I think the fraud feeling being a writer comes from the traditional mindset of giving value with our writing. I think the joy of being one is that we can share our thoughts and make an impact in people's lives. Having massive followers/readers is a direct and more obvious feedback for our efforts.
However, I think what we forget is how much indirect impact could be meaningful and helpful in ways we cannot imagine. That we can create a movement in a person's brain to shift their thoughts and behaviors that could lead them to a better positive outlook on life. We don't see this feedback loop, but it's what fuels us to share and write in the first place. We share our thoughts as reflections, as a mirror, so others can learn more about their life through our experiences and forge a path for improvements and a better future.
If you call yourself a fraud, I am too. I remembered my experience in a college for a class I needed to attend to get this student leadership role. The feedback I got was mostly how bad I am at writing. But I did get into the team and the job because of something greater than traditional academics to be helpful for prospective students.
Now, I have a habit of writing my thoughts and reflections. Although still inconsistent, I do call myself a writer. Even as I feel insecure about grammar and the rules of writing, I'll probably be stubborn to learn it all again since I'm not a big fan of rules, haha. The most important thing is, I am a writer because I am a story teller. I am a writer because I am filled with life experiences. And I want to surround myself with writers because I have some things to say and to learn.
So, let's cheer on our ongoing journey as writers. Mine is still a long way to go as I want people to be able to play my life stories as I write my reflection on life. But, thanks for being one of the flames that helps to affirm this journey forward.
The question that pops into my mind is, does it depend upon the context in which you are introducing yourself?
For example, if you are describing yourself in terms of your primary vocation, perhaps you aren’t a writer. (Then again, arguably, you are.) but if you are describing yourself in terms of your interests, talents, or passions, “I am a writer” might be entirely fair game.
I suppose for myself, I've avoided the problem by refusing to categorize myself. I sell my labor a couple of days a week to a concrete contractor, another day a week to a carpenter, and the other couple days to bookkeepers, but I don't call myself any one of those things. Some of the rest of my time, I devote to studying philosophy and writing about it via my publication here on Substack, but I call myself neither philosopher nor writer. There are things I do for currency, there are things I do to help my community, there are things I do that I enjoy and that speak to my soul.
That's not to say I've never categorized myself. I've called myself a musician on several occasions, but I do try my best to avoid doing so. Because in my experience, when you categorize yourself, it leads people to preemptively judge you and what you do, to compare you to their favorite examples of those categories. Consciously or not, you know they're doing that. And that can be a major blow to confidence.
I suppose it all boils down to a need that most people have for an identity, and having that aforementioned categorization applied to yourself can certainly be a part of that for some. Of course, most of those categories really only apply in relation to other people. You would have no need of them if you were alone on this planet.
For me though, the soul behind this physical body just isn't concerned with identity. And I think it helps guard my ego against self conscious worry.
I realize this comment is very rambly, hopefully it makes some sense
I think the fraud feeling being a writer comes from the traditional mindset of giving value with our writing. I think the joy of being one is that we can share our thoughts and make an impact in people's lives. Having massive followers/readers is a direct and more obvious feedback for our efforts.
However, I think what we forget is how much indirect impact could be meaningful and helpful in ways we cannot imagine. That we can create a movement in a person's brain to shift their thoughts and behaviors that could lead them to a better positive outlook on life. We don't see this feedback loop, but it's what fuels us to share and write in the first place. We share our thoughts as reflections, as a mirror, so others can learn more about their life through our experiences and forge a path for improvements and a better future.
If you call yourself a fraud, I am too. I remembered my experience in a college for a class I needed to attend to get this student leadership role. The feedback I got was mostly how bad I am at writing. But I did get into the team and the job because of something greater than traditional academics to be helpful for prospective students.
Now, I have a habit of writing my thoughts and reflections. Although still inconsistent, I do call myself a writer. Even as I feel insecure about grammar and the rules of writing, I'll probably be stubborn to learn it all again since I'm not a big fan of rules, haha. The most important thing is, I am a writer because I am a story teller. I am a writer because I am filled with life experiences. And I want to surround myself with writers because I have some things to say and to learn.
So, let's cheer on our ongoing journey as writers. Mine is still a long way to go as I want people to be able to play my life stories as I write my reflection on life. But, thanks for being one of the flames that helps to affirm this journey forward.
The question that pops into my mind is, does it depend upon the context in which you are introducing yourself?
For example, if you are describing yourself in terms of your primary vocation, perhaps you aren’t a writer. (Then again, arguably, you are.) but if you are describing yourself in terms of your interests, talents, or passions, “I am a writer” might be entirely fair game.
I suppose for myself, I've avoided the problem by refusing to categorize myself. I sell my labor a couple of days a week to a concrete contractor, another day a week to a carpenter, and the other couple days to bookkeepers, but I don't call myself any one of those things. Some of the rest of my time, I devote to studying philosophy and writing about it via my publication here on Substack, but I call myself neither philosopher nor writer. There are things I do for currency, there are things I do to help my community, there are things I do that I enjoy and that speak to my soul.
That's not to say I've never categorized myself. I've called myself a musician on several occasions, but I do try my best to avoid doing so. Because in my experience, when you categorize yourself, it leads people to preemptively judge you and what you do, to compare you to their favorite examples of those categories. Consciously or not, you know they're doing that. And that can be a major blow to confidence.
I suppose it all boils down to a need that most people have for an identity, and having that aforementioned categorization applied to yourself can certainly be a part of that for some. Of course, most of those categories really only apply in relation to other people. You would have no need of them if you were alone on this planet.
For me though, the soul behind this physical body just isn't concerned with identity. And I think it helps guard my ego against self conscious worry.
I realize this comment is very rambly, hopefully it makes some sense