Any time someone asks me what I do for a living, my knee-jerk answer is always "software developer", because that's my primary job and what I've been doing for the last 15 years. I have a degree in Computer Science and have done different development work from web application design to software architect and that's what I get paid for professionally.So, when someone asks me what I do and it's in relation to my work on environmental issues, I never know what to say. Obviously, software engineer doesn't make sense, but I still don't feel like I can claim being a writer. I even have a hard time saying I'm a blogger. I usually just say, "oh, I write a blog." Which is dumb, because my blog is ranked in the top 2,700 blogs, so I should qualify as a blogger, at the very least.
Except recently, I've learned to start saying I'm an environmental writer. Especially since I'm taking a 6 month sabbatical from work starting next week to finish writing my book so it seems totally reasonable to claim I'm a writer, no? I mean, I have a publisher and all, some entity silly enough to pay me an advance, right? Yet, the word "writer" still gets stuck in my throat and won't come out.
I think it's mostly because when I think of "writer", I think of authors. Of real books. Or fiction writers or, really, anyone beside myself. Because I don't feel like I've yet earned the title of writer. But, I suppose writing almost daily posts for three and a half years sort of qualifies. And, when my book is published the title will feel more fitting.
But for now, I still feel like I'm a softbloggeriter.
7 comments:
I feel the same way. I started my blog 2 yrs ago this month and never really know what to say when people ask what I do.
Um....stay at home mommy blogger? Does this make me a Mologgler?
Never thought of myself as a write either. Yet I write almost every day.
Momabloggeriter?
Great post!
I normally just say environmental activist and writer. I do get paid for blogging at least lol. Around here though the moment I say environmental I pegged as a socialist pig so doesn't really matter what follows lol.
I would say your a writer and a good one from all I've seen. Most writers have a EDJ (Evil Day Job) to keep body and soul together, so they can do what they want to do, which is write.
Deanna - I had trouble calling myself a writer until after my book was published. Then it felt legit. And now that my book's been out for awhile and I'm looking ahead to what's next...I'm not sure whether the label of writer really fits. Being a writer was never my big dream - it just sort of happened. Congrats on your book deal - how cool that you get to take a leave from your day job to write it!
Or, you could say, "Well, I got a BS degree; so recently I've been exploring that area."
:-)
The truth, of course, that you're a professional polymath, doesn't fly well. Most go "what?", and those who are familiar with the term get all squinty eyed if you claim it.
Deanna, worldwide influence should allow you to say you're a writer. Most writers can't make that claim.
We women are so good at undercutting ourselves. Stand up straight and say I am good enough! I am a writer!
Because you are.
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