Is writing books and storytelling the same?

[Nik]

You often hear: "I'm a writer", "I'm an author", "I'm just a storyteller".
What's the difference, if any? Synonyms or to a point?

[Eric]

a storyteller tells the story, the author writes the stor, y the writer writes all kinds of stuff nothing specific

[Bernard]

The word author has a relation with the act of creating an idea, a story one will write while the writer simply pens down an idea. Curiously, when one writes a book, we consider him as a writer, but once his book is published, he's 'promoted' to the 'author' status. In most cases, the writer and the author of a book are the same person, The concept of ghost-writing probably helps to understand the difference between both.

As for storytelling, it doesn't necessarily involve neither writing nor authoring. In the Ancient Greek era, storytellers would go from one village to another and repeat the fables, myths and legends they've learned by heart often adding a twist to them. The Illiad and the Odssey are probably the two most famous stories repeated orally in Greece back then.

[Daniel J.]

I agree with Bernard, the difference between "writer" and "author" seems to be published / not published; though, to add another layer of complexity, once that person has published a certain amount of lauded works, they again become a "writer." For example, I don't think I've ever heard of Virginia Woolf or John Steinbeck referred to as "authors"; they're writers. But I have often heard of John Grisham and P.D. James referred to as "authors." Although now that I think about it, maybe it's a living versus dead thing.

As for storyteller, again I agree with Bernard. It is more of a blanket statement. Storytelling is the inherent talent, while the method of storytelling (writing, directing, illustration, oration, photography, even business PowerPoint presentation) is the focus of that talent.

[Bernard]

Just to add a few words to what Daniel J said. As far as I'm concerned, it really doesn't matter to me being a writer or an author. I'll let the others define who I am.

Let's say I'm a professional scribbler (LOL) who has been penning down the ideas I have since I was a kid.