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03622710354642535249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701215672753702984.post-9318805757098144672011-06-07T22:30:37.190-06:002011-06-07T22:30:37.190-06:00Thank you for commenting.
As far as I've be...Thank you for commenting. <br /><br />As far as I've been able to tell, from reading many a writer's blog, the "am I writer?" neurosis seems to be pretty common. Even to writers who have the weight of publication (and a fanbase) on their sides.<br /><br />I know part of my reluctance to self-label was due to the message that seems to be ingrained in U.S. culture that what you <i>are</i> is synonymous with what you <i>do</i>. And to have any credibility in what you are/do you must have the weight of fame or money behind you. <br /><br />Despite my desire to kick cultural baggage to the curb, that one dug its claws in. <br /><br />(Incidentally, not long after sharing this post, I stumbled across this very relevant quote:<br /><br />"People are certainly impressed by the aura of creative power which a writer may wear, but can easily demolish it with a few well-chosen questions. Bob Shaw has observed that the deadliest questions usually come as a pair: Have you published anything?–loosely translated as: I've never heard of you – and What name do you write under?–loosely translatable as: I've definitely never heard of you." - Brian Stableford)<br /><br /><br />I also think the fact that most writers seem to be notorious perfectionists plays a part in not wanting to self-label. <br /><br />I know I can never consider something <i>quite</i> finished (of course that could be because I have trouble finishing things...), so to say "I'm a writer"--full stop--feels a little bit like a lie. <br /><br />But, I'll strive to get over it. :)L. M. Leffewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03622710354642535249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701215672753702984.post-66767246067248858102011-06-07T21:42:57.325-06:002011-06-07T21:42:57.325-06:00This resonated with me. Outside of a few details ...This resonated with me. Outside of a few details it could have been a page from one of my own journals. Nice to know I'm not the only one who took a while to feel comfortable to self-label myself, proudly, as a writer. I am still working on my craft, something I decided to finally pursue after years of misery working for others, and still in the early stages but, I am a writer. Thanks for sharing this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com