If you want to know what someone believes, look at how they behave. We can all say we believe anything at all, but our beliefs are expressed in our actions.
I’ve been saying for years that I want to write more. that writing is a priority for me. Until two years ago, I wasn’t walking my talk. Not that I didn’t write at all, but it wasn’t a priority. Except for November, 2008, when I won NaNo for the first time. That was cool, but not sustainable.
But for the last couple of years, I notice that I’m writing more. Daily, even. I’m finally walking my talk. Of course, my definition of “writing” has also gotten a little looser. But that feels good, too.
None of my writing is wasted, not even the silly emails I send my family about my day. I usually write these in the middle of the night when I can’t settle down from the events of the day. I consider them “writing” as I rewrite and edit them, making them as funny as I can. Anything that allows me to practice my craft qualifies as writing these days.
If you read my life coaching blog, you’ll see that I recently wrote about Self-Love. Part of my path to kindness and compassion toward myself is allowing myself to make mistakes and allowing myself to call myself a writer, even though I haven’t published the great American novel (yet!)
While I don’t want to delude myself by calling myself a writer after writing a two line email, I also can’t wait until I’m published by Random House to do it. There’s a middle road that I choose to walk. I’m a busy mom and life coach—and writer.
In the past two years, I’ve made tremendous progress as a writer. One of the reasons this is so is because I’ve allowed myself to be a writer-in-progress and stopped forbidding myself the title of writer just because I don’t have an agent and a publisher.
Almost twenty years ago, after four years of medical school, I graduated with the degree of medical doctor. Then I worked as a resident for three years and took care of patients under the watchful supervision of more experienced physicians. But I still called myself a doctor. I see my journey as a writer in the similar way. I’ve gained enough experience and expertise (I’ve sat my butt in the chair enough hours and produced enough words) to call myself a writer. But I’m still a work in progress. I’m still putting in my 10,000 hours.
Did you write today? Then you, too, are a writer. Let yourself believe it.
Diane MacKinnon, MD, Master Certified Life Coach, is currently a full-time mother, part-time life coach. She is a Master Certified Life Coach, trained by Martha Beck, among others. She is passionate about her son, her writing and using her mind to create a wonderful present moment. Find her life coaching blog at www.dianemackinnon.com/blog.
What a positive encouraging post x thank you Diane x I call myself a writer even though I am not paid I have written lots of articles, newsletters and blogposts x now I feel I am not a fraud x
Sent by Brenda Kimmins
Hey Brenda,
You’re not a fraud–you’re a writer! Thanks so much for reading and for your comments.
Happy writing!
Warmly,
Diane
The trick is to realize : writers have many roads to follow…
Hi Griz,
I agree! It’s so easy to get stuck thinking writers are best-selling authors, or award-winning journalists! There are so many ways to be a writer. One of the best things I ever wrote was a spoof on a place I worked (waiting tables!) with my sister. She’s the only one who ever saw it, because she’s the only one who would have “got” it. It was still really fun to write. Thanks for the reminder!
Warmly,
Diane
I agree with you, whole-heartedly! Last year, after writing the first draft of a novel and a couple years’ worth of blog posts, I finally got up the courage to call myself a writer – and it felt wonderful and freeing. I decided that anyone who writes regularly should call herself a “writer.” When she publishes, well, then, she can call herself an “author.” I’m sure there are those who many disagree with me, but that’s the way I view it. Best wishes with your writing!
Hi E.K,
Thanks for your comments! Yay! I agree. You are a writer, and so am I. I know I’m improving, and I know I’ll get to where I want to be–in the meantime, I’m a writer!
Best wishes to you, too, and happy writing!
Warmly,
Diane
Reblogged this on talkwithtshepo1 and commented:
So truly told
Hi talkwithtshepo1,
Thanks so much for reblogging.
Warmly,
Diane
Uplifting. Thanks for sharing.
Hi neenslewy,
Thank you! For reading and for commenting. Best wishes to you!
Warmly,
Diane
I recently had my first play performed, any many people said “I didn’t know you were a writer!”. My instinct was to deny it, even when the evidence was right in front of our eyes.
Now it’s done I certainly don’t feel like a writer; I feel like someone who wrote. I crave the chance to write regularly – even a couple of times a week. I think with a bit of concerted effort and support from my partner I might be able to write regularly enough to feel like a “real” writer.
Thanks for the inspriration.
Such an interesting observation. I have had similar experiences when a project was “done”. I felt I had just lost my job and how to define what I NOW do. : ) A completed project runs through one’s mind as “I wrote it” (past tense), meaning I “was” a writer (at the time?). It’s so funny to think how one’s mind processes experience. : ) Right now I am writing (“current” tense), so my mind acknowledges I am a writer (if you ask me right now!)! Hurry! : D
Hey shambition,
You are welcome. In my world, you definitely qualify as a “real” writer. you had a a play that you wrote performed? Wow! Congratulations!
What if writing once a week qualified you as a writer? Go with it!
Best wishes with your writing!
