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- Feb 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 24
If you've been putting pen to paper or fingers to your keyboard, pouring out your thoughts and stories, you may start to wonder, "Am I really a writer?"
It's a question that often lingers in the minds of many aspiring wordsmiths. The "doubt" is natural. It's a part of being vulnerable. But there is strength in vulnerability. Let's explore the characteristics that can support your confidence in defining yourself as a writer as you grow into this new creative identity.
Before delving into the intricate world of what it means to have a passion for words, let's explore the characteristics that distinguish someone truly enamored with the artistry of language. From collecting linguistic treasures to reveling in wordplay, each aspect contributes to a writer's deep connection with the very essence of expression.
The Passion for Words of a Writer
In the realm of creativity, one aspect stands out as the heartbeat of every true writer, a relentless passion for words. Do you do any of the following?
Word Collecting
Gathering words like treasures, whether in a notebook or on your phone, signifies captivation where certain words evoke emotions or roll off the tongue. Getting emails from "dictionary apps" that feature the word of the day is one way to do this.
Language Exploration
Word enthusiasts don't settle, they explore new languages, turning word origins into a journey connecting them to human expression. Are you learning a new language on Duolingo, or practicing when traveling to a different country? Do you try to use a new word in a sentence to cement your understanding?
Appreciation for Linguistic Nuances
A true passion for words involves an acute appreciation for subtle nuances, savoring delicate shades of meaning. Do you highlight words that you do not understand in books and look them up, or skip over them?
Wordplay and Puns
Joy in wordplay is a sign that words represent a deep connection with the linguistic playground. If someone uses a slang term you're not familiar with, ask them to explain. There is no shame in learning, and you should not feel stupid by doing this.
Reading as a Ritual
Immersing in others' worlds, and appreciating word choices, turns reading into a ritual for word passionates. Set yourself a reading time daily, join a book club, and make it a habit to write regularly even if inspiration has not struck.
Word Associations
Naturally weaving intricate webs of word associations reveals an innate passion for the art of expression. Riddles, poems, exploring different types of writing whether you read it or try it yourself is an excellent practice to get into to practice word association. There are also games online you can play to strengthen this skill.
Adoration for Quotes
Reflecting on quotes as profound glimpses into the human experience showcases a reverence for the power of words. When you find a quote your love, even a fortune cookie, save it. Place it somewhere in your regular line of vision like on a mirror, or doorway.
Writing as a Pleasure
For passionate wordsmiths, writing is a joy, whether journaling, crafting stories, or composing poetry. Never leave home without your journal or a small notebook. You never know when inspiration will strike! As a backup, you can use your phone.
Word Appreciation Rituals
Incorporating word appreciation into your day demonstrates a love for linguistic brilliance in communication.
Sharing the Excitement
The urge to share resonating words showcases a contagious passion for language. Get writer friends! You are the sum or average of the people you spend the most time with. So if you want to be a writer, meet other writers. There are in person meet ups, conferences, and plenty of online groups available.
The Inescapable Urge to Write
Writers are not driven by choice but by a compelling compulsion to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. This uncontrollable need to write becomes a defining trait, marking the individual as a classic writer.
Renowned novelist Ernest Hemingway captured this essence when he remarked,
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
This visceral analogy underscores the writer's compulsion—a force demanding release through the act of writing.
The urge to write transcends a mere desire; it's an automatic response, an irresistible call to document thoughts, feelings, and observations. For those who experience this innate creative force, the act of writing becomes a journey of self-discovery, an exploration of thoughts, emotions, and imagination.
When you find yourself unable to resist the beckoning call of inspiration, if your pens and keyboards become extensions of your thoughts, congratulations, you are not merely someone who writes, you are a living testament to the inescapable urge that defines a true writer.
The Art of Observation of a Writer
In the writer's realm, observation is a finely tuned skill, akin to a painter studying their canvas. Keen eyes capture more than the extraordinary. They delve into the nuances of the ordinary.
Consider a writer in a café, capturing the interplay of conversations and unspoken words. Imagine them in nature, noting the dance of sunlight on leaves. This acute attention to detail transforms a simple walk into a sensory journey, where every rustle of leaves becomes a source of inspiration.
Observational prowess extends beyond the physical to the personalities inhabiting a crowded subway, the well-loved pages of a book, or the fleeting expressions between friends. For those attuned to these subtleties, writing becomes a translation of the world's intricate details into prose.
The writer, noticing not just the what but the how, breathes life into observations, turning mundane moments into rich reservoirs of inspiration.
The Solitary Journey of Writing of a Writer
Inherently, writing often takes one on a solitary journey. It’s been observed that a considerable number of writers identify as introverts, finding their creative haven in the tranquility of personal expression.
If you find peace in the company of your thoughts and the creative process, cherishing the idea of spending undisturbed hours alone with your words, you’re not just on a journey. You’re embodying the quintessence of a genuine writer.
A host of celebrated authors, acclaimed for their literary contributions, have openly identified as introverts. From J.K. Rowling to J.D. Salinger, these writers discovered the space for their creativity to thrive in the solitude’s embrace. The act of writing requires focus, introspection, and a serene environment, traits often associated with introverted personalities.
For numerous budding writers, the first step towards weaving their narrative is to carve out a space where they can dive deep into their thoughts without disturbance. This conscious choice reflects the tendencies of introverts who prefer environments conducive to profound concentration and self-reflection.
So, if the idea of being alone with your thoughts doesn’t daunt but excites you, you’re not only traversing the solitary path of a writer but aligning with the predispositions that have ignited countless literary voyages.
The Love-Hate Relationship of Writer with Editing
In the alchemy of crafting words, editing emerges as the crucible where writers transform their raw prose into refined art. To truly grasp this process is to navigate a love-hate relationship. A dynamic interplay of agony and ecstasy that separates mere writers from meticulous craftsmen.
Imagine your initial draft as a rough-cut gemstone. The editing process is the art of shaping and polishing until it gleams with brilliance. Yet, it's not a painless endeavor. Writers often find themselves in a dance of agony, cutting away words they once believed were perfect, akin to sculptors chiseling away the excess stone to unveil the statue within. The act is both a laborious task and an art form, requiring the courage to let go of the familiar in pursuit of perfection.
Then comes the ecstasy. The thrill of crafting the perfect sentence. It's the moment when words align in sublime harmony, resonating with a rhythm that elevates the entire piece. This is the reward for the painstaking work, the sweet satisfaction that transforms the editing process from a necessary evil into a creative pursuit.
This love-hate relationship is the heartbeat of meticulous craftsmen, those who understand that writing is not just about putting words on paper but about refining them, sculpting them, and, in the process, revealing the true brilliance within. So, if you've felt the sting of cutting words and the ecstasy of crafting perfection, you're not just a writer; you're an artisan sculpting stories with words.
In the end, being a writer isn't about fame, fortune, or external validation. It's about the love affair with words, the undying need to create, and the journey of self-discovery through storytelling. So, if you resonate with the traits mentioned above, embrace the writer within. Always remember, you don't need permission or a title.
If you write, you are a writer.
