A few years ago, during a night out, I was introduced to a man in his early twenties that was the school acquaintance of a friend. During the general polite conversation that followed I asked him what he did for a living, to which he replied, “I’m a photographer.” I immediately found the subject interesting (I love photography) and started asking him lots of questions – what his main points of interest were, who he worked for, how he got into it – and after a few minutes it became evident that he wasn’t a photographer at all. In truth, he was a barman with a good camera who liked taking photographs. I was a little confused (and slightly insulted) by the fact that this man had ‘bent the truth’ in an attempt to appear more successful or creative – I’ve done plenty of bar work over the years and in my experience it is a physically and mentally exhausting job that requires lots of patience, particularly when dealing with drunken, aggressive members of the general public. It’s a shame that he felt that he had to hide a profession that he should have been very proud of.
When I first started this blog I had quite an unnerving experience with a man who persistently harrassed me for my personal Facebook details with the excuse of wanting to connect with me because he liked my writing. He didn’t write anything of his own – his blog consisted of reblogged posts. His messages became more frequent almost aggressive, and after several polite ‘no’ responses I eventually grew tired of his requests, quite nastily asked him to leave me alone and blocked him from my account. He sent one more message that went straight to my ‘spam’ folder which said:
‘I am a professional writer too, just like you. I want to speak to writers.’
I am not a professional writer. I am a teacher who likes to write. Writing is a hobby, teaching is my profession. I gained my QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) years ago and have been permanently employed as a teacher ever since. I feel that this qualification allows me to refer to myself as a teacher when asked what my profession is. I am also a violinist – I have a performance degree from a good music college and am a member of a professional string quartet – and I can claim this because we have been paid on hundreds of occasions for our music-making services. However, as this is a creative subject I find there are often lots of people who are willing to argue the point of professionalism, particularly when discussing the idea of how good someone is at something.
In a world of daily advancements in affordable technology and social networking, everyone now has the opportunity to explore their creative side. Anyone can take a photograph, start a blog, self-publish their own book and/or create their own internet pages and websites. Of course, that doesn’t take anything away from the sheer amount of work and courage that goes into the self publication of books and novels, courage that I don’t possess myself, but it is possible for anyone with drive and ambition to do it. I’ve only had my blog for sixth months and in my own little world I feel that I have made a small success of it, but I never write in the hope of becoming a professional blogger. Admittedly in many of my posts I have referred to connecting with ‘fellow bloggers,’ but in truth I don’t feel qualified to refer to myself as a ‘writer’ or ‘blogger,’ I simply use this phrase because it seems easier to do so in order to create a sense of community. I also spend lots of time taking and editing photographs and I’ve had some fabulous feedback about the pictures that I have posted, but I would never refer to myself as a professional photographer as I have never earned any money for it.
This morning I had a conversation with Caitlin Kelly, the author of Broadside Blog. I’ve followed her blog for a while now – I admire her writing style and the hints and tips that she offers about writing, blogging and jounalism – and a comment that I made on her latest post about writers that are expected to work for free led to a short discussion about the concept of professional job titles that are sometimes exaggerated in order to gain a higher status in the eyes of others. I asked her what her thoughts were on the appropriate time for someone to start referring to themselves as a professional ‘writer.’ This was part of her response:
‘…someone who is soi-disant “a writer” is someone I would need to show me their commercially accepted and published work — and a consistent sales record in the thousands — to qualify.’
Essentially, I feel that the term ‘professional’ should be used when the subject is actually a profession ie. money is earned for creating a piece of writing or taking and editing a photograph. However, this also poses the question of the regularity of payments earned from creative work – does somebody earn the right to call themselves a writer if they have been published once? Does a piece of work have to be published in a nationally or internationally recognised forum in order for it to be recognised as valid?
But what do you think? Do you refer to yourself as a professional ‘blogger,’ ‘poet,’ ‘writer’ or photographer when asked what your job is? At what point do you feel it is acceptable to use these terms?
