Claiming to be a Professional Writer Does Not Make It So
Hundreds of thousands of people may legitimately claim to be a published author. Almost all published authors claim to be a professional writer. Many actually are. Quite a few are not. Realizing that the previous statement may incur the wrath of those who mistakenly presume themselves to be a professional writer, allow me to provide the evidence upon which it is based.
The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary provides the following definitions:
Profession - A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long academic preparation.
Professional - One that engages in an activity professionally.
Using these definitions as a guideline, one should study and become proficient in applying the necessary knowledge and skills associated with writing professionally in order to become a professional writer. They would include spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and narration techniques. Those who have expended the energy, effort, and time to study and then effectively apply these skills are indeed professional writers. Those who have not are not. It is as simple as that.
No stigma should ever be attached to those who do not possess the knowledge or skills required to become a professional writer. Some simply have no desire to do so. Their talents and ambition are focused upon some other goal. However, those who refuse to first learn the craft before practicing it, all the while claiming to be a professional writer, deserve whatever ridicule and criticism are heaped upon them and their work.
Not everyone who loves to write will become a great writer or commercially successful author, but they can become a competent writer. That in itself is an achievement of which to be proud and is worthy of respect.
The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary provides the following definitions:
Profession - A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long academic preparation.
Professional - One that engages in an activity professionally.
Using these definitions as a guideline, one should study and become proficient in applying the necessary knowledge and skills associated with writing professionally in order to become a professional writer. They would include spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and narration techniques. Those who have expended the energy, effort, and time to study and then effectively apply these skills are indeed professional writers. Those who have not are not. It is as simple as that.
No stigma should ever be attached to those who do not possess the knowledge or skills required to become a professional writer. Some simply have no desire to do so. Their talents and ambition are focused upon some other goal. However, those who refuse to first learn the craft before practicing it, all the while claiming to be a professional writer, deserve whatever ridicule and criticism are heaped upon them and their work.
Not everyone who loves to write will become a great writer or commercially successful author, but they can become a competent writer. That in itself is an achievement of which to be proud and is worthy of respect.
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Alicia wrote: "I can't remember which book on writing it was that explained it best to me, but it went something like this: There are people who will never be able to learn to write. Period. For whatever reason..."
Alicia,
As you allude to in your comment, nothing worthwhile is achieved easily.
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Jim Vuksic
There are people who will never be able to learn to write. Period. For whatever reason (some of them think they are professional writers).
At the other end of the spectrum, there are people who are born with the gift, will be extraordinary, and you can never join that group unless you are born into it.
But in between, there is a very wide spectrum of competence.
I aspire to move myself as high as I possibly can within that middle band, up until I bump into the built-in ceiling, wherever it may be. This is called work and learning craft and studying the masters by reading. But mostly work and the ability to critique your own work, which is hard to acquire.
Most people don't want to put in the work.