There are lots and lots of authors out there but do they all have the same intentions. Do they all have the same skills? Do they all make time to write? An article at Jane Friedman’s site, “What it Means to Be a Writer,” pretty much explains that being a writer means you're actually writing. Another article at Writer Unboxed says the same thing. If you write, you're a writer. It's plain and simple. There’s a Bit More Though Anyone can write every day. Anyone can self-publish books. Anyone can put up a blog. But what’s the quality of these endeavors, or more importantly, what’s the intent? And what effort is spent? This is where there is a distinction between a writer and a working writer. A WORKING WRITER Being a working writer means you're writing toward creating professional books or content. Your goal is to become a successful writer, a career writer. You make writing a priority, and you put for the effort to learn the craft of writing. You understand and commit to what’s involved. The working writer usually focuses on one or two genres so to become an expert in those genres rather than a jack-of-all-trades. Working writers understand about marketing their books and services. They realize this will mean investing more time and, most likely, money. To be a working writer: -You learn the craft of writing and keep honing your craft. -You create a writing schedule and make time to write every day. -You learn about marketing and create a schedule and put it into action. -You have a professional website. -You get up earlier or go to bed later to get writing time in. Or you write through lunch breaks. You do what it takes -You squeeze time in between taking care of the kids, cooking, cleaning, other jobs, and so on. -You write instead of watching TV or going on social media. -You have a purpose for your writing, and you strive to produce professional work. -You write to create and sell books or you work for clients. You might do both. Whatever it takes, you do it. You hone your skills by practicing and work to achieve your writing goals. No matter what genre you want to write in, you work to be skilled in it. Your goal may be to write for magazines. You may want to become a web writer, copywriter, or content writer. It could be you want to become a ghostwriter, graphic writer, or script writer. Again, whatever arena you want to write in, you work hard to professional and successful. I would add here that a professional writer earns money as a writer. A WRITER -Being a creative or hobby writer means the writer writes when the feeling moves them. They write because they enjoy it. -Writing isn’t a priority. There can be days or weeks that go by without any writing. It may be the one book you published was enough. You got it out of your system. -Hobby writers write for themselves. They’re not concerned about the marketplace. Because of this, they can write in multiple genres. -They’re usually not aware of industry standards. -These writers usually don’t invest in marketing as they’re not concerned about making money. -The creative writer may or may not realize the importance of learning the craft of writing. -While some hobby writers may be professional, others will write a book without knowing about dialogue, plot, story arc, character arc, setting, and so on. -The hobby writer doesn't have long-term writing goals. Bottom Line The working writer is a professional. These writers make learning the craft of writing a priority, and they continually strive to improve their skills. Whether or not they have a different full or part-time job, writing is a business to the professional writer. Creative writers enjoy writing and write for their own pleasure. They’re not concerned about the marketplace so can write in many different genres. They write when they want to. There's no commitment involved. This type of writer does not consider writing a business. So, based on all this, which type of writer are you? Sources: https://annerallen.com/2014/01/is-writing-hobby-or-profession-for-you/ https://writerunboxed.com/2019/03/04/what-it-means-to-be-a-working-writer/ https://copywriters.com/blog/post/professional-writer-vs-creative-writer-difference
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be author of, one that’s publishable and marketable. You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com. Or, you can give me a call at 834---347---6700 Or, if you’d rather do-it-yourself, check out my book, How to Write a Children’s Fiction Book.
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