Am I a writer?

Posted by admin | Filed under News

It’s a question I often ask myself. Am I?

I suppose it depends on your definition.

Some folks reckon that until you’re published you can’t call yourself a writer. Others say you have to be paid for your work before you can assume the lofty crown.

Well I guess in a way I’m safe. Although I’ve had no fiction pubished I have had some interviews and reviews published in Bass Guitar Magazine, a magazine that has distribution here in the UK and the USA. And I was paid for it. It was quite a while ago but I even managed to secure space on the cover of one issue!

But do you need to be published or paid to call yourself a writer?

If you play the guitar in your bedroom are you a musician? I’m not sure…obviously you play an instrument, an integral part ot being a musician but I think something is missing. If you were to take that handful of chords and get down to your local open mic night and plays some songs or have a jam then I reckon you could call yourself a musician.

But if you paint and never sell your paintings are you an artist? Or do you just paint? I don’t know.

So I guess I could call myself a writer…just not a fiction writer. Yet.

Permalink | January 17th, 2009

5 Responses to “Am I a writer?”

  1. Nick Gordon Says:
    February 11th, 2009 at 8:54 am

    I often find the question is answered by the person in question’s commitment. I know lots of people who call themselves ‘musicians’, comfortably sat on the stool by the bar…..

  2. bencooper Says:
    February 11th, 2009 at 9:27 am

    Do these people also get drunk and then play the same three songs for six months? ;)

  3. The Bean Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 7:33 am

    Hey, I hope you’re not referring to me.

  4. The Bean Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 7:40 am

    I’ve been thinking about the “middle letter thing” in a Sci-Fi writers name. I hope your middle name is Dave.

  5. bencooper Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 8:30 am

    Hi Bill,

    No I wasn’t referring to you…do you play in public? I’d love to see it.

    Regarding middle names…I don’t have one but I though James, John or Jacob might work… :)