Hmmm, after careful consideration and much thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t I understand how to answer the topic this week.
Not be a writer?
What? That makes no sense. You see, I’ve always been a writer. When I was a kid. In high school. Through college and beyond. I’ve always written. The only difference between then and now is that my work is published and I get paid for it.
But, I really don’t think being published is the qualification for being a writer. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I am super fortunate to be where I am. For me, publishing has always been a goal. And, it continues to be my passion. I want to write books…steamy, saucy, sexy kissing books, for everyone to enjoy. I’m lucky I get to do that. But, it’s not what qualifies me (or anyone) as a writer.
A writer is a person who sees a situation, has a fleeting thought, hears a piece of music, feels an emotion so strongly they get goosebumps, lets a new taste tickle their tongue, or smells the early morning after a cold rain and is called to jot it down. On a napkin. On a laptop. On the back of a crumpled up receipt that’s been in their purse since 2016.
A writer is someone who takes notice of those little insignificant things no one else notices and thrusts them into the spotlight, tells the stories that hide in the shadows and corners, shares the experiences of people they dream about after long nights of plotting.
And, it never stops. Just because someone doesn’t do it professionally, or for money, doesn’t mean they’re not a writer.
‘Cause they are.
So, I can’t imagine not doing what I’m doing. And, if there’s a time when my writing career is no more and I seek a different job, I will still be a writer. Maybe I’ll work in a library, maybe a bookstore. Maybe I’ll go back to teaching…maybe I’ll be a lifeguard again. But no matter what job I take, when I come home at night, when the house is quiet and everyone’s alseep, I’ll sit in my big, comfy chair, laptop fully charged, and write some more.
Because no matter what, I am a writer. And, I’ll always be.