August 3rd, 2009 / 12:12 pm
Snippets
Snippets
Blake Butler—
Do you refer to yourself as a writer? When people ask you what you do do you say Oh, I’m a writer?
-
Archives
- January 2023
- February 2022
- September 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- August 2017
- July 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
-
Meta
usually i dont. id rather avoid the followupquestions: ‘oh what do you write about?’ etc. i dunno.
usually i dont. id rather avoid the followupquestions: ‘oh what do you write about?’ etc. i dunno.
usually i dont. id rather avoid the followupquestions: ‘oh what do you write about?’ etc. i dunno.
Last night, at 1:30 am, the customs official asked me “what do you do?” and I said “nothing” and then pointed to my husband.
Last night, at 1:30 am, the customs official asked me “what do you do?” and I said “nothing” and then pointed to my husband.
haha
haha
Last night, at 1:30 am, the customs official asked me “what do you do?” and I said “nothing” and then pointed to my husband.
haha
I prefer the verb — action over identity. I write.
I prefer the verb — action over identity. I write.
I prefer the verb — action over identity. I write.
I haughtily inform the asker that I’m not a writer, but actually a troubadour without a sound.
I haughtily inform the asker that I’m not a writer, but actually a troubadour without a sound.
I haughtily inform the asker that I’m not a writer, but actually a troubadour without a sound.
do you?
do you?
seconded.
seconded.
do you?
seconded.
Umm, yeah, sometimes.
I’d rather talk about that than the job that pays the bills.
Umm, yeah, sometimes.
I’d rather talk about that than the job that pays the bills.
Umm, yeah, sometimes.
I’d rather talk about that than the job that pays the bills.
I usually say, I hang out.
I usually say, I hang out.
yes. that is preferable for sure.
yes. that is preferable for sure.
I usually say, I hang out.
yes. that is preferable for sure.
Ditto what Tim-Yelvington-Jones said. I dunno, maybe secretly I think about being a writer to myself, but out loud to other people, I dunno – it never seems like a good idea.
Ditto what Tim-Yelvington-Jones said. I dunno, maybe secretly I think about being a writer to myself, but out loud to other people, I dunno – it never seems like a good idea.
Ditto what Tim-Yelvington-Jones said. I dunno, maybe secretly I think about being a writer to myself, but out loud to other people, I dunno – it never seems like a good idea.
There’s this sub-species of slush-pile cover letters where the author describes the moment he first realized — generally after some crystallizing life-change or trauma — that he was “a writer.” Some cases, this realization came before any actual writing! and sometimes he makes business cards that label him as such (and “author” and “editor, too, if he’s really on the stick), to do away with any lingering doubts.
which is cool! published, unpublished, people can call themselves whatever they want. i don’t do it. think I only would if i had a massive critical and commercial success. then i’d do it, on an airplane, when the woman sitting next to me started in with the small talk:
her: “and what do you do?”
me (shyly): “i’m a writer.”
her: “really? what do you write?”
me (shyly): “oh, just novels. ya know.”
her: “how wonderful! anything i would have heard of?”
me: “YOU EVER HEAR OF THE CORRECTIONS YOU DUMB BITCH!?!?!?! NOW LET ME READ MY FUCKING SKYMALL MAGAZINE IN PEACE I NEED SOME GPS DOG COLLARZ!!!!!”
There’s this sub-species of slush-pile cover letters where the author describes the moment he first realized — generally after some crystallizing life-change or trauma — that he was “a writer.” Some cases, this realization came before any actual writing! and sometimes he makes business cards that label him as such (and “author” and “editor, too, if he’s really on the stick), to do away with any lingering doubts.
which is cool! published, unpublished, people can call themselves whatever they want. i don’t do it. think I only would if i had a massive critical and commercial success. then i’d do it, on an airplane, when the woman sitting next to me started in with the small talk:
her: “and what do you do?”
me (shyly): “i’m a writer.”
her: “really? what do you write?”
me (shyly): “oh, just novels. ya know.”
her: “how wonderful! anything i would have heard of?”
me: “YOU EVER HEAR OF THE CORRECTIONS YOU DUMB BITCH!?!?!?! NOW LET ME READ MY FUCKING SKYMALL MAGAZINE IN PEACE I NEED SOME GPS DOG COLLARZ!!!!!”
