What makes *you* an author?

[KillerMuffin]

The dictionary says:

author n. (yada yada)

a. One who creates a literary work.
b. One who writes as a profession.
c. One who originates and creates something.

I fall in all three of them, but I only consider the third one meaningful in defining an author.

Authorship is not defined by the quality of the output, only that the output happens.

 

[kiwiwolf]

I take the sick and twisted fruits of my equally sick and twisted brain and slap them down in blocks of paragraphs in Word Document format for the pleasure or displeasure of others. One day I hope to make enough money from my work to be able to afford a Bic Mac Super Combo... with a chocolate shake. That makes me an author.

 

[Omni]

First I think there is a difference in what each indiviual person thinks an author is and what they think a writer is. Just the same way everyone has a different take on the meaning of editing and proof reading.
Writers to me write anything. They can be as intense or less intense about their writing. Some writers have it in their blood like authors do, and they have to write.
One of the key elements to being an author I think is that we finish the story.
The second key element is that we share it.


Omni

 

[wilderness]

you're not an author until

IMO, as someone else on this thread pointed out, you don’t call yourself an author, reader’s do.

For my money, you’re not an author until you’ve submit a literary work, into which you’ve poured your soul, to a multitude of overtaxed publishers. Then sit nervously for months, checking the mail daily, even though it’s only been a week, and you know they may or may not send a rejection letter. Keep doing this until finally some stranger deems the story worthy of their time and pays you for your work, either in cash or contributor’s copies.

That’s when I think you’ve finally earned the title ‘Author’.

 

[Why]

Re: you're not an author until

IMO, as someone else on this thread pointed out, you don’t call yourself an author, reader’s do.

For my money, you’re not an author until you’ve submit a literary work, into which you’ve poured your soul, to a multitude of overtaxed publishers. Then sit nervously for months, checking the mail daily, even though it’s only been a week, and you know they may or may not send a rejection letter. Keep doing this until finally some stranger deems the story worthy of their time and pays you for your work, either in cash or contributor’s copies.

That’s when I think you’ve finally earned the title ‘Author’.

No that's when someone thinks they can make money out of your work.

To me, if you have produced a novel of some 85,000 words and someone you don't know reads it and then says, it made me, laugh, cry, think and swear, then you are a writer/author. If you are lucky the person you don't know is an agent or publisher and even if it is that doesn't mean it will end up in print...

 

[oggbashan]

Authors and authors

I have written and had published technical works which sold. I write for my local paper on an occasional basis but just to get publicity for an event or to get the public involved in local affairs. I have written and published club/organisation magazines. My full CV lists two pages of publications. The first was published in 1962.

I write on Lit and other places but I don't seek publication ... OK, if someone holds out folding money I might consider it ... I write because I have to. The only "creative" work I have had published is a poem which was a runner up in a local poetry competition.

So I am an author and I'm not.

One of my friends who had an even more extensive list of publications in her specialised area of expertise joined a Creative Writing Class. She was unpopular with the tutor because she had more published than the tutor. That wasn't the point. She knew she could write. She wanted to learn how to write fiction. She knew she was an author, she wasn't a "creative" author, or was she? Her books on technical matters sold because she could present complex subjects in an understandable way. Was she already an "author"? Her tutor thought she was (and resented it).

So what is an author?

Og

 

[Svenskaflicka]

all of a sudden i want svenskaflicka to tell me a joke...

Bicyclette. (French for "bike".)
Bi-Chicklette.

OK, I never said that it would be a FUNNY joke, now, did I?

 

[Sabledrake]

Cardinal Woolsey, wasn't it? "Got his knob out at Hampton Court, and stood at the end of the hallway pretending to be a door." Or something like that, and then "Baldrick, you'd laugh at a Shakespeare comedy."

But of course that wasn't the question

I'm an author because it is what I've always wanted to be. In school, I expected I'd go the traditional route -- major in English, then teach while I wrote in my spare time. Little, then, did I know how rare spare time actually _is_ for teachers nowadays.

I took an elective course called Humanology and Psychology the last half of my senior year in high school and that changed everything. I majored in psych instead, and now I work nights in a looney bin and write on the company clock!

I didn't feel that I'd really earned the title, though, until I began my first novel. If I'd sent out short stories first, that might have done, but short stories are very difficult for me so I went right for the throat.

Sabledrake

 

[Chatomana]

What makes a good author

Reading the replies on this board, I must put in my two cents. There are writers and there are authors. A good idea of what an author is, is by the way they tell the story that is in his or her mind. Anyone can write and be an author, but to be a good author, you must be able to take your reader on that mystical trip with you. Allowing them to see exactly what you have seen, experience the laughter, the joy, sorrow, love, everything that life has to offer, all within your story. A good author plays with the emotions of the reader and when the story is over, they will remember it afterwards. There are a lot of good authors that place their works here on this site and I have told a few of them that if I was a publisher, I would have them in a contract right now. They are the examples of being a good author. A lot of the other authors could be a good author by reading their stories over and follow some simple rules. Spelling is one. I'm not the best at spelling, but use that spell checker. Print out your work and check it that way for errors, then go back and make the corrections. I could go on and on, but the only way on becoming a good author, is to read other author's stories. Then practice writing for a half hour a day. If not on a story idea, then just write about anything. With this I'll end....Happy writing!!!