Suzie Speaks 
Great Post. I think you should be able to create your own title and choose your own profession, but you do need to be able to back up that assertion with some kind of fact and experience. I’m a travel agent, food blogger and I’ve also sold multiple paintings over the years, but have not had an exhibition. This doesn’t mean to me I’m not an artist in my opinion (I just happen to choose food as my medium at the moment), it’s just not something I promote about myself. Perhaps your “title” is the part of your life that you identify with most, that gets you out of bed every morning, be it a financially successful pursuit or an interest that you are persuing with that ambition. The question your post poses for me is why we feel the need to create a title for ourselves and build our identities around that title. So many of us limit our possibilities by only identifying with one aspect of ours lives. For me the title profession is a somewhat old school in a way which eludes to a lifelong work which is perhaps not realistic in an age where people have the freedom and choice to change and explore what that means to them.
Having said all that for someone going through a carear transition right now your post is very thought provoking for me, thank you. Congrats on making Freshly Pressed. – Leah
There are those who lie. They know they are lying. They mean to, and they like it. There are those who have expectations and categories for people, they may or may not know it. Elitism is dead, I shot it the other day. 🙂
I think that underlying your chosen subject and the words that you seem to appear to have chosen to share how you really feel about things, the issue might actually be, the definition of success, who gets to check the meeting of any such definition, if one definition could be agreed upon–and, it cannot. Who are you to need to go around telling others what they are and what they are not? Who am I, to bring it up? Ahhh…the many ways of living in the world. Isn’t the choice fantastic?!?
My blog is part of what I consider a hobby. But I call myself a writer because before entering the blogging world, I have been a creative writer and went to school for creative writing. I am hoping to maybe pursue graduate school for it, also. I consider myself a writer (not anywhere near a professional, though), but blogging is a hobby for me.
Well-said. I wonder about “profession” though.
My two cents (or half a cent) on the question: I think it’s appropriate to start using those terms when you’ve mastered it…at least in the sense that others in the field could recognize it. That seems the main thing, more so than “I make my income from this, therefore I am this.” Writers, artists, philosophers, etc. have been homeless and unemployed or get their money from patrons or have some other job that pays the bills, but they have a good level of proficiency or energy in what they do that makes them a _____, whether it’s giving them income or not.
Love this post. And wow.. this actually made me realise I have to get a profession. hahah… I mean I work in an office. to sum up what I do. I multitask. Is multi-tasker a title? I guess not. But I believe no one needs a title to define your value. Every single person is made unique. Title is just an icing. Ego booster. Intimidating. Don’t get me wrong, if you put your life and hard work on it. You deserve respect and title is your recognition. Not so much of ‘how much do you earn?’ to define your value.
Interesting.. I wouldn’t call myself a writer (yet), but I hope to one day become one. If I reach that point after I get a degree in Creative Writing or after I manage to publish my first book, I’m not sure. Right now though I’m just happy to write when I can without sharing much of what I write with other than close friends but this doesn’t really make me a writer. Just a person who enjoys writing.
I really tend to go with the flow on this subject. If a blogging friend wants to call himself or herself a writer, even though they haven’t had much, if any, monetary success as a writer, then who am I to judge? As for me, I have a day job and I blog part-time and have dreams of getting up the energy to write a book. So I don’t call myself a writer, yet.
One thing that does bug me, though–in the five seconds of research I did on Ms. Kelly, I see that she writes skillfully and informatively. So why does she feel the need to use the term “soi-disant a writer”, when “a self-proclaimed writer” would have done just fine? And, no, I don’t think that’s a “troll-ish” question; I think she has the ability to communicate quite clearly (and is obviously successful at it), and the “4-dollar word” was unnecessary.
“If a blogging friend wants to call himself or herself a writer, even though they haven’t had much, if any, monetary success as a writer, then who am I to judge?” I completely agree. And I too paused for like 10 seconds and wondered by Kelly decided to use “soi-disant” as well. A bit snooty.
I second that. Love your moniker, trailertrashdeluxe.
Hobbist I am!visit my beginner ‘s blog and give some improvement comment/feedback can??Thanks! http://falcon1791.wordpress.com
Just a blogger. I have a full-time paid job already. Enough said.
A blogger and a writer. I am paid for the writing (I’m a copywriter by profession) and a blogger for the love of it.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Teacher who likes to write. I like that. Nice blog post 😉
I would say there is a difference between a “writer” and a “professional writer.” I myself aspire to be an writer of sorts, but for now, I am a student. I recently wrote a post about a similar topic. While the internet provides a forum for any whack job to go and call themselves an artist, it also provides an outlet for truly great writers, artists, bloggers, what have you, to be published when they may not have had the chance to otherwise. Sometimes a talented writer doesn’t have access to publishers, papers, etc. and must seek other avenues. The internet provides that opportunity. It may not be ideal. But, it is an awesome step towards making art, and good art at that, more accessible to everyone.
