Writing is an art that allows us to express our thoughts, emotions and experiences in various forms. Whether it’s crafting stories for novels or blogging about personal insights, writing has the power to connect with readers on different levels. However, many aspiring writers often find themselves pondering over a fundamental question: “When can I start calling myself a writer?” Or when exactly can you say “I am a writer”? But there are some milestones that might indicate your progress along the path of being a writer.

“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” – Thomas Mann

Some milestones:

1. Embrace your inner writer

Writing is not just about the finished product; it’s also about the process of putting words on paper (or screen). If writing brings joy to your life and fuels your creativity, then consider yourself a writer. You don’t need external validation or publication credits to claim this identity.

2. Developing your craft

The first step in calling yourself a writer is mastering the basics of writing. This includes learning grammar rules, understanding storytelling structures, and practising different styles (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.). As you improve your skills, you’ll start to notice that your writing becomes more polished, engaging, and effective at conveying your message.

3. Writing regularly

Consistency is key when it comes to developing a writing habit. Aim to write regularly – whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly – to build momentum and discipline.

As you commit to regular writing sessions, you’ll start to see progress in terms of quality, quantity, and overall satisfaction with your work.

4. Set goals and make progress

Whether you aspire to write novels, short stories, blog posts, or poetry, setting goals and making progress towards them is crucial. As you hone your craft, learn from feedback, and keep writing consistently, you’ll find that the title of “writer” becomes more accurate.

5. Experimenting with different forms

Writing is not just about putting words on paper; it’s also about exploring different forms and styles. Try your hand at short stories, poetry, screenplays, or even blogging!

As you experiment with various formats, you’ll discover what works best for you and develop a sense of versatility as a writer.

6. Find your writing community

Surrounding yourself with other writers can provide valuable support, inspiration, and motivation. Join local writing groups or clubs, use online forums, attend workshops or conferences, and connect with fellow scribes to share your experiences and learn from one another. This community will help you grow as a writer and reinforce the fact that you are indeed part of this world.

7. Sharing your work

Whether through a blog, social media, or traditional or self-publishing routes, sharing your work is an essential step in becoming a writer. As you put your words out into the world, you’ll gain valuable feedback and experience, further solidifying your identity as a writer.

Sharing your writing with others is crucial for growth as a writer. Whether it’s through online platforms, workshops, or critique groups, sharing your work helps you:

• Get feedback from peers and mentors.
• Develop thick skin (not everyone will love your work!).
• Refine your craft based on constructive criticism

As you share your work, you’ll start to build connections with fellow writers, editors, and industry professionals – opening doors for future opportunities.

8. Finding your niche

What sets you apart as a writer? What topics do you enjoy exploring most? When did you discover your passion?

Finding your niche is essential in today’s crowded writing landscape. It helps you stand out from the crowd, attract like-minded readers and clients, and build a reputation for expertise.

9. Earning recognition

Recognition can come in many forms – awards, publications, speaking engagements, or even book deals! When you start to earn recognition as a writer, it’s a sign that your hard work is paying off.

As you receive accolades from others, you’ll start to feel more confident and validated as a writer. It’s a powerful motivator to keep pushing forward!

10. Believe in yourself

Perhaps most importantly, believing that you are a writer will make it so. Embrace the title wholeheartedly, and let it guide your actions and decisions. As you continue to write, learn, and grow, others will begin to see you as a writer too.

“You don’t have to be a genius or a veteran of the craft; you just have to care about what you’re doing and love what you’re writing.” – Neil Gaiman

Guidelines

1. Writing practice: Regardless of your current level, if you actively engage in writing – whether it be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc. – you can start calling yourself a writer. The key is consistent practice that involves creating written content and honing your craft over time.
2. Passion for writing: If there’s an intrinsic passion or love of writing within you – evidenced by spending significant amounts of free time reading, studying literature, experimenting with different styles, etc. – you can identify yourself as a writer in that sense. This internal drive is crucial to your journey and growth as a writer.
3. Commitment: The decision to call yourself a writer should stem from personal conviction rather than external validation or expectations. It’s about embracing the identity of being someone who creates written content, regardless of how long it takes you to reach certain milestones like publication success.
4. Continuous learning: Being committed to learning and improving your writing skills is a fundamental aspect of identifying as a writer. This includes studying various genres, understanding narrative structures, mastering grammar rules, etc., which are essential for honing one’s craft over time.
5. Writing community engagement: While not mandatory to call yourself a writer, engaging with the writing community – whether through workshops, critique groups, local writing groups or clubs, or online platforms – can significantly contribute to your growth as a writer and reinforce this identity. Sharing experiences, receiving feedback, and learning from others can be incredibly beneficial on your journey.
6. Overcoming challenges: Recognising that writing is not always easy and acknowledging the challenges you face – such as self-doubt or writer’s block – can also play a role in embracing this identity. It demonstrates resilience, an essential quality for writers who continuously strive to improve their work despite obstacles. It’s important to note that you can take breaks from writing and still identify as a writer. Your passion for writing may ebb and flow over time, but it remains an essential part of who you are.
7. Pleasure: If writing brings you pleasure, joy, and fulfilment, then embrace the title of “writer” without hesitation.

