Storytellers Unplugged

[lagilman]

My essay is up, here.


Interestingly enough, having very little to do with storytelling, and much more to do with reality-telling. I'm just contrary, I guess.

Comments

[deire.livejournal.com]

I liked your essay very much. I have to say that I like to write. I write essays. I'd like to write more in depth non fiction. I liked to write short stories. I like to write poetry. (I want to kick my own ass into getting to work on that novel.) It's all writing. Different types, yes. But still writing. I don't see how on earth expressing yourself in different forms on different topics could possibly make you less a writer or author.

[lagilman]

I don't see how on earth expressing yourself in different forms on different topics could possibly make you less a writer or author.


I respectfully disagree.

"Author" is a mindset. "Writer" is a career. "Professional writer" is someone who writes not only to express themselves, but to express what they're paid to write.

[deire.livejournal.com]

Okay. I should have taken semantics into better consideration. Apologies.

[lagilman]

you say seh-man-tics, I say sah-mahn-tics...

*grin*

Oooh, I get to use my writing icons!

[havocthecat]

"Author" is a mindset. "Writer" is a career. "Professional writer" is someone who writes not only to express themselves, but to express what they're paid to write.

See, I've always thought of an author as someone who's actually gotten paid for what they're writing, and a writer as someone who writes either for fun or in hopes of someday being paid for what they're writing. Is it typically thought of in the way you describe by those in the professional arena of the industry (whether tech, marketing, or fiction/non-fiction)?

And have I mentioned I totally love all the writing stuff you post about in your journal? So very interesting to read! Unfortunately, I rarely have the time to comment.

Re: Oooh, I get to use my writing icons!

[lagilman]

Is it typically thought of in the way you describe by those in the professional arena of the industry (whether tech, marketing, or fiction/non-fiction)?


I can only speak to my own perceptions and preferences. But yeah, at least in certain genre circles, someone who says they're "an author" is consdered to be chasing the end result (having a finished book), and less worried about the actual work (the writing thereof).

And anyone who says they "want to be an author" is like someone who says they "want to be a movie star."

Re: Oooh, I get to use my writing icons!

[havocthecat]

I can only speak to my own perceptions and preferences. But yeah, at least in certain genre circles, someone who says they're "an author" is consdered to be chasing the end result (having a finished book), and less worried about the actual work (the writing thereof).

Well, that's good information to have. :) Note to self: Do not refer to Those Who Have Been Published as authors.

You know, doesn't Those Who Have Been Published sound kind of...sinister? Like the writerly equivalent of Voldemort: They Who Shall Not Be Named. Um, I should mention I'm really caffeinated right now.

And anyone who says they "want to be an author" is like someone who says they "want to be a movie star."

*giggle* I just want to be published. And yet I also know I need to get off my ass first.

Re: Oooh, I get to use my writing icons!

[lagilman]

Note to self: Do not refer to Those Who Have Been Published as authors.

Nahhh. YOU can. It's... okay, I thought I was eplaining it better than this, but I guess not.

It's all perception -- self- and otherwise.

Re: Oooh, I get to use my writing icons!

[havocthecat]

*giggle* Hypercaffeinated and still not with it, that was me, maybe. :)