I am a cartoonist. No, not really. I simply like to draw and the blog is the means by which I get to show the world a little bit of humour.
Consistent sale record? Hm… I wonder what Vincent van Gogh would say to it. The poor thing sold only one painting during his life time. Who is going to call his museum in Amsterdam now to tell them the bad news that they’ve been displaying the work of jobless crazy nobody for so many years? 😉
Love this post. I never did, but other people have called me a writer (was paid just once for a magazine article). At this point my 7 month old blog is not making money and I’m not even attempting to get monetary benefits from it. I do love to write my posts but never mention blogging to people when they ask what I do for a living. However, I make sure it comes up in conversation later 🙂 — wiley way to direct someone to my blog, I know.
Anyway, congratulations on getting Freshly Pressed — after only 6 months of blogging!
If you have ever been paid to do it even once, you’re a professional, and that’s always been true.
I consider myself a writer. Writing is what has always filled my soul with joy and helped me feel as if I am fulfilling my purpose. However, I do not know if by anyone else’s standards, I am a talented or successful writer, and it does not matter to me. I write for myself. I would never claim to be a professional or lie about what I do for a living to make myself sound successful. I am a professional BOOKKEEPER. Yet I am also a writer. And a blogger. A mother. A wife. Why does one have to classify what one truly is only by earning money doing it?
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.
Hate Smoke and Mirrors! As a Musician, an Owner of a Brand New Company, “On the Bus Productions” and a Day Job Holder as a Customer Relations Manager… it’s a confusing conversation so I just say I am a worker bee 16 hours a day but am loving life! lol Thanks for the share!
I refer to myself as a crafter. Not because I do not find pride in my other jobs, but because it is where I am heading. I have been paid for pieces and commissioned. I don’t particularly have documents I can show you that prove that, but I make the occasional hundred or two hundred dollars off of my creations. I also refer to myself as a gardener. I have never sold my vegetables, I have no professional training in gardening, but I do provide my family with sustenance. Also, the best way for me to become something is to be it. Even if it isn’t my primary source of income, even if I make no income at all, that doesn’t mean I won’t. But I would probably call myself an aspiring _______.
I am a doctor. I got this new name “Doc” after I finished med school and started to work as a doctor. I am a blogger. I consider my self one because I have a blog and I write a blog. Professional? I am not yet get paid from my blog, so I don’t call myself a professional. I love to write. Writer? Not yet, since I don’t write a book or published any until this moment. I love photography. I don’t take photography course and have so little knowledge in it. Besides, I am only use my pocket camera and sometimes I edit my photos with Picasa. So definitely not a photographer. 😀 So I am a doctor, professionaly. Others just hobby. Well, for now 🙂
As a “part-time photographer”, I have struggled with this. I do consider myself a student, because I do earn some income through photography, I definitely am not at a point where I could support myself full-time. It’s hard to draw a line in the sand of a place where I somehow become a “professional.” I think maybe it might have something to do with how others perceive you. My clients think I am professional, and I think that counts for something.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! 🙂
Thank you!!
