When can one call themselves a writer?

Question

My husband and I have just started writing a novel. We've written a prologue and 2 chapters, plus summaries for another 2. We're definately going to look at getting it published, though we're not sure if it'll take off. They're mostly his ideas, I just put them into a story form and make it sound really good. can we call ourselves 'writers' yet? Or do we have to wait for it to be published before we are true authors?

Answer 1

It's entirely possible that between you and your husband you are going to write a great novel incorporating his ideas and your "story-telling" skills.

You have just started writing it. When it's finished, you can publish it in all sorts of ways.

Yes, you are writers. Work hard, keep going. Good luck.

Answer 2

First, I hope you learn how to spell the word "definitely," and sentence structure. Anyway, no, you are NOT a real writer until you have had many works published. There is a huge difference between a writer and an author. And I have to tell you that writing a novel is a VERY ambitious project and not for the faint of heart. In addition, you had best make sure a publisher might be interested (and I am talking legitimate publishing here, not the on line cheesy stuff or vanity publishing) BEFORE you spend endless amounts of time writing this novel. Your chances of it being published are slim to none at all, because legitimate publishers have backlogs of work and most don't even read unsolicited manuscripts by unknown writers. Even popular writers are having problems these days. You really need an agent and it's tough to come by those as most only take experienced, already published authors. I hope you have written other things and had them published in the past and have some experience under your belt. You need to make a definitive outline of where this novel is heading (flesh out your characters, scenes, etc.), PRIOR to doing things like writing a prologue. That is usually the LAST thing written. Manuscripts submitted to publishers (again legitimate publishers) MUST BE LETTER PERFECT, in CORRECT FORMAT, on a particular weight of paper, or electronically submitted. In addition there must be a market for what you are writing. If it's not a hot sell, you can forget having it EVER see the light of day! The rules are rigid. Your chances of publication are slim. And, you will note that most here haven't got a clue to the answer with the exception of one or two. If you doubt this, check out the poster who keeps spelling "writers" as "WRITTERS!"

Answer 3

Yes you are writers.

The next question is whether what you write is marketable.

If you are unknowns, like most people are that are just starting out, then you need the advice of someone who has successfully published.

By "successfully", I mean someone who has seen high sales of books or other writings.

An example of a successful writer is Bill Clinton.

After having compiled high legal fees defending his mishaps while president, he wrote "My Life", and must have cleared over ten million dollars from book sales.

The reason he is successful at writing and making public speeches is the persona attached to being president.

So, without name recognition, you have a difficult road ahead to become a famous writer.

Don't let me stop you, however.

I wrote 70 chapters, all dealing with what I know about 9/11.

I won't bother getting them published, but for somebody in the future generations who are curious to want to know about 9/11, it's possible that what I wrote will become important to the next generations.

I also began a novel dealing with who was behind the Kennedy assasinations.

These topics interest me to no end, and most everything else that people write about in books being published I have little interest in.

That's just me, however, there are many others out there who will buy anything and will make famous ordinary people like the author of the Harry Potter books.

I hope I was of some help in your endeavor to become a successful writer.

Answer 4

When can one call oneself a writer? Well, I'd say the key words here are oneself (and can.....). One may call oneself anything (s)he pleases. I, for one, call myself a writer - and the last thing I wrote was a shopping list. Now, although it was a shopping list of great merit, it's doubtful that anyone else would view it as the work of a writer. So, go ahead and call yourself a writer. You'll know it's TRUE when other people call you a writer, and hopefully they will - once your novel is published. Good luck to you...

Answer 5

A Writer is someone who writes. A 14 year old kid who writes short stories about giraffes is a Writer. An author is someone who has finished writing something though I the dictionary term does not require it to be published.

Answer 6

writers are writers when they have had work published. Until then they are not exactly writers - plus if someone asks where they migiht have read your work what would you say?? err nothing has been published. Hold off on the status until you get paid to write.

Answer 7

Well
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Answer 8

Does it matter what you feel you can call yourselves? Is not creating something from your own mind not enough to give you satisfaction? Do you NEED the adulation of others or even booksales to define what you do? It would seem until you relish what you are doing and not recognition for what you are doing, you are NOT writers, but rather EGOS using a word processor.

Answer 9

If you can form words using letters you are a writer.

Answer 10

A good start would be writing that question correctly: "When can one call oneself a writer?" Or, as there are two of you, "When can we call ourselves writers?"