There’s this sub-species of slush-pile cover letters where the author describes the moment he first realized — generally after some crystallizing life-change or trauma — that he was “a writer.” Some cases, this realization came before any actual writing! and sometimes he makes business cards that label him as such (and “author” and “editor, too, if he’s really on the stick), to do away with any lingering doubts.
which is cool! published, unpublished, people can call themselves whatever they want. i don’t do it. think I only would if i had a massive critical and commercial success. then i’d do it, on an airplane, when the woman sitting next to me started in with the small talk:
her: “and what do you do?”
me (shyly): “i’m a writer.”
her: “really? what do you write?”
me (shyly): “oh, just novels. ya know.”
her: “how wonderful! anything i would have heard of?”
me: “YOU EVER HEAR OF THE CORRECTIONS YOU DUMB BITCH!?!?!?! NOW LET ME READ MY FUCKING SKYMALL MAGAZINE IN PEACE I NEED SOME GPS DOG COLLARZ!!!!!”
i think whatever you do the most during the week, or where you get your money from is what you are. i’m an administrative assistant 40hrs a week and that’s my paycheck so i’m an “administrative assistant.”
the reason why people don’t trust the phrases “i’m an artist,” “i’m a writer,” “i’m a musician,” etc. is because anyone can say it. there should be a rule: you can’t call yourself something unless you either do it 30hrs a week, or make at least 10 – 20K a year from it. i’ve meet too many jackass writers and musicians in my life who just smoke pot and watch TV.
we need to get the IRS involved with this, like maybe a C-1009 form where you have to check either “jackass” or “seriously.”
i’m not kidding, this life is real.
i think whatever you do the most during the week, or where you get your money from is what you are. i’m an administrative assistant 40hrs a week and that’s my paycheck so i’m an “administrative assistant.”
the reason why people don’t trust the phrases “i’m an artist,” “i’m a writer,” “i’m a musician,” etc. is because anyone can say it. there should be a rule: you can’t call yourself something unless you either do it 30hrs a week, or make at least 10 – 20K a year from it. i’ve meet too many jackass writers and musicians in my life who just smoke pot and watch TV.
we need to get the IRS involved with this, like maybe a C-1009 form where you have to check either “jackass” or “seriously.”
i’m not kidding, this life is real.
i think whatever you do the most during the week, or where you get your money from is what you are. i’m an administrative assistant 40hrs a week and that’s my paycheck so i’m an “administrative assistant.”
the reason why people don’t trust the phrases “i’m an artist,” “i’m a writer,” “i’m a musician,” etc. is because anyone can say it. there should be a rule: you can’t call yourself something unless you either do it 30hrs a week, or make at least 10 – 20K a year from it. i’ve meet too many jackass writers and musicians in my life who just smoke pot and watch TV.
we need to get the IRS involved with this, like maybe a C-1009 form where you have to check either “jackass” or “seriously.”
i’m not kidding, this life is real.
I smoke pot and watch TV. In fact, thank you Jimmy, for reminding me of what I want to do this evening!!!!
I don’t mind what people call themselves or how much money they make doing it. I just like people to be nice. I don’t like jackasses, whether they call themselves anything at all or not. But you make a good point, I guess.
I smoke pot and watch TV. In fact, thank you Jimmy, for reminding me of what I want to do this evening!!!!
I don’t mind what people call themselves or how much money they make doing it. I just like people to be nice. I don’t like jackasses, whether they call themselves anything at all or not. But you make a good point, I guess.
