You Know You’re a Writer When…

Among the great swathe of unpublished writers, it can be difficult to know just when to call yourself a writer. Is it when you join your first writing course, when you begin your first novel, or when you finish your first draft? Do you have to be published to call yourself a writer? And what happens if you self publish? Learning to spot the traits of being a writer can help you and your family cope.

Here are some signs to help you diagnose the condition known as ‘being a writer’.

You know you’re a writer when:

• you have a pen and pad in every bag you own – you know, just in case divine inspiration strikes…it could happen.
• you go to cafes for the people watching, rather than the cake or the coffee.
• you have spent more than you care to admit on ‘how to write’ books.
• after you’ve enjoyed a book by a new author, you read the author blurb to calculate how old they were when they were first published and celebrate when they’re older than you are now.
• you see writing courses, Moleskin notebooks, tablets or laptops as worthwhile, if expensive, investments in your writing that could make all the difference.
• if friends ask ‘how’s the book going?’ you run from the room crying and wish you’d never told anyone about your futile endeavour.
• halfway through your latest project you suddenly realise that your idea is total crap and wonder how you ever deluded yourself to get this far with it. Gin is the only answer.
• writing ‘the end’ is the happiest moment in your life

Are you a writer? What are your symptoms?