How To Become A REAL Writer

So yes, you write words. Sometimes pages worth of creatively arranged, emotive and descriptive words. But do you consider yourself a "real" writer?

Or do you continually find a hundred and one reasons to convince yourself that you're not a real writer at all, it's just a nice little hobby, or you're just playing around?

What kind of effect do you think this dilettante attitude has on your writing? It certainly won't inspire you to commit more time to the writing you love, and to enjoy your writing without feelings of guilt or inadequacy.

So here are 5 reasons why you're already a real writer. Read and recognise them in yourself:

1. You write often. Often doesn't have to mean you write for at least 14 of every 15 minutes. If you write even a couple of times a month, if you sit down specifically with the aim of writing down words and phrases you have in your mind, to express what's within you, to expand ideas and thoughts you have, then yep, you're A REAL writer.
2. You read on multiple levels. When you read anything, you read partly as a reader and enjoy the words and story on a surface level, but you also notice certain phrases that are effective and memorable, or descriptions that particularly sparkle. You're curious about how authors write and the techniques they use. You know what, that makes you a writer. Welcome aboard the good ship Jolly Writer!
3. You notice tiny details in your surroundings. When you visit somewhere, you're ever observant and notice many of the details that most people miss. The glass smudged with two different shades of lipstick on the next table, the way the clouds today appear to be sucked towards the sun, the delicious scent of a stranger brushing past in a bookstore. You're subliminally gathering writing ideas, and yes that means you're a real writer, my friend.
4. You try different kinds of writing. You don't sit down and write exactly the same sentence every time you write. You want to explore and develop your writing, try new styles, ideas, perspectives and techniques. You feel that writing the same words over and over again is not what writing is about. Give me an R - E - A - L, REAL! You're a real writer.
5. You appreciate the power of the written word. While others may get excited with the latest gadgets or technology, or the size of their new car or the diamond in their ring, you know that a few beautifully crafted lines of poetry can be more affecting and inspiring than all the technology and jewelry money could buy. You know that writing is a short cut to the soul. Congratulations, you're writer's full membership has been accepted!

You don't have to write for 15 hours a day and have published 6 novels and sold a million copies to consider yourself a writer.

It's a way of being, seeing and experiencing the world, not about sales and huge figures.

I'm confident you already do most of those things described above, without really thinking about it. So, guess what? You're now an official citizen of Writersville, welcome! Now start appreciating yourself more as a writer and go write!