I smoke pot and watch TV. In fact, thank you Jimmy, for reminding me of what I want to do this evening!!!!
I don’t mind what people call themselves or how much money they make doing it. I just like people to be nice. I don’t like jackasses, whether they call themselves anything at all or not. But you make a good point, I guess.
i’m really bad at the question, “What do you do?”
maybe i’ll start saying, “I watch movies sometimes.”
whoever said something about hanging out should get this shirt:
http://www.howsyouredge.com/features/images/2009_05_28_ebay/dtnHang.jpg
i’m really bad at the question, “What do you do?”
maybe i’ll start saying, “I watch movies sometimes.”
whoever said something about hanging out should get this shirt:
http://www.howsyouredge.com/features/images/2009_05_28_ebay/dtnHang.jpg
i’m really bad at the question, “What do you do?”
maybe i’ll start saying, “I watch movies sometimes.”
whoever said something about hanging out should get this shirt:
http://www.howsyouredge.com/features/images/2009_05_28_ebay/dtnHang.jpg
No, I quote Sly Stone and sing:
My only weapon is my pen
And the frame of mind I’m in.
I’m a songwriter, A poet.
I’m a songwriter, A poet.
And the things I flash on everyday
They all reflect in what I say.
I’m a songwriter I’m a poet
I’m a songwriter, oh yeah a poet.
No, I quote Sly Stone and sing:
My only weapon is my pen
And the frame of mind I’m in.
I’m a songwriter, A poet.
I’m a songwriter, A poet.
And the things I flash on everyday
They all reflect in what I say.
I’m a songwriter I’m a poet
I’m a songwriter, oh yeah a poet.
No, I quote Sly Stone and sing:
My only weapon is my pen
And the frame of mind I’m in.
I’m a songwriter, A poet.
I’m a songwriter, A poet.
And the things I flash on everyday
They all reflect in what I say.
I’m a songwriter I’m a poet
I’m a songwriter, oh yeah a poet.
awesome
awesome
awesome
In the unreal world, where I go when I’m writing, yes of course I call myself a writer – if you’re someone who loves writing and words, why wouldn’t you?
But this isn’t the unreal world. Far from it. Like Jimmy – and I expect like most people here – a large part of my week is taken up with the mundane reality of holding down a job to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head so that in the evenings and at the weekends, I can retreat to that unreal world and call myself a writer (in my head).
I expect I might be speaking for a lot of people here when I say that I’d love to call myself a writer and tell people I’m a writer. But I’m a web editor.
In the unreal world, where I go when I’m writing, yes of course I call myself a writer – if you’re someone who loves writing and words, why wouldn’t you?
But this isn’t the unreal world. Far from it. Like Jimmy – and I expect like most people here – a large part of my week is taken up with the mundane reality of holding down a job to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head so that in the evenings and at the weekends, I can retreat to that unreal world and call myself a writer (in my head).
I expect I might be speaking for a lot of people here when I say that I’d love to call myself a writer and tell people I’m a writer. But I’m a web editor.
In the unreal world, where I go when I’m writing, yes of course I call myself a writer – if you’re someone who loves writing and words, why wouldn’t you?
But this isn’t the unreal world. Far from it. Like Jimmy – and I expect like most people here – a large part of my week is taken up with the mundane reality of holding down a job to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head so that in the evenings and at the weekends, I can retreat to that unreal world and call myself a writer (in my head).
I expect I might be speaking for a lot of people here when I say that I’d love to call myself a writer and tell people I’m a writer. But I’m a web editor.
