This post had to come eventually.
Calling yourself a writer takes some level of audacity. You have to be stupid enough to think that just sitting down and writing is all it takes.
What’s funny is that it’s true. All you have to do is sit down and write.
In my little life, I’ve come across so many people who call themselves writers, either because one of their pieces were published, or they shared a drink once with some published author, or attended some festival once upon a time. Most of the time these folks can’t remember the last time they’ve written. (No shade intended).
Then there are the non-writers. The ones who grimace and swear they have nothing to do with the craft, and only admire ‘proper’ writers with hardcovers to their names. These are the ones who are scribbling constantly in notebooks, on napkins, in the notes app on their phone.
Of course, I’m not saying quantity is better than quality - but quantity is how you commit to quality.
Another thing: in a cluttered, work-from-home, boundaryless world, how can you sit down to just write? Does the space maketh the writer? Nikita Biswal tackles this in her interview series ‘The Writing Desk’ for Spacebar Magazine. This one’s my favourite, with Aanchal Malhotra’s approach to all things writing.
Beyond the desk: join your local writer’s community. Writing is solitary, but writers need other writers. Out here in Bahrain, I know of Bahrain Writer’s Circle (which was formed on a literal dark, stormy night) - and Writer’s Meets (read: literary salon) with The Misfits, hosted by yours truly.
But what if you can’t write, even though you want to?
Don’t be afraid to consume. Let it go. Let all the pro writers do their thing, and you do yours. Read. Join a book club. Listen to a podcast. You can’t cook when you’re hungry.
Do you call yourself a writer? How do you keep honing your craft? What do you do when that terrible Block appears? Let me know in the comments on Substack, or tag me in your Instagram story @kvrnj.
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Wishing you plenty of scribbles,
Kaav.