Remember, the most crucial aspect is not about reaching any specific milestone or achievement, but rather having a genuine love and dedication to the craft of writing.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. A terrible concept: Ensure your idea is original, engaging, and has a clear purpose or message that resonates with readers.
2. Not writing regularly: Consistency in writing practice helps improve skills; aim for daily writing to develop discipline as a writer.
3. Not developing your writing skills: Just because you’re calling yourself a writer doesn’t mean you’ve mastered the craft. Keep learning, practising, and improving your writing skills.
4. Not setting realistic goals and expectations: Writing is hard work, and it takes time to build momentum. Set achievable goals (e.g., completing a manuscript, publishing an article) and don’t get discouraged by setbacks or rejections.
5. Not reading widely: Reading is essential for writers because it exposes you to different writing styles, techniques, and genres that will help improve your own craft.
6. Overestimating your abilities: Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Avoid taking on projects that are beyond your capabilities.
7. Obsessing over perfection: Perfection is unattainable and can be detrimental to your progress as a writer. Instead of focusing on perfecting every sentence, focus on getting words down and refining later in the editing process. Embrace your mistakes as learning opportunities.
8. Not taking breaks or setting boundaries: Writing can be all-consuming, and burnout is a real risk. Make sure you take regular breaks, set realistic goals, and establish healthy boundaries between writing time and personal time.
9. Over-reliance on criticism: While feedback is valuable, don’t let it discourage you from pursuing your unique voice and style.
10. Not building an audience or network: As a writer, it’s essential to have a platform (e.g., blog, social media) where you can share your work and connect with readers. Don’t isolate yourself; engage with other writers and potential readers.
11. Ignoring market research: Understand the market trends but avoid pandering solely to popular genres; write what genuinely interests you while considering reader preferences.
12. Waiting for permission or validation: You don’t need anyone else’s approval to call yourself a writer. Stop waiting for someone to give you the green light and start writing!
13. Procrastination on editing: Writing is a process that involves multiple drafts and revisions, and is only one part of the process – edit, revise, and polish your work meticulously for a professional-quality manuscript. Don’t be afraid to edit your work; it will only make it stronger in the end.

Remember, becoming a writer requires dedication, persistence, and continuous learning. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to establishing yourself as a credible writer!

12 Key takeaways

1. You don’t need permission: You don’t have to wait for someone else’s approval or validation before considering yourself a writer.
2. It’s not about being published: Being published is not a requirement to call yourself a writer. Your writing habits, skills, and passion are what matter most.
3. It’s about the process, not just the product: Writing is an ongoing process that requires dedication and effort. As long as you’re actively working on your craft, you can call yourself a writer.
4. Your inner voice doesn’t dictate reality: Don’t let self-doubt or negative thoughts hold you back from embracing your identity as a writer. Trust in the work you do and acknowledge it as part of who you are.
5. Recognise your passion and commitment: If you have a deep love for writing, spend time regularly practising it, and are dedicated to improving your skills, then you can consider yourself a writer.
6. Understand that the journey is ongoing: Becoming a “writer” isn’t an endpoint; it’s a continuous process of learning, growing, and evolving as a creator.
7. Believe in yourself: Trust in your abilities and don’t wait for external validation to start calling yourself a writer. Your inner voice should be supportive, not critical.
8. Embrace the challenges: Writing can be difficult at times, but if you persist through these challenges and continue to work on your craft, that makes you a writer.
9. Focus on progress rather than perfection: It’s important to keep moving forward in your writing journey, even if your work isn’t perfect yet. The key is consistent effort and growth over time.
10. Self-identification as a writer: You can start calling yourself a writer when you have actively engaged in writing, whether it’s through creating your own work or studying and practising the craft of writing regularly.
11. Writing habit formation: The key takeaway for establishing and maintaining daily writing habits is simply starting the practice of writing every day without waiting for external motivators or validation from others in order to solidify your identity as a writer.
12. Time commitment flexibility: Time spent on other activities, such as having a job or raising children, does not negate one’s status as a writer; writers can continue honing their craft alongside these responsibilities and still call themselves writers based on the commitment they make to writing.

“You don’t have to be a strikingly original writer; you just have to be willing to work very hard at it.” – Stephen King

Conclusion

The moment when you can call yourself a “writer” is unique to each individual. It’s not about how many books you’ve published or how famous you are; it’s about embracing your passion for writing, setting goals, finding support in the community, sharing your work, and most importantly, believing in yourself. So go ahead, claim that title with pride – because if writing is an integral part of your life, then you are indeed a writer.