Happily I share a name with a pretty famous romance writer. TSA ladies recognize my name in airport security. I’m like “have you heard of the corrections, you dumb bitch” and then I pick up my shoes and go
Happily I share a name with a pretty famous romance writer. TSA ladies recognize my name in airport security. I’m like “have you heard of the corrections, you dumb bitch” and then I pick up my shoes and go
Happily I share a name with a pretty famous romance writer. TSA ladies recognize my name in airport security. I’m like “have you heard of the corrections, you dumb bitch” and then I pick up my shoes and go
sometimes i’m embarrassed to tell people that i write. so i usually don’t.
anyone else feel slightly embarrassed?
maybe if i ever get a large chunk of writing published i won’t feel so strange about it.
sometimes i’m embarrassed to tell people that i write. so i usually don’t.
anyone else feel slightly embarrassed?
maybe if i ever get a large chunk of writing published i won’t feel so strange about it.
sometimes i’m embarrassed to tell people that i write. so i usually don’t.
anyone else feel slightly embarrassed?
maybe if i ever get a large chunk of writing published i won’t feel so strange about it.
yrs is better :(
yrs is better :(
yrs is better :(
I don’t think what a dilettante, hack, wannabee, or whatever decides to call themselves should dictate what a person who is serious about their craft, who is focused on the art of putting words together on paper, who calls writing his or her vocation, should or should not call themselves. Nor do I think how much money a person makes from their art, their writing of any kind, should be a measure by which they should call themselves a writer or artist. Nor do I think the amount of credits one has should be that measure. What counts is the work, the focus. Are you serious? Are you dedicated? There are just too many examples of great writers/artists who, for countless reasons — everything from the most nefarious external forces to all sorts of internal choices — made little or no money in their lifetime or otherwise from their writing or art. There are too many incredible writers/artists who created innovative work that never saw the light of day in their lifetime, or to an incredibly small degree, that one should not be discouraged about working silently away, believing in his or herself.
For instance, how much did Wallace Stevens make from his poems while he was still alive? For most of his life he worked as a lawyer for an insurance company. Besides producing significant, challenging, inventive poetry, he also shattered the idea that poetry was the province of the young.
Or a little closer to home, Shane Jones has written one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read in some time. Ask him how many copies of Light Boxes have been sold. Or ask Adam Robinson. Will Shane Jones be a writer, only after his book gets made into a movie and he gets a chunk of change? The idea is ludicrous.
Maybe we need to ask some of the people we unequivocally regard as writers/artists, how much they actually make from writing. Most of the writers/artists I love are making their living doing something else. I’m sure any list of writers/artists who hardly make any money from writing/making art, whose time is swallowed by other cares, responsibilities, demands, etc. would be staggering.
However, if you want to call yourself whatever based on how you make your money, or how you’re perceived by others, that’s your business too.
‘Money’ and ‘writing’ in the same sentence to me seems so beside the point I can’t even think about it anymore.
‘Money’ and ‘writing’ in the same sentence to me seems so beside the point I can’t even think about it anymore.
‘Money’ and ‘writing’ in the same sentence to me seems so beside the point I can’t even think about it anymore.
In the context, that is, of ‘creative writing,’ versus like writing about plants for plant planters.
In the context, that is, of ‘creative writing,’ versus like writing about plants for plant planters.
In the context, that is, of ‘creative writing,’ versus like writing about plants for plant planters.
well said, but i’m still leery about calling myself anything, whether it’s ‘writer’ or ‘avid collector of soft-core 1930s pornography’. there’s just something about self labeling that feels false somehow to me.
well said, but i’m still leery about calling myself anything, whether it’s ‘writer’ or ‘avid collector of soft-core 1930s pornography’. there’s just something about self labeling that feels false somehow to me.
what i was hoping to hear about, instead, was the faculty of considering one’s self a ‘writer’ as opposed to considering one’s self someone who happens to write a lot.
i know a lot of people who take highly the concept of ‘being a writer’ and most of the time when they talk about it i want to cry.
what i was hoping to hear about, instead, was the faculty of considering one’s self a ‘writer’ as opposed to considering one’s self someone who happens to write a lot.
i know a lot of people who take highly the concept of ‘being a writer’ and most of the time when they talk about it i want to cry.
well said, but i’m still leery about calling myself anything, whether it’s ‘writer’ or ‘avid collector of soft-core 1930s pornography’. there’s just something about self labeling that feels false somehow to me.
what i was hoping to hear about, instead, was the faculty of considering one’s self a ‘writer’ as opposed to considering one’s self someone who happens to write a lot.
i know a lot of people who take highly the concept of ‘being a writer’ and most of the time when they talk about it i want to cry.
