1. Lee DeVerdery

    Lee DeVerdery New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2017
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    2

    Who am I, and what am I doing here?

    Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Lee DeVerdery, Dec 13, 2017.

    Hello!

    Who am I, and what am I doing here, you ask? Great questions! I have no clue...

    I just read @MilatheRose's New Member intro in which s/he (how do you tell gender on here?) wrote "I don't really consider myself a writer. To do that I think you have to finish at least one book and then let someone else read it. I haven't accomplished that yet so I will go with type monkey for now." While I love the moniker "type monkey," and would like to borrow it for myself, I'm not sure I can agree with @MilatheRose's definition that a writer is only someone who has finished a book. If that is the case, please count me out of the writer category as well.

    I like to think that a writer is anyone who uses writing in any form - journaling, poetry, fiction-writing, scientific papers, etc - to grapple with what it is to be human. I do that. A lot. I've written a ton of poetry (though not so much lately), I journal regularly, and I've dabbled in creative fiction ranging from YA to fantasy to romance and erotica. So maybe I'm a writer? Yet I struggled when confronted with selecting a primary genre, and copped out by selecting general fiction.

    To be completely honest, I think I'm better as an editor than I am as a writer. I love writing, but I cannot keep myself from editing. It's nearly impossible for me to read something without at least proofreading, if not full on copyediting. And I also think it's a safe choice for me: I'm incredibly reticent to share my writing with others, because it's hard for me to not cross the line into writing for approval. I would rather write for myself than for others. I'm selfish, and suffer from a fragile ego. See? We're already learning plenty about who I am!

    As for what I'm doing here? I'm not sure yet if I'm here as a preamble to amping myself up to start sharing my writing, or to find a constructive outlet for my penchant for editing, or for some other, as-yet-undiscovered reason. Wherever I end up, I look forward to exploring with all of you.

    Warmly,
    Lee
     
  2. Trish

    Trish Damned if I do and damned if I don't Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    Messages:
    3,421
    Likes Received:
    2,083
    Location:
    New York
    Welcome to the forum, Lee :D
     
    Lee DeVerdery likes this.
  3. crappycabbage

    crappycabbage Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2017
    Messages:
    144
    Likes Received:
    140
    Location:
    Far Far Away
    I think a lot of us base the definition of "a writer" on personal goals, so reaching the point when we are comfortable calling ourselves writers differs a lot. I always liked the expression "writers write", so if you write; you're a writer. :) Welcome to the forums!
     
  4. JLT

    JLT Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2016
    Messages:
    1,857
    Likes Received:
    2,234
    Welcome to the forum. I liked how you titled this thread; it reminded me of the title of a book that has stuck in my head: Where Am I, Now That I Need Me?
     
  5. Lee DeVerdery

    Lee DeVerdery New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2017
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    2
    Great point, @crappycabbage! I appreciate the reminder that the definition of "writer" can be incredibly personal and means something different for different people. As long as we're applying our definition to ourselves, we're in good territory!
     
    crappycabbage likes this.
  6. Lee DeVerdery

    Lee DeVerdery New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2017
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    2
    Oooh, I'll have to check it out. Thanks!
     
  7. Homer Potvin

    Homer Potvin A tombstone hand and a graveyard mind Staff Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    12,141
    Likes Received:
    19,767
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    That's a good way of putting it. The best stories are almost always about the human condition, like life and death, love, loss, betrayal, etc....

    Welcome aboard!
     
    Lee DeVerdery likes this.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice