This guest post from author Thomas E. Kennedy is the first of four, each focusing on a question that has empowered him - and could also empower you - as a writer.
Q: When do you become a writer?
Thomas E. Kennedy: When you’re starting out and have published little, maybe nothing at all yet, it is hard to believe in yourself as a writer. Back when I’d only published two or three stories, although I had been at it for years, when someone asked me what I did, I felt funny claiming to be a writer.
Did I really have to identify myself with the day job that paid my bills even though I considered writing the most important thing I did?
I asked a former teacher, Gordon Weaver, whose resumé included a dozen books of fiction, at what point he felt comfortable saying he was a writer. His answer empowered me.
He said, "A writer is someone who writes. A serious writer is someone for whom writing is the most serious activity he or she knows. The amount of publication, money, fame you might get – these are extra-literary factors."
With those words at my back, I began to call myself a writer.
How do you feel about calling yourself a writer?
Thomas E. Kennedy is the author of eight novels, as well as several collections of short stories and essays. He teaches creative writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
In the Company of Angels, published by Bloomsbury in June 2010, is one of four novels comprising the Copenhagen Quartet. It is the first of Kennedy’s books to be published in the UK.
Click to visit the official website of Thomas E. Kennedy »
Hi Flugel Meister, I just wanted to say that a writing portfolio isn't something authors typically use. However, if you are a freelance, it can be a very good idea to set up a website with samples of work, so that prospective clients can find out about your writing style and experience at a glance. You can find out more about 'Setting Up a Website' in the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook. Hope that helps.
On another note, I've noticed that US publications typically refer to new writers as 'emerging writers' while UK ones tend to say 'aspiring writers'. I rather like the confidence and commitment implicit in the former.
yes i know what you mean tricky question. Iam writing my first novel if someone said to me what do you do i would never say i am a writer i would feel embarassed.
As my full-time occupation involves nothing to do with writing it does seem a little odd to even contemplate the title of being a writer. Of course, if I had any published work then I'd be only too happy to apply that as my occupation. So I suppose I'm a "writer in training" at the moment.
On a side note, to improve my chances, are there any helpful resources for creating a writing portfolio?