Yesterday, I got to talk with a real writer.
A published-many-times writer.
A fiction-nonfiction-poetry writer.
A known-expert writer.
A teach-at-writers-conferences writer.
Coincidentally, I saw a flyer for one of his workshops and I emailed him to see if I could steal some of his time when his class was finished.
Luckily, he said yes.
Now, I wasn’t a total stranger to this writer. I had taken his class at the writers conference two years in a row and he knew me by name. This writer, had seemed genuine when he said to the participants, “you can call me or email me,” but honestly, you never know if that’s sincere.
And it was. He was.
We spoke in a busy coffee shop. A you’re-lucky-if-you-can-find-a-seat place and I asked him questions that I had previously written in my notebook.
I don’t know why, but I was impressed and surprised by his honesty, his generosity, and his “realness” because, he is a real writer.
He shared strategies and his ideas and he never acted as though I was a teacher pretending to be a writer.
After an hour and both of our coffees were gone, I apologized for taking too much of his time. He smiled and didn’t seem as though I had overstayed my welcome. In fact, he repeated his previous offer of future phone calls.
Looking back, it was silly to be nervous, but sometimes still, I don’t feel like a “real writer” and I get easily intimidated by those who can say it without question, without a moment of doubt.
Maybe it’s because of the various hats that I wear as the elementary teacher-homeschooling mama-blogger-and finally-writer.
This coffee meeting helped in so many ways and I truly appreciated this real writer.
If you have a moment, check out Terry Persun’s work. He is a real writer and a real gentleman.
My Twice Baked Potato 
Were you a “real teacher” only after you earned your credential and had a classroom? I’m guessing not. Are you a “real writer” if you have fewer published pieces than another? Are you a “real writer” even if you were someone with no published pieces? I would argue that you are what your passion is and for you, expressing your beliefs in writing is your passion. You are a “real writer”. Trust me…I’m a “real teacher”. 🙂
I’m thinking that you might be right 🙂
*laugh* I’m seconding what Leslie says above. There’s usually no concrete way to tell when you’re a “real” something or another, only your courage to own that title. (Believe me, I’ve struggled and written about this too. 😛 ) Besides, you have a blog and been on Mamalode, so yes, you’re a REAL writer!
Lol! Thank you!
Last year, I had a goal to get my work published (check), get paid to write (check), and now I want to continuously get paid and published.
I guess it is all relative 🙂
What a cool opportunity! Remember that a “real writer” (agreeing with others on this designation though) started out in your shoes. It’s been my experience that many “real” anythings are willing to help because they were there once and want to pay it forward. I know a blogger who does that for me. 🙂 I take students at my office, even though they are a bit of a nuisance, for the same reason.
Thank you 🙂
Honestly, I know you are right. It also feels good to help and I know that blogger-she thinks you are awesome!!