Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sondra Sneed on June 12, 2012 at 3:42pm

Great question, because it's the only thing I've done since before I could write words. I used to scribble and admire the scratches, thinking it was writing.  I wrote poetry from age 12 and I was features editor for my high school newspaper.

I consider myself a "new" writer even though I've published many times in magazines and was an editor in chief for three years for a trade rag. I get paid to write for industry, but this is the first time I've written books. I'm curious what others say.

Permalink Reply by F.J. Thomas on June 12, 2012 at 7:03pm

Good question and one that's not easily defined! I'm curious to see what others say as well.

My initial reaction is that if you're been paid to write and have a bit of street credit, you're not a new writer.

I've written several articles for payment but nothing on a large scale. Through the years I've accumulated and read a ton of books on writing but it wasn't until last year that I actually got serious about finishing a book. Based on those two facts, I'd consider myself a new writer.

Permalink Reply by Deborah Herman on June 12, 2012 at 7:48pm

Every time we are faced with a new idea or a new project that takes us out of our comfort zone we are new writers. 

Permalink Reply by Barbara McDowell Whitt on June 12, 2012 at 8:35pm

As soon as I had joined the WAE Network site for "New Writers" I was asking myself that question. It seems that the way to be a writer is to be working on a novel or to have recently had one published. I, however, have never been working on a novel and would like to go the nonfiction route to publication. I have had articles and feature stories published since leaving school, and am now finding fulfillment with my blog.   

Permalink Reply by Deborah Herman on June 12, 2012 at 9:39pm

The purpose of this group is to make it a safe place for writers who do not feel as experienced to ask questions they think others may not need to ask. That is why I think at times we are all "new" writers. None of us can claim to know everything about this ever changing business.

Permalink Reply by Loli Pretorius on June 13, 2012 at 2:22am

Oh yes! Coming out of the closet, hey? Writing since school for myself....NOW ...the world !!!!

But I like what Deborah says about 'it' being new, everytime it's out of a comfort zone. (To me that communicates, not to get nonchalant or arrogant when indeed that book is published, and to approach every project with new respect, from the gut...not the closet!)

Permalink Reply by jeff herman on June 13, 2012 at 11:38am

Considering ourselves to be new no matter how much experience we have will keep us on our toes, and help keep us humble and appreciative. 

Permalink Reply by F.J. Thomas on June 13, 2012 at 12:21pm

We need a like button for that reply!!

Permalink Reply by Katherine E. Hinkson on July 1, 2012 at 7:25pm

I've been writing seriously for over ten years, but I consider myself a new writer. I haven't been published, but I have finished several books and do pimp (my nephew's term) them out. I go back and edit them when I get advice back. It's always a learning process, so everytime I edit I consider myself as a new writer.