Claiming to be a Writer and Other Mistaken Assumptions
Today, anyone with access to a personal computer and the internet can publish a book and, technically at least, lay claim to the title of Writer, when actually they are not a writer in the traditional sense.
The established definitions of the words writer and literate reveal that the ability to write does not necessarily make one a writer.
The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary provides the following definitions:
Literate: Educated - Able to read and write.
Writer: One that writes esp. as a business or occupation - Author.
Not very long ago, a published author belonged to an elite group, since 97% of submitted manuscripts were routinely rejected, and still are, by tradtional mainline publishers. A number of independently and self-published books available in the market today would never make it beyond a mainline publisher's acquisition department.
Many independently and self-published books are just as good as, if not better than, some released through mainline publishers. Unfortunately, there are just as many that are so badly written, both technically and conceptually, that many readers avoid works by Indies and SPA's altogether.
To become a writer, in the true sense of the word, one must expend the time and energy to first obtain the knowledge and technical skills required: correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and narration techniques.
Some will agree and support this blog post. They are the ones who have already honed their writing skills and routinely produce polished, entertaining literary works that, unfortunately, too often do not receive the recognition they should.
Some will take offense and deride this post as nothing more than an arrogant rant. They are the ones who inspired me to write it.
The established definitions of the words writer and literate reveal that the ability to write does not necessarily make one a writer.
The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary provides the following definitions:
Literate: Educated - Able to read and write.
Writer: One that writes esp. as a business or occupation - Author.
Not very long ago, a published author belonged to an elite group, since 97% of submitted manuscripts were routinely rejected, and still are, by tradtional mainline publishers. A number of independently and self-published books available in the market today would never make it beyond a mainline publisher's acquisition department.
Many independently and self-published books are just as good as, if not better than, some released through mainline publishers. Unfortunately, there are just as many that are so badly written, both technically and conceptually, that many readers avoid works by Indies and SPA's altogether.
To become a writer, in the true sense of the word, one must expend the time and energy to first obtain the knowledge and technical skills required: correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and narration techniques.
Some will agree and support this blog post. They are the ones who have already honed their writing skills and routinely produce polished, entertaining literary works that, unfortunately, too often do not receive the recognition they should.
Some will take offense and deride this post as nothing more than an arrogant rant. They are the ones who inspired me to write it.
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