Hmm, you know, I’d say trying to define, or pin the “self” in any kind of conclusive way is probably a treacherous act.
Hey, are you addressing a kind of insincerity or an over-sincerity from these people? Dishonesty? Smugness.
Smugness?
not really a question of sincerity, but more a question of self importance, or importance about the ‘act of writing’
as if writing is any more important than painting a house
not really a question of sincerity, but more a question of self importance, or importance about the ‘act of writing’
as if writing is any more important than painting a house
not really a question of sincerity, but more a question of self importance, or importance about the ‘act of writing’
as if writing is any more important than painting a house
I was introduced to Jonathan Evison once at a party, and the person said, “This is Matthew. He’s a writer.” I sort of demurred, got a little sheepish and embarrassed.
Evison kind of scolded me for it. “C’mon! Don’t do that. Own up to it!”
I like to write. I like to write more than I like to do almost everything else. I’m owning up to it when asked because I would rather talk about it with people than talk about the rest of my day.
I don’t wear a sign or carry a card or anything.
I was introduced to Jonathan Evison once at a party, and the person said, “This is Matthew. He’s a writer.” I sort of demurred, got a little sheepish and embarrassed.
Evison kind of scolded me for it. “C’mon! Don’t do that. Own up to it!”
I like to write. I like to write more than I like to do almost everything else. I’m owning up to it when asked because I would rather talk about it with people than talk about the rest of my day.
I don’t wear a sign or carry a card or anything.
I was introduced to Jonathan Evison once at a party, and the person said, “This is Matthew. He’s a writer.” I sort of demurred, got a little sheepish and embarrassed.
Evison kind of scolded me for it. “C’mon! Don’t do that. Own up to it!”
I like to write. I like to write more than I like to do almost everything else. I’m owning up to it when asked because I would rather talk about it with people than talk about the rest of my day.
I don’t wear a sign or carry a card or anything.
‘This is Matthew. He’s a masturbator.’
Own up! At the party!
;)
‘This is Matthew. He’s a masturbator.’
Own up! At the party!
;)
‘This is Matthew. He’s a masturbator.’
Own up! At the party!
;)
or
‘This is Matthew. He has a mother.’
Own up!
or
‘This is Matthew. He has a mother.’
Own up!
or
‘This is Matthew. He has a mother.’
Own up!
I totally have that first sign.
I totally have that first sign.
I totally have that first sign.
I think the conversation about self-identification as a writer or as something else is an interesting one, but I think it should be acknowledged that the question, “What do you do?” is an abbreviation for “What do you do for a living?”
Not that people aren’t willing to talk (Mr. Simmons) about your avocations, but because most people’s priorities are in line with their income, that’s what people inquire about, and as a consequence, the tail end of the question was dropped like a useless appendage.
I think the conversation about self-identification as a writer or as something else is an interesting one, but I think it should be acknowledged that the question, “What do you do?” is an abbreviation for “What do you do for a living?”
Not that people aren’t willing to talk (Mr. Simmons) about your avocations, but because most people’s priorities are in line with their income, that’s what people inquire about, and as a consequence, the tail end of the question was dropped like a useless appendage.
I think the conversation about self-identification as a writer or as something else is an interesting one, but I think it should be acknowledged that the question, “What do you do?” is an abbreviation for “What do you do for a living?”
Not that people aren’t willing to talk (Mr. Simmons) about your avocations, but because most people’s priorities are in line with their income, that’s what people inquire about, and as a consequence, the tail end of the question was dropped like a useless appendage.
