The Definition of a Writer

The definition of a writer? Phew!!! I never really thought about it, and it is turning out to be really harder than I thought. Well, from a layman’s point of view (and take it from me—I am a layman in my entirety), a writer is someone who writes.

Someone who writes, you say, if that’s the case, we are all writers. And you are right!

Remember that last time you wrote a letter to your grandma? Okay, maybe you do not have one, or perhaps your poor granny is too old to read. But remember that email you sent to your best pal John? Oh, and let’s not forget that text message you sent to Nancy; which of course, you spent long hours composing, and carefully selecting the right words. To be fair, maybe you are not the amorous type and are into more serious stuff—like writing resumes or job applications. But I am sure you have got my point—we all write!!!

If this is the way it is, why the heck should we seek the definition of a writer? Let me ask you this pointed question: Do you want to be a writer? If your answer is yes (and I have a subtle feeling it is) then that already tells us that not everyone is a writer. If we all were, why would anyone conceive himself as not being one and arduously pursue such a conventional occupation? Indeed, we are looking beyond the layman’s rather simplistic point of view.

Oh, by the way, you have to know this fundamental truth: the first step to becoming what you want is to know what it is that you want to be. So there we are—the reason why we need to know!

To get the engines started, I looked up the meaning of the word ‘writer’ in the dictionary. Boy, I was almost sent reeling into fits of laughter. I discovered that the layman point of view is not so simplistic after all!

One dictionary (the Oxford concise dictionary) states as one of it’s definitions of a writer: “A person who writes or has written something.” The rest of them pretty much point in the same direction. I think we are already done with that definition. Let us try something else.

I looked up the word in the Encarta dictionary with a hint of despair, and finally I found something close to what I was looking for. One of its definitions for this word is as follows:

“Someone who writes books or articles professionally.”

Now is that not what we are seeking? Note the two things in this definition. First, it specifies what is written—books or articles. It follows therefore that the writer is that one who writes stuff serious enough to be compiled into a book. Ah…that reminds me of that other word: ‘author’, which is a nearly perfect synonym of the word ‘writer’. However, an author or originator does not always have to be a writer. That is why you would hear me saying—and that is if you really pay attention—that my kid brother is an author of pandemonium.

Second, note that rather frightening word ‘professionally’. This seems to tell us that the writer is not just a frivolous scribbler. He takes his work i.e. his writing, seriously. Okay, serious enough to call it his profession. However, this definition seems to imply that one has to attend college or something of the sort to become a writer and that certainly does not seat well with me.

So after a while of scratching my head I finally settled for the third definition:

“Someone who can write, who writes well or who enjoys writing.”

The later part of this definition makes more sense, don’t you agree? Not only should we write well, but we should enjoy it too. To be honest, most of us—if not all—have the ability to write. But not everyone likes doing it often. In fact, I have heard a number of people complaining about how hard it is for them to write a text message and that they would rather just make a phone call. Of course, I have my own reservations about sending messages but people who wince away from writing do not at all costs qualify as writers!

It follows therefore that the writer is one who enjoys writing and does it at every possible opportunity. He is the one who gets intensely excited at even the slightest opportunity to write down his thoughts in a form that will appeal to people.

If, when you look at everyday things, you see in them something to write about; if, when you see those who suffer much and yet do not have a voice to speak up, you want to be their voice; if, upon realizing how wrong things are, you want to let everybody know; if, when you think of those skills that you possess, you desire to share them with others; yes, if, you have that burning desire inside you to write, that unfading desire to write everyday, then you most certainly are—without a shadow of a doubt—a writer.

Return from The definition of a writer to Motivation Corner

writing-lovers Home