 |
Recently I had the opportunity to sit down and visit with the mother of one of my daughter’s friends that I only know casually.
The conversation when something like this:
Her, in a pitying tone: So, are you writing a novel from home?
(If there had been one of those cartoon bubbles over her head to show her thoughts, it probably would have read something like this: poor deluded thing, she thinks that she’s an author…)
Me, somewhat surprised at her tone: Actually, I do all of my writing for businesses. I write study guides and tests for business professionals, create content for companies that have websites, and develop instructional manuals for software systems. I have also done some newsletters.
(I didn’t even attempt to explain what a blog is to her.)
Her turn to be surprised: So you really do stay busy…
She sighs: I need to find something that I can do from home and get paid.
Unfortunately, her response is not all that unusual. When I tell people that I’m a writer they typically ask to read one of my books. That’s because, for most people the occupation title “professional writer” seems to be synonymous with the occupation title “book author.” Most people think that writing a book is the only way that a writer can get paid.
I ran across this post from my blogging friend, Nikki, that asks when you should call yourself a professional writer.
My opinion is that you are a professional writer if you are earning your living from writing, but I’m curious to find out what you think.
What do you think? At what point can you call yourself a professional writer?
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
18 responses so far ↓
1 Matt Keegan // Feb 20, 2008 at
Some people are daft when trying to wrap their minds around what we do.
I describe myself as a “freelance writer” and leave it at that until I get the usual questions which include:
“So, you’ve been published in a REAL magazine?”
“I didn’t know that businesses had blogs. Why is that?”
“How much do you get paid?”
Once in awhile someone “gets it” which makes me feel great, but the vast majority of people have no idea….
2 Laura // Feb 20, 2008 at
LOL Matt!
I like this one: “I didn’t know that businesses had blogs. Why is that?â€
3 Robert Hruzek // Feb 20, 2008 at
I know what you mean, Laura! I usually avoid the word “blog” at all costs when dealing with the , er, “uninitiated”…
Seems to me the term “professional” when applied to any endeavor, implies (at least to most people) that you are actually earning some income from it, no matter how much it actually is.
So yeah, I would say you’re a professional writer. I don’t make that claim, since I’ve never made a penny from my writing.
But I have no problem claiming to BE a writer.
4 Laura // Feb 20, 2008 at
Good points Robert!
So, where does professionalism begin and “just being a writer” end?
5 Chad // Feb 20, 2008 at
I am sitting on a cheap stool with bad posture, and I stare at my screen wondering how I can make it as a freelance writer. I mention the cheap stool because it’s position reminds me of my feelings at this point in life – not so good. Backing up a bit – I’m about to quit a Masters in Architecture for the freedom of making writing a way of life. Am I nuts? Most think so. Does the mention of school loans and loss of my time make a difference in changing my career ? Yes. However, I have lied to myself for a long time about my passion – so do-or-die – I will be a writer.
6 Sophia Levis // Feb 20, 2008 at
Darren Rowse over at problogger.com had a similar video podcast this week, talking about calling himself a “publisher” as opposed to a “blogger.” There’s a different sort of stigma there, I think, but the thoughts do translate to some degree.
Anyways, I’ve taken to calling myself a “freelance” writer. It sounds a lot better than “unemployed.”
Seriously, though, I do get a lot of questions when I say I’m a freelance writer. I explain that I don’t write books, but that I write articles for a variety of media in a variety of formats, from newspapers to magazines, to web sites. Occasionally I’ll throw out the term “technical” writer, but that gets even more puzzled looks than “freelance,” and I usually have to explain that, no, I don’t write computer manuals.
*sigh*
I bet bakers don’t get this many questions.
7 Naomi Dunford // Feb 20, 2008 at
Ha! That’s hilarious. I remember a time, very shortly after I’d met the woman who would become my mother-in-law. I had a day job at the time, and it was impossible for her to understand that I was making money writing as well.
Anyway, I had a magazine laying around, one to which I do not subscribe and isn’t exactly what one would assume I read. She asked about it, and I said I’d written one of the letters to the editor.
[gasp] “So you’re a published author?”
Despite the fact that my writing and marketing are the sole source of income in this household, she still tells me I might consider it as a career choice one day, if I try really hard and get really good.
8 laura // Feb 22, 2008 at
Hi Chad, Sophia, and Naomi!