Well, I mean, mediocre house painting is probably more important than mediocre writing, but great writing is, in a number of measurable ways, more important than great house-painting. That said: telling someone “I’m a house painter,” doesn’t have the chafey, self-important overtones of “I’m a writer” — maybe ‘cos house-painting is viewed as a craft, and a set of concrete practices. Which writing is, too, but “being a writer” can be deployed as an empty abstraction to defend against all that. Why would you need to read lots of books, or develop your own skills: you’re already “a writer” — just bang something out and go, fuck the nuts-and-bolts stuff. This just as true of the old hack with ten novels to his credit as the unpublished guy with the “writer/author” business cards.
Of course there are plenty of great writers who have been called, and called themselves, “writers.”
Well, I mean, mediocre house painting is probably more important than mediocre writing, but great writing is, in a number of measurable ways, more important than great house-painting. That said: telling someone “I’m a house painter,” doesn’t have the chafey, self-important overtones of “I’m a writer” — maybe ‘cos house-painting is viewed as a craft, and a set of concrete practices. Which writing is, too, but “being a writer” can be deployed as an empty abstraction to defend against all that. Why would you need to read lots of books, or develop your own skills: you’re already “a writer” — just bang something out and go, fuck the nuts-and-bolts stuff. This just as true of the old hack with ten novels to his credit as the unpublished guy with the “writer/author” business cards.
Of course there are plenty of great writers who have been called, and called themselves, “writers.”
Well, I mean, mediocre house painting is probably more important than mediocre writing, but great writing is, in a number of measurable ways, more important than great house-painting. That said: telling someone “I’m a house painter,” doesn’t have the chafey, self-important overtones of “I’m a writer” — maybe ‘cos house-painting is viewed as a craft, and a set of concrete practices. Which writing is, too, but “being a writer” can be deployed as an empty abstraction to defend against all that. Why would you need to read lots of books, or develop your own skills: you’re already “a writer” — just bang something out and go, fuck the nuts-and-bolts stuff. This just as true of the old hack with ten novels to his credit as the unpublished guy with the “writer/author” business cards.
Of course there are plenty of great writers who have been called, and called themselves, “writers.”
i’ll reword myself:
as if writing is any more refined a skill than painting a house
i’ll reword myself:
as if writing is any more refined a skill than painting a house
i’ll reword myself:
as if writing is any more refined a skill than painting a house
That sounds right.
“What do you do?”
“I wrote two novels and teach high school english.”
or
“I cover sports for the Star Tribune”
or
“I’ve been on the professional base jumping circuit, but I’ve started writing some stories now and am hoping to get together enough to make a book.”
or
“I’m a house painter.”
None of these give me that same twinge of annoyance as: “I’m a writer,” full stop.
That sounds right.
“What do you do?”
“I wrote two novels and teach high school english.”
or
“I cover sports for the Star Tribune”
or
“I’ve been on the professional base jumping circuit, but I’ve started writing some stories now and am hoping to get together enough to make a book.”
or
“I’m a house painter.”
None of these give me that same twinge of annoyance as: “I’m a writer,” full stop.
That sounds right.
“What do you do?”
“I wrote two novels and teach high school english.”
or
“I cover sports for the Star Tribune”
or
“I’ve been on the professional base jumping circuit, but I’ve started writing some stories now and am hoping to get together enough to make a book.”
or
“I’m a house painter.”
None of these give me that same twinge of annoyance as: “I’m a writer,” full stop.
I don’t know, Blake. I’m all for modesty and class sensitivity. But as someone who’s painted houses and written books, I’ve gotta say the latter is by far the more difficult skill to master. I’m not sure what you mean by “refined,” maybe.
I don’t know, Blake. I’m all for modesty and class sensitivity. But as someone who’s painted houses and written books, I’ve gotta say the latter is by far the more difficult skill to master. I’m not sure what you mean by “refined,” maybe.