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I became an author in my own mind the first day I got a feedback from someone who said my story moved them to tears. When my words and the vision I had of the characters transcended just giving a reader an erection or making her nipples stiff and touched someone emotionally. When readers began to relate to my fictional characters as if they existed.

-Colly

 

[wornoutkeyboard]

It is my PO, but for me there is a distinguishing line between a writer and an author.

Writer = Someone who writes frequently and may even write things frequently and touch other people in the process. Or even someone who writes crap but still enjoys it.

Author = Someone who makes a living from their writing (or some profit) from a major writing media outlet (books, magazines, etc). Not to say that their work is good/bad, but that they have at least mastered the fundamentals to the level that allows for publication.

That is how I use the terms. Not that they have anything to do with a dictionary definition or anything of the sort. It is just my personal distinction.

It took a long time for me to see myself as "an author" and not just "a writer". I really don't think I was able to refer to myself using that language with full commitment until I got an agent to represent my work. I think that was the moment I realized that I was one of the lucky few who reside in the realm of the cream, which rises to the top.

I think the words are really ambiguous to most people and so I leave it up to my own judgement.

~WOK

 

[Guest]

I'm sure I answered this months ago at the beg. of this thread but I'm not going to research myself.

I use "writer" because it is precisely what I do that distinguishes me among other crafts or arts people. If someone writes non-creatively for a living then I think they should use an appellation, e.g., tech-writer, freelance writer, newspaper columnist, etc.

Ever since French filmakers picked up on the term, author (oh-tour to them), I don't use it except here as an ordinary, meaningless other word for one who writes.

Perdita

 

[mtnman2003]

definition comes from acceptance

Not sure how to self describe one as an author.

I think the acceptance of others as an author is the defining point. We look to others here, and see their prowess, their ability to wordsmith, and whether envey or whatever, desire to put to print what we have bottled up inside ourselves.

I have had a published book, many articles in magazines, and many speaking engagements as the "author", but here, a new environment in which to write causes nerves to tingle, sweat to form, etc just to see if stories are accepted.

So a new author hopes to be born.

Writing here has created further desire to see what, how, etc. for creating a novel in the erotica environment. To evaluate the degree of acceptance that might come. To see if it is possible in a marketing sense.

Additionally, I see potential for authors here, to hold regional seminars for fledging authors, put on seminars, let the realm of authors meet the primary contributors, and more. I would hope to excite Dr. M, Chicklet, MG, Perdita, and more. Want to play with me?

Mtn

 

[Pure]

You're an author, imo, if eventually strangers start paying good money to read you.

You're a good author if eventually strangers thought to have good taste start paying money to read you.

Notice I did not say 'pay to you'. Thus you qualifiy if your piece is selected by referees and published, nothing going to you, by one of those little literary mags, which is actually *sold to people (or in our age, a website that has paid members.)

Just my idiosyncratic take on the matter.

J.

{Added: It might be said that the definition above is of a 'professional writer' or 'professional author.' But I think there is some blurring, as is the case with 'musician', already mentioned.
I'd limit 'musician' as above; not every kid at the piano is a musician.}

 

[A7inchPhildo]

By definition it is one who originates or creates works of literature.


I always thought of an Author as someone who writes a message in a story, tale, fable, allegory, poem... and it stands the test of time. That is a real Author and deserves credit.
I Guess if my works are still appreciated after I am gone, that would be a good indication.

I like to think some consider the man who writes the stories they read is an author. So I guess by opinion of another you could be labeled author.

To label ones self as an author is rather arrogant unless it is termed as taking responsibility for ones works.

The other view is everyone is an author of some sorts, and there is no real meaning to the title.

 

[whispering_surrender]

Please bear with me, as I'm sure this will ramble a bit.....

Writer, author, tech writer, freelance writer....All those are simple labels, that hopefully convey to others what we feel about ourselves, but will often only cloud the issue further.

Music creates much the same controversy. My best friend is a "professional musician....almost". Which means, he still has a part time job to pay the rent, but the majority of his income is from music. I love music, and still perform, but don't make money from it. Does this make me any less of a musician than him?

If I write for noone but myself to read, and noone ever buys it, does that make me less of a writer, or less of an author, or less of a creative soul, than you?

*throws down her two cents*
Whisper

 

[Pure]

Query:

I think I remember a couple, but....

How many gave a definition of 'author' that *excluded* themselves????


{{keeps own hand, down}}

 

[whispering_surrender]

Not to be too technical, I posed a query, but didn't actually give an answer....

