I Am a Writer
By Julie Rowe

I am a writer.

I told myself that today.several times, but for some reason, I didn't feel like a writer. I felt like an impostor. Someone who was just pretending like a child pretends to be an astronaut or a mountain climber or a race car driver. Professions that sound glamorous, interesting and fun. Do those kinds of jobs make the person doing them interesting? Does the job make the person? Or does the person make the job?

Okay, so I'm a writer, but what is a writer? I thought about this question for a long time. This is what I came up with:

A writer is someone who writes. - That's a no-brainer.

A writer is an artist. - Nice, but it doesn't tell you much.

A writer is someone who conveys thought, action and emotion to others on paper (or computer screen!). - A little better.

A writer is someone who works when the mood strikes them. - Ha! Don't I wish.

A writer evokes emotion in others using the written word. - Yes! Any more?

A writer entertains through storytelling. - Another score.

A writer is honest. - Really? I thought this was supposed to be an easy job. *grumbles*

A writer gets paid to lie - Where's my money then!

A writer sits around all day in their pajamas, dreaming. - Why didn't anyone tell me that before?!

A writer is intelligent and articulate. - Well, of course!

A writer is prepared with a witty comeback to the line, "I've always wanted to write a book about myself." Or my all time favorite, "Do you practice all your love scenes before you write them to, you know, make sure they're physically possible?" - My answer, "Yes I do, repeatedly and with great enthusiasm."

A writer is a person who loves to write. - Finally, the perfect definition!

If this article has inspired you, Julie would love to hear from you at julie@julieroweauthor.com