I don’t know, Blake. I’m all for modesty and class sensitivity. But as someone who’s painted houses and written books, I’ve gotta say the latter is by far the more difficult skill to master. I’m not sure what you mean by “refined,” maybe.
how about building the house then.
building a house vs writing a book
how about building the house then.
building a house vs writing a book
how about building the house then.
building a house vs writing a book
Once you label me you negate me. -Søren Kierkegaard
Once you label me you negate me. -Søren Kierkegaard
Once you label me you negate me. -Søren Kierkegaard
it takes a lot more memorized facts and abstract ideas to build a house.
it takes a lot more memorized facts and abstract ideas to build a house.
it takes a lot more memorized facts and abstract ideas to build a house.
doesn’t this long discussion about being a ‘writer’ infuse the same writerly self-importance into everyone who is discussing it? Spending our time thinking and discussing writer things is about the same thing to me. This whole website is an I-am-a-writer-talking-about-writing declaration.
doesn’t this long discussion about being a ‘writer’ infuse the same writerly self-importance into everyone who is discussing it? Spending our time thinking and discussing writer things is about the same thing to me. This whole website is an I-am-a-writer-talking-about-writing declaration.
doesn’t this long discussion about being a ‘writer’ infuse the same writerly self-importance into everyone who is discussing it? Spending our time thinking and discussing writer things is about the same thing to me. This whole website is an I-am-a-writer-talking-about-writing declaration.
i think that would/might say something about your mind/filter as much or more so than the site itself, darby.
i think that would/might say something about your mind/filter as much or more so than the site itself, darby.
i think that would/might say something about your mind/filter as much or more so than the site itself, darby.
But, yeah, sometimes it’s just practical. And if it makes you feel good, say it. etc.
But, yeah, sometimes it’s just practical. And if it makes you feel good, say it. etc.
But, yeah, sometimes it’s just practical. And if it makes you feel good, say it. etc.
why is the declaration of being a writer self-important but the participation of being a writer is not?
why is the declaration of being a writer self-important but the participation of being a writer is not?
why is the declaration of being a writer self-important but the participation of being a writer is not?
by participation, i mean engaging in things that are writerly, not actually writing.
by participation, i mean engaging in things that are writerly, not actually writing.
by participation, i mean engaging in things that are writerly, not actually writing.
i dont know, answer seems obvious to me, pretend you understand the answer more than the question and answer it? i’m serious
i dont know, answer seems obvious to me, pretend you understand the answer more than the question and answer it? i’m serious
i dont know, answer seems obvious to me, pretend you understand the answer more than the question and answer it? i’m serious
i don’t know the answer. oh well.
i don’t know the answer. oh well.
i don’t know the answer. oh well.
The length of this discussion makes me feel icky, so how’s this: I only know one person that actually calls herself a writer and she’s a reclusive, unemployed Pratt student who doesn’t really do anything else except read/write, so the statement is a factual definition. Any usage by anyone else makes my stomach curdle.
The length of this discussion makes me feel icky, so how’s this: I only know one person that actually calls herself a writer and she’s a reclusive, unemployed Pratt student who doesn’t really do anything else except read/write, so the statement is a factual definition. Any usage by anyone else makes my stomach curdle.
The length of this discussion makes me feel icky, so how’s this: I only know one person that actually calls herself a writer and she’s a reclusive, unemployed Pratt student who doesn’t really do anything else except read/write, so the statement is a factual definition. Any usage by anyone else makes my stomach curdle.
i generally just said i gut and sell fish in a gorcery store but i don’t do that anymore so i don’t know. as far as i’m concerned being an artist or a writer or a musician is about hard work and none of the romantic i’m special bullshit that some people seem to find so attractive and makes them want to go to art school or whatever so that they can call themselves a word. but whatever. if you do it you probably are it. doesn’t much matter so long as you don’t suck.
