Calling Myself What I Am

"What do people say when you introduce yourself as a blogger?" a young college student asked me during my talk this Spring in a creative writing class at APU.

Um...

It dawned on me that I'd never introduced myself as a blogger, despite writing one for over ten years.

I'd never even introduced myself as a writer. Not right away, at least, maybe further into the conversation I'd say something like, "I also like to write." 

"What will it take to call yourself a writer?" the professor asked. "Getting published?"

"Well... I've had a couple essays published...so thats not it exactly..."

I'm not sure why I struggle so to claim the title.

I started my first journal in kindergarten and continued to put my thoughts on paper for most of my adolescent and adult life.

Why shy away from calling myself what I am?

Is it because I don't make a living as a writer? Is it because I've always had another job?

Well, not anymore.

I'm officially on leave from the Anchorage School District. In my letter requesting time off from my job as a counselor I wrote that I planned to work on my first book.

But still, "blogger", "writer", seem harder to say than "mother", "counselor", "teacher"-- as if I don't have the right to claim these literary terms as my own.

But I need to start trying, because my husband Nick has given me the priceless gift of belief in my ability combined with time to write.

Tomorrow, I drive down to Homer, alone, to attend the Kachemak Bay Writer's Conference, a rare opportunity for creativity and connections, with a chance to read my work to others and to meet with an editor or agent to pitch a book idea.

I'm nervous and intimidated and eager to be within a community of writers for five days.

Thank you dear readers for your endless faith in me, for returning to this site again and again, for reminding me with your insightful comments, why I write.

I think I'll start practicing now:

So what do you do?

I'm a writer.  I write a blog called Following Elias...

Comments

[Sara]

You ARE a writer! A very good one. And a mom. And a wife. And an Alaskan salmon-fishing gardener. And and and. It's one of your many hats..but I suspect that this gift of time will help you shift and own your identity as a writer ;)

[Lauren Long]

I love it when you write. You're an inspiration

[sloane]

love you Ev. You are are an amazing person. Writer is just one part of the greater whole. xxoo

[Christy]

Sara and Lauren, and Sloane, thank you for your belief in me in all my various roles and for returning here to read over the years. Sloane, I swear one of these days Nick and I are coming down to the islands to visit you:)

[Becka]

So excited you are finally able to pursue your dreams wholeheartedly! I will pretty much read anything you write, so bring on the book! ;)

[Abby]

I am a pediatric nurse practitioner in critical care - found your blog a long long time ago - perhaps close to the begining of your parenting journey. The fact that I am still reading leads me to believe you are most definitely a writer! So glad you are getting the time to embrace the title.

[elizabeth]

whoop!!! xoxo

[Noel G Dennehy]

Christy- wow- have you come so far and I know your dream will come true- there are so many people behind you boosting you up and cheering you on. You have the best family ever- especially in your husband - but also your extended family! You are a special lady tackling special needs and....
YOU ARE DOING IT!!!
XOX

[Nancy Woeldile]

And a wonderful writer you are!

[Crickett]

You most definitely own the title writer. You bring your readers through ranges of emotions. Your heart and soul comes through as I have read your work over the years. Happy you are headed to Homer for this incredible opportunity. Soak it all up! You are amazing!

[ginna]

I'm so excited for you! Fly fly fly!!!!

[Mary]

So excited for you!. Claim it!