I have a small blog roll--a few select blogs I've inadvertently stumbled upon and continue to read because they inspire me, allow me to question my own beliefs, make me laugh or cause me to ponder thoughts, ideas and feelings I may otherwise never have pondered.
One of those blogs belongs to David Stehle at The Rest is Still Unwritten. This guy can take a topic like manwhoring and turn it into a piece you can't stop reading, even if it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Then, a day or two later you'll see him pour his heart into a post about the speech he delivered at his sister's wedding.
Today, though, he posed an interesting question: are bloggers writers or literary dabblers?
I think I agree that having a blog, by the very nature of the task, makes you a writer, but can't wrap my mind around who or what makes you a true author.
I know writers who get paid for their words, but whose words are awful.
On the other hand, I know unpaid writers whose words are beautiful.
And then, I know a whole handful of people whose jobs involve writing, but who may or may not be true authors.
Most of my job entails writing, whether it be for newsletters, company reports, fact sheets, signs, handouts, or whatever else the communications plans call for, but I'm probably not what you would call a real "writer".
In my work, I write to be effective, not creative. I'm sure it's possible to be both, but I'll admit that it's easier to be effective.
Perhaps this blog, which started as a way to keep friends and family up to date, will become my creative outlet. I have started to challenge myself to write about topics, not events. Step one? Maybe.
I'm not sure I'll ever know if I'm a writer, but frankly, I almost hope that I never carry that title. Can you imagine the immense pressure that would come with being labeled a writer? Every word expected to be brilliant, ever period perfectly placed.
For now, I'll continue to spew randomness on to this page and if someone chooses to read it, all the better. If not, I'll continue to hone skills, seek inspiration and just put finger to keyboard...for me.
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2 comments:
As someone who writes, among other tasks, for a living, I've found that when somebody asks you what you do for a living, saying "Oh, I'm a writer," is about the most pretentious-sounding thing that could come out of your mouth (especially if you say it was a snobby accent, which, of course, you just must).
I learned very early to just tell people, "Oh, I work at a newspaper." Sounds way less douchey.
For all they know, I'm the janitor.
Nick - very interesting though. You don't say "journalist" or a "sports writer"? That doesn't sound pretentious to me. Orrr columnist sounds even better!
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