By Heather Kreke @HKreke
Webster’s dictionary defines a writer as “one who writes.” It’s so easy for me to forget the real meaning. When my husband or close friends say, “She’s a writer.” I tend to shy away from the title because most times I don’t believe it’s true.
Published or not?
I hesitate to call myself a writer, because I haven’t published a novel, which is my ultimate goal. This most likely comes from the fact that when someone finds out I’m a writer, the first thing they ask is “are you published?” While, yes, I have a blog post here and there and yes, I’m in an anthology of essays, I have yet to hold that novel in my hands. That’s when I have to take a step back and remind myself the reason I write is not to be published. I write because it is my gift. I write because I feel it is what God is calling me to do. I write because I can not, not write.
If I’m not working on a book I’m not writing.
As strange as it might sound, for a long time I felt that if I wasn’t working on my novel, I wasn’t actually writing. A few months ago while working on a presentation for a marriage ministry with my husband, it hit me. I was writing. It didn’t matter that my efforts weren’t on my novel, a short story, an article, or a blog post. I was pulling from my personal experience, using creativity, and honing my craft. Anytime we put pen to paper (or in this age fingers to keyboard), we are writing.
Everyone is a writer.
It seems like everyone I run into is writing a book, would like to write a book, or has at least though about writing a book. It’s easy to get discouraged when it seems the market is so flooded with competition. The difference between writers that eventually get published and writers that don’t isn’t necessarily writing ability. Writers that get published face rejection and keep on trucking. They never give up. Gone With The Wind faced rejection thirty-eight times before it was published. That really puts things into perspective for me. Just because one publisher doesn’t like my work, doesn’t mean that there will never be a publisher that likes my story. It just means this is not the right time for me. If I keep refining my story and sharpening my skills, someday I will be published.
Things to remember.
If you are reading this post, you are most likely a writer. Believe it whether you are published or not. You are following your call to write.
It doesn’t matter what you are working on, keep honing the craft. Write because you love to write. Write because you can not, not write.
Most importantly, never give up.
Heather is a novelist who is passionate about showing teens and young adults they can find hope in God’s plan for their lives – even through the darkest times. She is published on numerous blogs and in the Christian Writers Market Guide. She also teaches a writing class at her church and completed coursework through the former Christian Writers Guild.
Heather is a mother of 3 redheaded girls and has been married to a redheaded husband since 2004.
The Conversation
Thank you for encouraging words, Heather.
Thank you!
Thank you for the encouragement. I hesitate to call myself a writer too because I’m not published and I don’t have a blog. But I write nearly every day. I write because I love to. As you stated, I can not, not write.
Thank you, Cheryl!
Heather, this is an excellent article. Too many of us think it’s all about writing a novel, but there are so many other important writings we do that lead up to the novel. Keep up your writing and soon your novel will find its place. Thank you for sharing this blog. I learned a great deal from it!
Thank you so much!