What It Means to Be an Author

In this post, I'm going to discuss what it means to me to be an author and the difference between noble writers and the ever-elusive author mantle.

The Journey of Writing

For many, the answer to becoming an author is simple: write. Yes, you should be writing. Nobody ever became an author without first putting words on a page. Spinning those idle flights of fancy and sudden inspirations into coherent sentences takes effort and skill. Simply put, it is the whole point of the endeavour.

I find breaking it down into an easy-to-remember cycle helps no end:

• Practice: The more writing you do, the better you'll become.

• Understand: The more you research your story components, the better you'll become.

• Repeat: The more often you write, the better you'll become.

• Replicate: The more you do, the better you'll become.

  
  

But even for those actually putting those elusive words on the page, it's not that simple, is it? Anyone can be a writer; some are great at what they do, while others, not so much.

Defining the Author

I've always had an idea in my mind of what an author should be. My personal criteria for what truly defines someone as an author, not just a writer.

Having at least one piece of your work published and available for public consumption (ideally for sale rather than free on a blog or other medium) is a key milestone. This can motivate you to continue growing as an author.

Being a serial loner and generally antisocial, this is the part I find most challenging: getting work out into the world. It pushes you to reflect on your progress and motivates you to keep going.

The Importance of Success

Having some success, even if limited, is a crucial marker. It shows that others have read, purchased, or enjoyed your work. This signifies real progress and encourages you to keep moving forward as an author.

This final step really makes the difference for me. A lot of people believe that being self-published on Amazon makes them an author simply because they have managed to string together a hundred or so pages of text.

I have to stress that I have no problem with people doing this. Everybody should be proud to show the effort they have put into a piece of work and to put it out into the wider world. I just don't think that they qualify as authors.

My Current Status

So far, I still consider myself only a writer. Between this blog, a technological thriller about to be self-published on Amazon, my debut novel (currently undergoing a massive reconstruction), and a folder with several others to start once this one is complete (in varying stages from thoroughly planned to a fundamental rough idea), I have a lot on my plate. If you are interested, you can check them all out on my timeline page.

I call myself a writer happily. It gives me a lot of pleasure to put my thoughts down in text. Even more, I love thinking that someone else may be getting a little enjoyment out of it, too. I want nothing more than to spend all day writing.

But one day, I would like to be an author.

The Path Ahead

As I look to the future, I know that the journey to becoming an author is ongoing. I’m constantly learning and evolving. Each word I write brings me closer to my goal.

I often remind myself that every great author started as a writer. They faced their own challenges and doubts. But they persevered. And that’s what I aim to do.

So, if you’re on a similar path, remember: keep writing, keep learning, and keep pushing forward. One day, you might just find yourself wearing that coveted author mantle.

Let’s keep this conversation going. What does being an author mean to you? What challenges have you faced on your journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts!