Writer…Blogger…Who The Heck Am I?

Posted on by Deb

“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.”

Rosalia de Castro

In the most basic way I think we can agree that writers string words together, usually with the desire to have them make sense to others in a coherent manner. Those words may be factual, or made-up. They may tell truths or lies. They may hurt, or help. Writing cannot be writing if there are no words. Yet there must also be a connection with the reader as the words on the page are consumed. I mean, why write if no one is interested in reading. 

What then is blogging? Bloggers fit all the basic criteria of the writer, yet I think most bloggers use a formatted style where they share their thoughts, emotions, lifestyle, maybe advice. Perhaps our purpose is different overall than say a fiction writer however we do put words out there with the intent to form connections with our readers. 

Some (many) bloggers are also WRITERS. I emphasize that word because no matter how many times I have been labeled as a writer my brain cannot wrap itself around, nor make the association that the word WRITER signifies who I am. There is a great deal of irony in what I just wrote. My personal blog, once I moved to WP from Google Blogger years ago, was originally titled I Am Therefore I Write, a silly little play on Rene Descartes. Never meant to intend that I was or would ever be a WRITER. 

Sure, I can toss a bunch of words onto my screen, usually spell them correctly (or depend on autocorrect), struggle with punctuation always, yet still get most of my ideas down in a rambling sort of way. I come back again and again to this idea that I should call myself a writer. Yet that word seems like too much. It seems like high praise for this action of churning out words for all of you to read. My perhaps naive image of a WRITER is full with dusty space and low light. A lone figure scribbling away with pencil or pen on scraps of paper filling each page with emotion. Ceramic mugs filled with cold, stale coffee sit on a window sill or perch on the corner of the desk- ready to crash to the floor with the slightest bump. This solitary figure is unmoved by the world outside; their sole purpose is to get word upon word onto the page until the moment when triumphantly they scrawl The End on the final sheet of paper and their masterpiece is ready for the world.

Truth here- that description is so not me, except maybe for the cold coffee part because I’ve been known to forget that I made a cup, especially when I’m trying to figure out what to write about on the blog. We are exploring a bit on creativity this month, looking at the when’s, why’s and how’s that inspire our creative side. When I read that word, creativity, there was nothing-a blank image, a dark void. No images of a playful muse in my head. No grand revelations came to mind of inspiring moments or sparks of brilliance that made me rush to my keyboard.

I entered into this journey as a writer for The Heart of The Matter having no concept of what I was going to put down for you to read. I generally blog with a purpose, but the topics tend to be utilitarian at best on my personal blog. They are snippets of my life with a bit more content and background. I often see myself as a glorified Facebook deserter. The easiest way to explain what sparks my writing is, I think, to simply leave my answer at luck? Chance? A momentary blip in the space-time continuum? I am going to coin a new(?) phrase however: situational creativity. If you need a definition simply use: a creative spark that comes out of nowhere and may have no explanation.

Sometimes things just fall into place and I follow the advice of Rosalia de Castro- putting one foot in front of the other while traveling to unknown places. I think it’s safe to say you may never know what you’re going to get from me but I hope you enjoy walking alongside me on my travels.

56 thoughts on “Writer…Blogger…Who The Heck Am I?”

  2. I love this post! Your description of the writer pumping out a working and signing it with “The End” – it’s so vivid that even as you are saying you aren’t a writer, you are disproving the point! And situational creativity? That’s a great new phrase. The way you juxtapose this along with the quote at the beginning – yes, the curiosity keeps us walking.

    I love walking along this path with you, Deb. You are always curious, open to exploration, interesting, amusing, and good at putting words on paper. To me — that’s creative!! ❤

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    1. That writer image may simply mean that I have read way too many Gothic novels in my time. Perhaps I need to let that go 😉 Thank you friend for your kind words. I tend to come to a level of acceptance just before scheduling and most days am pleased with what pops out of my brain and onto this space.

      Just had to toss in that “situational” word as it’s been coming up a lot lately, but I think it applies in my case as well. Thankful you are along with me Wynne- just make sure you have your compass with you for our travels as I like to veer off the path at times 😉

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    2. I love having friends on this journey who keep my spirits up and who can guide me when I stumble or have doubts. Thank you Vicki- traveling with good people is always better than traveling alone 🙂

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    1. Brian, thank you! Yes, it is a very neat feeling indeed- both the knowing that folks read but also when they leave wonderful, caring, insightful and often thought-provoking comments about what I write. I feel like I’m doing “my job” as a writer when that happens 🙂

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  7. You are a writer because you write and others read what you write. Simple as that. 🙂 As you note, there are many purposes to writing and we bloggers fulfill a need for connection, venting, advice, glimpses into other people’s lives and locales, etc. I love getting up, making my coffee, then sitting down to read blogs.

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    1. Okay, I will define myself as a writer! You are right about all the things blogging offers to ourselves and the people we know because we put ourselves out there to the world. Blogging means a great deal to me, and the people who I feel I know because of blogging feel like dear friends- even before I know them in real life 🙂

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  8. A pleasure to walk with you, Deb. I do hope, however, we blog writers don’t crowd out the needed spot in the space/time continuum (thank you Star Trek) for great newspapers and classic books.

    The former are folding and the latter vanishing from college curriculums. No professional newspaper or journal in which I have appeared ranks me with the greatest writers who, I hope, all educated people read.

    For you I have space. Keep up your good work!

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    1. Once more Dr. Stein, you are much too kind, thank you! How can it be that you are not sitting with the likes of Chaucer, or Shakespeare, Michener, or… on all those dusty shelves bound up in fine leather, or maybe torn dust jackets for the newer group 😉

      You have an honorable and reserved spot always on my journey!

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      1. Shakespeare, yes, without the dust and leather. Makes one a better writer, too, but the lack exposure to the greatest minds of present and past gives me pause about the future of our children and our world. That and more.

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      3. When the exposure to masterworks is placed second to vocational preparation, as is now happening in many fine universities, it is a fool’s errand. We are creating an uneducated generation of bright young people who know less about the lofty thoughts of great philosophers and writers than their predecessors who sat in the same seats.

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  9. I can relate to this, Deb. When I was in high school, a teacher told me I was a terrible writer and I should “just stick to typing”. Those words stayed with me my entire life. After I started my blog, I realized that every job I’ve ever had involved writing in some form or another and I’m actually pretty good at it. So yes! We are bloggers and we are also writers! I enjoy your writing and I’m glad we connected.

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    1. Well I certainly hope that teacher was asked to leave soon after that comment Michelle. I often need to remind myself that putting all teachers on a pedestal for their dedication and ability may need more careful consideration when I hear stories like that. I agree- we are defined as both writers and bloggers and I think we all do a darn good job! Thank you for coming along on the journey Michelle 🙂

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  10. I think that’s the beauty in blogging–we can take it day-day-day and write about whatever we want. There are no rules or expectations… hell, there isn’t even a requirement to show up. I think the low-pressure environment gives those hesitant to call themselves writes and safe space in which it gently lean into the identity and gain some confidence.

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    1. I love that way of looking at writing Erin and I agree. I’m not writing a novel here- just sharing my life and my thoughts. I always write the way I speak, which may be hard for some folks and I compare myself to those who are so extremely eloquent with their words… Maybe someday, but if not then at least I’m getting a whole lot of practice! Thanks for the pep talk 🙂

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      2. Brenda- you are filling my first morning reading with such insightful and wonderful comments. You have me smiling and thankful that you are a part of this community. I don’t know how to do anything differently. I simply know that, when the thoughts finally come, my fingers take over and the words that I would speak to another person sitting next to me are what show up on the screen. I think that means I can be trusted to be authentic! If I would blurt out the words verbally I would also without hesitation toss them onto my screen 😉

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      3. Glad to help 🙂 I do the same – generally its what I’d say talking to someone. I find with the guidance posts I produce, sometimes it is what I have said in the past

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      4. I can always see the educator side in those posts and hope that your students appreciate how much you care and fully invest in what you teach. It shows in those guidance posts. I for one always learn something new!

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  12. I know what you mean about the term “writer” but isn’t it really just a label? For me, a writer is someone who creates in written form. I think we take our idea of what a writer is from a more historical context, but as more and more writing is carried out online, we can all contribute – much more easily than when words required to be published in a newspaper, magazine etc. Thinking logically – we are all writers Deb, we just need to let our emotional selves catch up

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    1. Brenda, you are such a wise human being! In the simplest of terms yes- writer means nothing more than denoting that I put words down for others to read. I do hold the historical form of writing in my head quite strongly though. Books of all types have always been an integral part of my life and it seems magical to me that a person can create so much that is profound or moving or filled with wisdom. Yet when I read your words I realize that we all do just that, although on a screen, and it really is no different. I also see what you did there- appealing to my logical brain–very clever indeed 😉 Again though- so correct. Thank you for giving me a true sense of myself as being worthy to label myself as a writer. 🙂

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      2. I like having someone on this journey who is full of wisdom but who also has those moments of questioning themselves… How about if we both take your advice and proceed without denial that we are Writers and fully believe that what we have to say is worthwhile, and important for the world to read 🙂

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    1. So glad you are along for the journey! It continues to be a pleasure to read your words and interact on this platform with you Ann. I love the way you tell simple, heartfelt real life stories!

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  14. “A creative spark that comes out of nowhere and may have no explanation.” That pretty well sums it up for me. I’ve asked that question often. I don’t consider myself a writer. I can’t make up an interesting story and keep people enthralled. You write from the heart and experience. Your writing is relatable. You make us think and move us with emotion. It’s not an easy task. I started blogging to find any other human that had encountered Bells Palsy in the debilitating way that I had. So far, not a one but what I found was a supportive community and a way to start conversations. Writing is a way to put light on what’s lurking underneath. Blogging is having others to shine their light on it too. You are a very bright person with a lot of life experience. Writing here is a great way to share that and enlighten us. I may quit writing but never stop reading.

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    1. Oh Marlene, the best part of this whole comment, and it is lovely and kind and genuine and I thank you deeply, is the last sentence. I will hold that even if your words are missing, you will be reading and knowing that I am thinking of you.

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    1. Michelle, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad there were parts of this post that resonated with you. I think we write to share a part of ourselves and there is no right or wrong way to be a blogger. I love that you chose to begin, as that is always the hardest part and now you get to see where blogging takes you. I hope it is a great journey. We have great writers here on The Heart of the Matter. I hope you will look around, read their work as well if you haven’t already, and come back to read often. Welcome to blogging 🙂

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