Are you a writer?

decides2dream

i am not a writer. i do occasionally write, but i don't have this *need* to write...or not too often in any case. however, yes, i do consider myself an artist....b/c yes, i do make art. i subscribe to the line of thinking, in this regard anyway, you are what you do. i may not work on my art daily...sometimes i even go weeks...and in really bad times...months....w/o it. however, i am usually doing something creative, and art-related....but i digress. one does not need to be a professional....does not need to get paid, publish, exhibit...to be considered anything. at least that is what i have always told my former students. you make art, you are an artist. to me it really is that simple. now to say if you are good or bad....well that's a whole other question there.

FinsburyParkCarrots

Alright, I admit it. I was being the bloke in Monty Python's argument room.





You're all good writers. That's why I come here. But I love a debate.

Danny Boy

One theme I notice to be steadfast in this thread is the willingness of many of you to not describe yourselves as writers. I write a fair bit, have been doing so for about 9 years, never been published. I do find things that inspire and when they make their appearances, I put pen to paper and strive to capture whatever happens to need capturing with a thought that will lend meaning and memory. If you do this as well, you're putting forth more effort than that of most. Just my opinion.... Don't be afraid to call yourself what you are ~ Cheers, Danny

Ms. Haiku

tchaliz wrote:

If I were a wise man I would answer,
when i'm thirsty i drink, when i'm tired i sleep.

i'm not a wise man and i'm not a writer,
T

Is it Ok if I consider you a poet? Will you be offended and consider me immature? hmmmmmm

soulsinging

FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:

Alright, I admit it. I was being the bloke in Monty Python's argument room.





You're all good writers. That's why I come here. But I love a debate.

oh, oh, im sorry... this is abuse. you wanker!

Ms. Haiku

FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:

Alright, I admit it. I was being the bloke in Monty Python's argument room.





You're all good writers. That's why I come here. But I love a debate.

Bloke, bloke, Fins a bloke!!! Thank goodness you're not a promise keeper - inside joke from a moving train thread.;)

FinsburyParkCarrots

soulsinging wrote:

oh, oh, im sorry... this is abuse. you wanker!

http://www.mindspring.com/~mfpatton/sketch.htm

grooveamatic

Calling myself a poet would be like riding my bike to the train station and calling myself a 'cyclist.' What I would instead say is that I occasionally ride a bike. I'm not a writer, but I write poetry.

This is not false modesty or self-loathing insecurity. Instead it is simply a concerted effort to not seem pompous, or to not lend myself more creedence than I deserve. How many of you have met 'writers' who ruined any enjoyment you may have gotten from their work because they were so caught up in calling themselves a 'writer' and living the lifestyle and imagining themselves in the canons of the future? I know I've sure met plenty of them.

Like Fins said, a 'writer' or a 'poet' must somehow interact with society, change things in some way (I'm not talking about being President, but change the way a pebble changes the surface of a lake)....I am proud of my poetry. I think I write good poetry. But sometimes a label is more than just semantics. I babysit my nephews every now and then. I don't tell the folks at my job that I am a father.

Ms. Haiku

tchaliz wrote:

Oh yes!
Many poets are immature so i'm not surprised you are too...
hmmmmmmm
T

Thank you, T!