Note 363 – What’s your label: Blogger, Writer or Author?

Six months ago I wrote Note 169 – When are you qualified to say ‘I am a writer’?. Since then I have written every day, taken an online freelance writing course, moved a few steps forward with my book, set up a web presence as a freelance writer, and so much more. It has certainly given me the confidence to call myself a writer (still not a paid one – but that will come in time). If someone asks me if I am a writer now, my answer is less mumbled and more concise than in note 169. Also, if everything goes to plan with my book this year, I will be able to call myself a published author too.

So, does that make me a blogger, a writer or a ‘soon to be published’ author? I’m comfortable being called a writer now and most of my work is ‘out there’ through my many blogs. I personally don’t know how we all coped without blogs – it’s an instant and easy way to communicate your thoughts to others and a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work as a writer (if you choose to). I’m just not sure if I want to be labelled as a blogger.

It’s not just about blogging

A writer can have a number of hats, for example:

1. a blogger
2. an author
3. a journalist
4. an editor
5. a novelist
6. a scriptwriter
7. a web content provider
8. an article writer

…and so on.

Some thoughts…

I think people tend to see me as a blogger at the moment.

When I was writing my book, people asked “how’s the book going?” or “how’s your writing going?”

Then I started blogging about writing and people said “how’s the book and the blog going?”

Then the book took a backseat whilst I was finding a publisher and the question I get asked most of the time is “how’s your blog?”.

Some just say ‘how’s the writing going?”.

Maybe it just depends on how you see yourself and how you talk about what you do.

Blogger, Writer or Author?

I’ve just had a little dig around the internet to see if someone else has written about this topic. It took a lot longer than I thought to find a post where someone had similar thoughts to me, but I eventually found one called Blogger, Writer, Author – which one are you? by GettysburgGerry.wordpress.com who says that being a blogger doesn’t necessarily make you a writer and suggests that “blogging is the first stage in the writing world” which may be true for some.

He also writes that “in time a good blogger becomes a writer simply by the act of continuing to express thoughts through words” and that being an ‘author’ implies that your work had been published. It goes without saying that an ‘author’ status gives you a lot more credibility. It’s worth visiting the post as he has some very good points.

So, my two questions today are:

1. Do people call you a writer, a blogger, an author, or something else?
2. What would you actually like to be called?

Until tomorrow…

Sandra
www.tipsandluxuries.com
Only 3 days to go on My Writing Challenge…