i generally just said i gut and sell fish in a gorcery store but i don’t do that anymore so i don’t know. as far as i’m concerned being an artist or a writer or a musician is about hard work and none of the romantic i’m special bullshit that some people seem to find so attractive and makes them want to go to art school or whatever so that they can call themselves a word. but whatever. if you do it you probably are it. doesn’t much matter so long as you don’t suck.
i generally just said i gut and sell fish in a gorcery store but i don’t do that anymore so i don’t know. as far as i’m concerned being an artist or a writer or a musician is about hard work and none of the romantic i’m special bullshit that some people seem to find so attractive and makes them want to go to art school or whatever so that they can call themselves a word. but whatever. if you do it you probably are it. doesn’t much matter so long as you don’t suck.
answer: myself
answer: myself
answer: myself
i fold jeans, endless rows of jeans.
i fold jeans, endless rows of jeans.
i fold jeans, endless rows of jeans.
Atfer a certain point, you’re a habituated writer, same as a drug addict. You lose self-consciousness about it. It’s what you do. It’s who you are. How you spend your time. It intercedes in relationships. Lots of your friends are writers, and you consider long-dead writers your friends, too. You spend lots of time alone writing when you could be out “living life.” Your job supports your writing habit. You choose a profession that best fits your writing habit. The prospect of getting work done after a day of work makes your job doable. You read fiction and watch movies and pay attention as a writer. Tax statements etc have little to do with it. You never write in a moleskine journal or wear a writerly hat or behave in anyway that’d blow your cover as someone who spends a lot of time with their head immersed in worlds that don’t exist. You’re humble about it, therefore. No one cares whether you do it or not. Successes are more rare than failures. Successes lose their luster after a weekend. After awhile, all that’s left is the daily habit of composing and editing and reading. Something like that, plus sports and sex and music and drinks and food.
Atfer a certain point, you’re a habituated writer, same as a drug addict. You lose self-consciousness about it. It’s what you do. It’s who you are. How you spend your time. It intercedes in relationships. Lots of your friends are writers, and you consider long-dead writers your friends, too. You spend lots of time alone writing when you could be out “living life.” Your job supports your writing habit. You choose a profession that best fits your writing habit. The prospect of getting work done after a day of work makes your job doable. You read fiction and watch movies and pay attention as a writer. Tax statements etc have little to do with it. You never write in a moleskine journal or wear a writerly hat or behave in anyway that’d blow your cover as someone who spends a lot of time with their head immersed in worlds that don’t exist. You’re humble about it, therefore. No one cares whether you do it or not. Successes are more rare than failures. Successes lose their luster after a weekend. After awhile, all that’s left is the daily habit of composing and editing and reading. Something like that, plus sports and sex and music and drinks and food.
Atfer a certain point, you’re a habituated writer, same as a drug addict. You lose self-consciousness about it. It’s what you do. It’s who you are. How you spend your time. It intercedes in relationships. Lots of your friends are writers, and you consider long-dead writers your friends, too. You spend lots of time alone writing when you could be out “living life.” Your job supports your writing habit. You choose a profession that best fits your writing habit. The prospect of getting work done after a day of work makes your job doable. You read fiction and watch movies and pay attention as a writer. Tax statements etc have little to do with it. You never write in a moleskine journal or wear a writerly hat or behave in anyway that’d blow your cover as someone who spends a lot of time with their head immersed in worlds that don’t exist. You’re humble about it, therefore. No one cares whether you do it or not. Successes are more rare than failures. Successes lose their luster after a weekend. After awhile, all that’s left is the daily habit of composing and editing and reading. Something like that, plus sports and sex and music and drinks and food.
i agree with everything you said, except “plus sports and sex and music and drinks and food.”
i agree with everything you said, except “plus sports and sex and music and drinks and food.”
i agree with everything you said, except “plus sports and sex and music and drinks and food.”