Warmly,
Diane
Well said, Diane. And just as you describe being a writer, I understand what I mean when I say, “I am a writer”. When I say it to most others though, it’s usually, “Oh, and what do you write?” or “What kind of writing?”.
I’m curious how you, yourself (or others here reading comments) answer that.
Hey Marso,
Thanks for your comments. When someone asks me what I write, I usually say I blog regularly for two blogs, and I’m working on a novel and a nonfiction book. I can go on and on about any one of those projects. I can also refer back to all the memoir I’ve written (and stuck in a drawer) and I also have another blog I’ve started but haven’t talked about . That’s how I started my first blog. I just started posting and didn’t tell anyone ’til I felt more comfortable with it.
People who don’t write think it’s easy to write, but that doesn’t mean we need to get defensive. If I inspire someone to write by making it sound easy, that’s cool, but no one will keep writing without a lot of passion for the craft.
Happy writing!
Warmly,
Diane
Wonderful post!
I tend to feel like a fraud of sorts when I tell people I’m a writer. Even when I was a full-time feature reporter for a local weekly newspaper I called myself a reporter – not a writer. I’m sure it has something to do with that little shrew in the back of my mind saying “So, you think you’re a writer huh? Get serious!”
After all, I’ve been idolizing writers since the days of reading “Nancy Drew” under the covers with a flashlight. I’m still in awe of many of today’s prolific writers and the number and quality of novels they create. But they’re people, just like you and me, and they all started somewhere.
In my case, and I’m sure I’m not alone, the fear of failure and embarrassment kept me from calling myself a writer. But, in the past few months I’ve decided to really “own it” and say I’m a writer when asked. Heck, I’m already past the half way point in my life’s journey and there’s no time like the present to take that leap. I have to say, once I started using the term writer, (even if self-proclaimed) I became even more dedicated to getting words on the page and practicing the craft.
I may never be on a best sellers list or even get a book deal. But my words will be out there just the same and someone will read them. Hopefully the words will inspire or simply entertain the reader … and that’s an awesome feeling.
P.S. Congratulations on all of your writing successes thus far, especially the NaNoWriMo!!
Oh my – just realized how long my comment was… sorry!
Hi American Gypsy Gibberish,
Thanks for your comments and thanks for reading! As I read your comment, I thought, “Amen, Sister!” I feel the same way about calling myself a writer. I’ve wanted to for years and years. I’m 45 now and I feel like, “now or never.” I’m the only one who can decide I’m a writer. So I did. Seriously, I’ve been yearning to write since I was a kid, and I’ve been writing in secret for my whole life–it’s time to get over myself, put myself out there, and see what happens.
Good luck to you with your writing, you writer you!
Warmly,
Diane
I can really relate to this. Just last summer I finally realized (thanks to my 7-year-old son) that I need to call myself a ‘writer’ even though I am struggling to find a lit agent for my novel. Prior to that a-ha! moment, I’d been spending every day for about 9 years writing. Clearly, I was a writer if I was actively writing every day, but for some reason the fact I hadn’t been published made it difficult for me to acknowledge or accept publicly.
Hi 4amWriter,
Thanks for your comments. Having kids makes us better people, doesn’t it? Ever since I’ve had my son (he’s 3) I’ve thought about how I want him to approach the world. I want him to pursue his dreams–so I have to pursue my dreams! He makes me want to be the best person (and writer!) I can be–for his sake and for m own.
Good luck with your novel! Best wishes!
Warmly,
Diane
Thank you for this post! You said it perfectly! I laugh at myself for often being too fearful to post what I write. But just like you, I didn’t hesitate to put my lab coat on and introduce myself as a PT when I was in clinical training! So thank you for the inspiration! I’m going to keep planting my butt in the chair …One day I’ll declare myself a writer!
Hi digordon,
Thanks for reading and for your comments. I remember how nervous I felt (and how much like a fraud) when I first introduced myself as “student Dr. MacKinnon” but that’s how we were told to introduce ourselves, and it was usually just before saying something like, “and I’m here to draw your blood.” Ug. But, it helped me feel like a doctor, and eventually I grew into my title. I’m doing the same thing with my “writer” title. Practice makes perfect!
Best wishes with your writing!
Warmly,
Diane
Thank you for this post.
Hi mcolmo,
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading and for commenting!
Warmly,
Diane
I also consider myself a writer in progress! Look at my own blog title
best of luck on your journey.
Hi iniriba,
Thanks for reading and for commenting. Best wishes to you, too, on your writing journey.
You sound like one busy writer/mom/gamer.
Warmly,
Diane
Reblogged this on ideatebox and commented:
even our beliefs are reflective in our selection of words, i think if we can look into the selection of words a miniature idea we get about the belief of the person.
Hi ideatebox,
Thanks for reading and thanks for reblogging. I agree, words can tell a lot about our beliefs, especially our unconscious wording of things (I once accidentally called myself “childless” instead of “childish” which was exactly how I was feeling at the time), but I think we can intellectualize anything and our actions will always speak louder than our words (unless they match).
Warmly,
Diane