Whisper

 

[sweetnpetite]

To me just writing alot and liking to write does not mean you're an author. If that's the case half the people in the world are authors. I don't have a rule a thumb, but there has to be a certian level of talent. I don't want to say mass popularity is a good standard, the masses are asses. If I had to qualify it I would say someone whose writings fall into that cliche that "you can't put it down," a book you sneak moments to read, that you reread, and someone whose books you look forward to.

Now that's just silly. At least half of the world is all together illiterate. And that doesnt' include those who are meerly functionally illiterate.

But if everybody who likes to write and who does write is an author, well so what? does it *have* to be an exclusive club? Anybody that drives a truck is a truck driver weather they like it or not and weather they are good drivers or bad drivers, so why shouldn't anybody who writes be a writer? Its a clear and descriptive word. I see no need to qualify it. One is a writer if one writes, and moreso if they see writing as an essential part of who they are.

 

[gauchecritic]

Its a clear and descriptive word. I see no need to qualify it. One is a writer if one writes, and moreso if they see writing as an essential part of who they are.

I once read somewhere that a guy asked a Budhist monk 'How do you join? How do you become a Budhist?' To which the reply was along the lines of 'You don't have to join anything. You simply become Budhist'

Kinda like being a writer. You write.

Gauche

 

[sweetnpetite]

You're an author, imo, if eventually strangers start paying good money to read you.

You're a good author if eventually strangers thought to have good taste start paying money to read you.

Notice I did not say 'pay to you'. Thus you qualifiy if your piece is selected by referees and published, nothing going to you, by one of those little literary mags, which is actually *sold to people (or in our age, a website that has paid members.)

Just my idiosyncratic take on the matter.

J.

I wrote some stories for this site, but no one has paid to read them (other than buying there computers).

I am the writer of these stories, but I am not a writer.

I am the author of these stories, but I am not an author.

Come on now, that is kind of silly.

Writers can be such snobs. Some are even snobby against themselves (I wouldn't want any club that would have me)

All of the definitions given pertain to a certain *kind* of writer. What you people are saying is, your not a writer unless you're a *creative* writer, or a *published* writer, or a *proffessional* writer. That's what all those modifiers are for. A writer is a writer is a writer.

Now ad to this, when you say someone is a writer, there are two things you could be talking about. The first is the act of writing, the literal definition. the second is that you could be saying it to explain a set of characteristics, or a person who acts and thinks in certain ways as a result of being a writer. (He's a *writer*- Oh I get it, tempermental hu?) YOu can do this with any hobby or vocation. (He's a miniture train collector- Oh, I get it, Peter Pan syndrome) When we use the term writer this way, we mean that we are writers because we feel it deep within our soul. Writing is who we are and we would not be complete without it. I like that definition, but it's not the only one (although it's true for me) My grandpa was a roofer, but i dont' think that's who he really *was*, he was a painter, though he never sold a painting in his life- painting was in his blood and one of the things he was known for.

So the question becomes:


Is writing something you do?

Or is it who you are?


(And niether in my oppinion is better or worse, it just is)

Off the soap boxl.

 

[sweetnpetite]

One of the key elements to being an author I think is that we finish the story.



Omni

I think that's probably the defining difference between a writer and an author.

I'd like to point out that as far as sharing, Emily dickenson had less than 10 poems published in her lifetime. She wasn't big on sharing But I'd still consider her an author. Even if she had kept every single poem locked away her entire lifetime.

 

[sweetnpetite]

Brilliant!

I once read somewhere that a guy asked a Budhist monk 'How do you join? How do you become a Budhist?' To which the reply was along the lines of 'You don't have to join anything. You simply become Budhist'

Kinda like being a writer. You write.

Gauche

 

[Pure]

SnP:
/I'd like to point out that as far as sharing, Emily Dickinson had less than 10 poems published in her lifetime. She wasn't big on sharing. But I'd still consider her an author. Even if she had kept every single poem locked away her entire lifetime./

I'd point out she [E.D.] fits my definition, since I said, "_eventually_ strangers pay good money..."

J.

 

[Dirty Slut]

In another thread I wondered whether I was a "real" author or not. It got me thinking about all of you, and what's going on in your minds.

What is it that makes you consider yourself an author? Is it having just one story done, is it having a hundred...not what makes others authors, but what is it that makes you define yourself as an "author"

For me, when I feel that I have so many things going on in my head that I have to get them down on paper...when I see that I can transfer thoughts and stories to other people...when I know that if I was told I could never write anything ever again I'd DIE...that's when I know I'm an author.

-Chicklet

I think Billy Crystal said it best in the movie; "Throw Momma From the Train."

"A Writer writes."

He didn't mention whether they had to carry a card to prove it.

Does that make one an author? My Webster's Dictionary says that an author is: the beginning, or originator of anything.

To me, no author is known by others as an author unless they have submitted their work somewhere for others to read. That being the case, then you are indeed an author Chicklet, as are we all who have completed creating something that others will read, and enjoy be it here at Lit or elsewhere. And all of the authors here at Lit have done that. So yes Chicklet, you are an author.

DS