I’m heading to the Festival of Festival of Faith and Writing later this week, which is essentially a three-day binge on books and writing. I always come back feeling refreshed and reminded why I’m in love with words. In anticipation of the festival, here’s my list of signs that you’re a writer.
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A writer is someone who quilts words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, paragraphs into stories, and stories into something that will keep us warm at night.
- A writer is someone who delights in finding precisely the right word at the right time . . . with the right word count.
- A writer is someone who hears the siren call of laundry and Facebook and Netflix but somehow manages to keep rear in chair long enough to string some words together.
- A writer is someone who wakes up in the middle of the night scrambling for a pen to capture those nocturnal wisps of stories.
- A writer is someone who kills her darlings (but marks their graves in case they can be brought back to life one day).
- A writer is someone who notices the little things other people miss. The gunmetal-gray of an April sky. The smell of new grass in spring. The old woman in the shadows with a story to tell.
- A writer is someone who slows down time to help the rest of us pay attention.
- A writer is someone who knows that words don’t appear magically out of thin air; they come out one idea, one keystroke, one drop of blood at a time.
- A writer is someone who believes that words have the power to start a conversation, build a bridge, and remind us that we’re not alone.
- A writer is someone who believes that words have the power to change the world, or maybe just one person. And that maybe that’s the same thing.
In honor of writers everywhere, I’m giving away a writing journal today. It was made in Thailand by precious women who are trying to get on their feet again after being exploited and trafficked. You can find out more about Women at Risk’s ministry here, and you can find more products like this journal here.
To be eligible to win this journal, simply answer this question: What do you think makes someone a writer? How have words made an impact in your life?
One of my fondest memories from the Festival of Faith & Writing is when a certain someone ordered a “Chewbacca” at dinner one night.
Ha ha! Erin, that brought back lots of fun memories! Wish you could join us this year.
A writer is someone who is energized by the very act of writing, who stays up late to complete a blog post and afterwards cannot easily fall to sleep. To me, words comprise a medium of expression that is similar to paint for a visual artist or tones and rhythm for a musician.
Yes, so true! Well said, Holly. The rhythm and paint of writing!
I’m finding that using the right word to express a thought takes time an effort. It is most gratifying to get it right! Can identify with having ideas come and steal away sleep!
Yes, I agree, Pat. There is nothing like the satisfaction of finding just the right word.
I have to say, reading your list makes me even more sure I am NOT a writer ( I have never had a thought so important at night that I would give up sleep for it 🙂 ) but I am so thankful for people like you who share their gift and perspective with the rest of us! Love you and hope you have the best time at your conference! 🙂
Thanks, Aimee…the world needs READERS too! You’re a great one. 🙂
You know you are a writer if a thought doesn’t become real until you write it down.
Ah, so true! I often don’t know what I think about something until I pin it down with words.
I think what makes a writer is the ability to take everyday, even mundane things and record them in a way that people have either never thought of before, or can closely identify with.
Words have impacted my life very deeply. I write them, read them, speak them, sing them, and draw them. Only when I write does the real me step foward and assert himself. Any other medium is just smoke and mirrors. Writing opens my soul.
So well put, Craig! I love that: “Writing opens our souls.”
Thanks for the warm welcome over at Pick Your Portion. And I love this list. The first one, a writer is someone who quilts words together . . . wow, love that imagery!
Thanks for stopping by, Danielle!