It’s interesting to hear all the different stories that are out there. It’s even more amazing to hear that people still don’t understand, even after we explain what we do.
9 Nikki // Feb 24, 2008 at
Hi Laura! I still think it’s far more realistic for me to call myself a “freelance writer”. I guess I just view the word “professional” as something you do with a commute, business clothes, and a power lunch and not at home in my sweats with a little one beside me on the couch eating cheerios and drinking OJ while I watch Thomas the Tank for the 10th time and read Goodnight Moon. That is where the confusion lies and the fine line between professional writer and freelance writer get me.
10 Jeanne Dininni // Feb 25, 2008 at
Laura,
I believe that the first time one sells a piece of writing one becomes a “professional” writer (though, of course, this is academic). It really isn’t based on quantity. Nevertheless, to actually “make a living as a professional writer” is different and would require selling considerably more than one article.
Thanks for an excellent post!
Jeanne
11 Laura // Feb 25, 2008 at
Hi Nikki and Jeanne!
Of course, this is all a matter of semantics. If you are self-employed, then you can call yourself what you like.
I do think that a self-employed person has a responsibility to be as truthful and accurate as they can be when describing their occupation.
12 Alyssa // Mar 9, 2008 at
I get the same thing all the time, and though I do aspire to write a devotional book for teens, and I am working on it slowly. This isn’t what I do as a writer on a daily basis. I write for small businesses and online marketers for content for their website, blog, newsletter, etc. I also help with their letters and correspondence and help them create special reports and ebooks.
However many people who don’t work online do not even understand the terms I’m talking about, much less what I do.
13 Laura // Mar 10, 2008 at
Hi Alyssa!
It’s true, most people don’t understand how much content the web needs.
Thanks for dropping by!
14 Linda // Mar 21, 2008 at
Interesting article Laura, this is a subject that will always be a big question for new freelance writers.
I did read somewhere, forgive me I don’t know where it was, that you become what you think you are. And in this case you should believe you are a freelance writer because then you will become one. Not as an illusion but as a way for you to break that wall of fear that many of us have in the beginning. I believe that when your income comes from writing you can say that you are a writer yes.
In the beginning I was an aspiring writer now if someone asks me I say I am a pro-blogger/freelance writer/web designer. I support my family through blogging/writing and web design and thereof my profession title. Although when I say what I do here (I live in Brazil) no one really understands what I do since working at home online is not common.
Thanks for great articles, always nice to read!
15 10 Ways to Become a Writer (That Gets Paid) « Andrea Goulet // Apr 1, 2008 at
[…] Do You Call Yourself a Professional Writer? by Laura Spencer […]
16 Cartoon Pictures // Dec 4, 2008 at
I am sitting on a cheap stool with bad posture, and I stare at my screen wondering how I can make it as a freelance writer. I mention the cheap stool because it’s position reminds me of my feelings at this point in life – not so good. Backing up a bit – I’m about to quit a Masters in Architecture for the freedom of making writing a way of life. Am I nuts? Most think so. Does the mention of school loans and loss of my time make a difference in changing my career ? Yes. However, I have lied to myself for a long time about my passion – so do-or-die – I will be a writer.
17 Melanie Bluth // Dec 4, 2008 at
This is a great article becuase I am WAHM mother of 10! People always ask me to help out becuase I don’t seem busy (though I still have 10 kids and a full time freelance writing job and owner/operator of a small online coaching business) Amazing how happens. I think what really saved me was when I came in contact with Kim Power Stilson’s article that talks about how WAHM have “do it yourself”marketing”. She put the entire “WAHM” into perspective for me in just 24 hours (which is a nice change to help from a working mom who knows time is of the essence 😉 So I will make money from home for my family, watch my children, and get strange looks from the neighboors, but hey, I am a success.
18 Chris // Mar 29, 2009 at
Boy howdy I would love to pick your brain. I am having so much trouble getting from point “a” to point “c”. I can not find point “b” to save my life. I have the creativity of a great writer. I have very good grammar. I have the talent to make money doing what I love to do.
The problem is finding point “b”. I know little to nothing about how to make money blogging. I have no luck finding sites for freelance writers. I believe that I have everything setup, but I do not know.
If you are willing to share with me some information then I would greatly appreciate it.
Chris