On Becoming A Writer

[coppervale]

I'm seeing lots of posts, and essays, and articles about the boundary between being an amateur and being a professional writer. The not-an-urban-legend complaint among many unpublished wannabes is that they are being held back by the Cabal Of Pro Writers/Agents/Editors what have you. The truth is a lot simpler: if you're good at it, and keep

Comments

[gregvaneekhout]

Personally I think if you write, you're a writer. If you write diligently, you're a diligent writer. If you write well, you're a good writer. But I think the designation "writer" can only come from the act of doing it, and while external validation from other writers is wonderful, they can neither grant you the designation of "writer," nor take it away.

[coppervale]

You're right, Greg (and I like your distinctions). I wasn't really thinking of it as an external validation though, as much as a sort of screening by those who know of what they speak. I mean, somebody has to determine if you are a 'good' writer - and a lot of lousy writers do it themselves.

[sarah_prineas]

I totally agree with Greg on this one. Writers write. I don't think any "screening" is necessary.

[coppervale]

My post was in part a response to some of the queries I'm seeing agent friends getting, and some mail from aspiring writers I've been getting. They may write, and may be writers, but they aren't professionals yet - and I won't be vouching for them (as writers) with my editor, or agent, or Harlan, or Greg, or yourself. Not yet.

[sarah_prineas]

So you're a gatekeeper?

[coppervale]

Eeesh, I sure hope not.

I mean, I've had a lot of people approach me about passing along their novels and screenplays and whatnot to my agent, or manager, or editor. And in MOST of the cases, they see the act of their having written as sufficient reason for me to do it.

I'm not a gatekeeper - but if I didn't make a distinction between 'writers' and 'good writers', and passed along EVERYTHING I was asked to, it would tick off my editor/agent/manager, and diminish their view of my own judgment.

On the other hand, I had a friend who had written a handful of stories, and started a novel, who had approached an agent. He asked me about her at a book festival, and I told him with no hesitation, that he should represent her, and that she was already a formidable talent. And he did, and he ended up getting her a great deal with a stellar publisher.

[coppervale]

Let me add a distinction that (maybe) will clarify my point of view:

The way I intended the Harlan anecdote is regarding professional vs. amateur. If you write, you're a writer; if you write diligently, you're a diligent writer; if you write well, you're a good writer. I agree on all of those. But I'd say if a professional writer says you're a professional writer, then you are - published or not. That's the distinction I was making - not 'writer' alone.

[gregvaneekhout]

I appreciate the distinction you're making. I think each of us has to decide for him or herself what will make us feel like a professional, and I can see how acceptance from other professionals can factor into that decision.

[coppervale]

I apologize to you (and Sarah) I'm I'm not explaining very well. I'm one of the first out of the gate to tell new writers (as I do at schools) that it's largely up to them to decide to BE professional - even in the face of opposition or obstacles. I don't think external validation is necessary (although some days, it certainly helps). But there's been a slew of posts (lots via Colleen Lindsay) about writers who don't even follow query or submission guidelines, and hope to be treated as pros even when they weren't paying enough attention to act like pros.

[gregvaneekhout]

Aw, hey, you certainly don't owe me an apology.

I'd make a distinction between deciding whether or not someone is going to get my respect, based on their professionalism, and deciding whether or not they're a writer. Is that a distinction you'd make?

[gregvaneekhout]

I should say that I heard Harlan and others make the "not a writer until another writer says so" claim when I was just starting to write stories, and it irked me then. So, the Harlan anecdote pushed my buttons. Apologies if I was intemperate here.

[coppervale]

LOL... well, you convinced me that 'writer' is a designation made by oneself; but yes.

I have a good friend who is a very professional lousy writer. I respect him. I support him as much as I can. But there are limitations he's never going to get past - as a writer, not as a professional. Does that make sense?

[gregvaneekhout]

Yeah, that does make sense. I know people who work hard, follow submission guidelines, treat others with respect and courtesy, keep their nails clean, and I respect them and I respect their work ethic, but I think their writing stinks. I always hope I'm wrong about their ability. I mean, I really want to be wrong.