More Than a Writer
I do not mean to brag, but I consider myself a little more than a simple writer. I achieved my authorship when I was published.
I remember getting into a verbal debate with my English Comp professor because she did not believe I took her class seriously. My first question was what she was going to teach me about writing. She said she had a Master of Fine Arts degree from a prestigious university and had been teaching for five years. I countered with my 25 years of writing experience and at least half dozed publish credits. Afterward, we developed a truce.
I have had opinion pieces published in local newspapers, poems, and essays appear in compilations, and I was paid for an article published in a national magazine. I am unsure if my online credits were relevant so I did not include them. How I got my article in a national magazine is pretty humorous, but I will save that for another story.
I have heard a few of my contemporaries express disbelief about my approach and attitude towards writing in general. From my point of view, it makes sense.
When I write either an article or an essay, it is not important whether or not you agree with my point of view. I am simply expressing my opinion or showing what I have learned. My main goal is to understand so I welcome feedback. Feel free to tell me why if you have a different point of view.
It does not matter whether or not everyone likes my poems, stories, or novels. Fiction is a work of art and art is subjective. I do not mind hearing critiques rather than criticisms. I wouldn't say I like hearing, “I don’t like it”. If you do not like something I have written please tell me why. Maybe it could help me improve my writing.
Finally, I do not care whether or not people even like me. What I am selling is my ideas, thoughts, and words, not me. It would be nice if a lot of people like my writing so I can make a living with it. As a baby boomer, I grew up without social media so my self-esteem is not based on what other people think of me. This is how I am, What you see is what you get.