Writing is why I still breathe today. Writing is all to me. Ruth Jacobs interviewed me when my book of poetry was published. I realized then that it matters not what we call ourselves. If the soul is called, the soul is called. It strikes me as a curious thing that we disect titles as though, like sunshine, there is an elitist group of entitled or at least who think themselves entitled, while the true creative greats likely just created without analysis or judgment of what they were called. As soon as you are published anywhere you are an author. As soon as you learn to write, you are a writer. What degree you take it to is up to your own yearning or lack thereof. Just trying to think outside our proverbial classist boxes here (and I LOVE Broadside, too). I am a poet, a writer, an author and all of those primarily because if I stop I will surely drop dead. While anyone can open a blog, not anyone will last if they are not creating or at least satisfying a need for others if not for themselves. Lots of fly by nighters online. In all venues, not just writing. Love of the art itself is where I live. Just my three pennies worth 😀 Congrats on getting Freshly pressed! You are a writer for sure 😉
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~ Your friend is right. More so, if an individual is writing for a publication/company is getting paid — at least, somehow, that is called a professional. Thus, it means their works are acknowledged and needless to say, chosen by such industries bec. of quality and substance. I, myself, also don’t feel like it if I am called a writer because I don’t think I am good or if I fit the standards. Also, there are lots of ’employed’ writers who cannot even form a good sentence or two yet they earn. No offense about that but in this mad, mad world, lots of people are ‘self-proclaimed’ of the career that they wanted for themselves. And, the bad connotation about being a writer, is when people expect you to be really good or perfect, because it is also hard to give justice to writing as a profession. Good writing takes time and experience to master and it does not happen overnight. Another example would be this, just because we modeled once, does that give us the license to be a model? (I modeled on several occasions but I don’t have the guts to say I am a model bec. I know I am not pro. Maybe if I’m a VS Angel, perhaps? Haha :D) Anyway, cheers to your enlightening post. You nailed it! In case you’re wondering, I think you’re a good writer. 🙂 Congrats on being FP! Kudos! – Bliss, The Lurker’s List
When a painter earns money on a painting after they die, are they considered a painter while they lived? Many great writers never write a book. They may make a living off of their writing though. Or at least supplement their living with their writing. I would like to be a writer and so far it has been a hobby but the end goal is to be able to live off of my writing obviously. I think its fair to say you aren’t a (something) if you haven’t gotten paid for (something), especially for writing. I just think most writers think no matter what, their writing is more superior, just undiscovered.
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Reblogged this on Vaniceseasonal's Blog.
I consider myself an amateur photographer – I have been published from time to time but I dont consider myself a “photographer” per se. Photography Is what I like to do, that’s all.
One should be careful however, as giving someone a title – or more important- stripping it off.
It’s a tricky subject; does Money earn the title? Skill? Frequency?? Intentions?
I sometimes hear professional photographers say about other photographers “She’s crap – she’s not a real photographer” – even though the mentioned does make a living off it.
I think “what you are” depends on how you identify yourself–to yourself. The kid you spoke to may have been insecure and wanted to impress you or he may actually see himself as a budding photographer and wants to lay that idea in other people’s minds. I used to be an attorney and am not trying my hand at freelance writing. I am in the very beginning stages of figuring out just what that entails but I have a blog and my first article (for pay) in the works. I don’t practice law any longer, nor do I have any other traditional form employment at present. If someone asks me what I “do”, I tell them I am a new writer. The more I identify myself with the profession, in my mind and the minds of others, the more likely I am to actually reach my goal of becoming a successful writer.
Now trying. Sigh. There seems to be a lag posting here and I did not catch my mistake until it was too late. Argh. Perfectionist. Great post though. I like the question it raises.
I started my blog in 2008 as a way for me to connect on some level with others. Does the fact that I have a blog make me a blogger? I think so. Who cares if I make money from it, which I don’t?
I earn my money as a Dog Groomer (30+ years now) and assistant at an animal hospital. But I am much more than that. I have gotten paid many times for my artwork, which is also a passion of mine and a way to express myself. I have been referred to as an artist.
Writing about things that I feel strongly about, many have said I am a good writer. Do I consider myself a writer, well yes, at a certain level I do. I have been published, so what?
If someone asks me what I do I tell them I am a Dog Groomer. I am neither ashamed or boastful as I am very comfortable with who I am.
People can be more than one thing and very good at all of them. Mediocre at some, fabulous at others or dabble in something they enjoy. Everyone deserves the right to try, to follow their muse, to expand their knowledge and search for ways of expression. To make statements about what makes a person “official” is sort of offensive to me. Who is the real judge but yourself?
I agree with gillandrews’ comment.
Hello Suzie,
That is quite an interesting write up you made out of your experience. Some people actually fake their professions because they do not even know or understand what they do. Until they fall in the trap of disappointments before they realize they were playing the coward. Fame comes after hard work not the other way round. And if one has to be exceptionally successful he has to start by loving his profession and what he does, if its cleaning dishes make sure you are the best and make success and fame out of it, other people will love it and even think of being like you. I must say i like your article. It will go a long way to teach those always making this mistake. Will be around to read more of your write ups.
J Joseph
I really enjoyed this article. It did make me stop and think. I used to make a living freelance writing (magazine articles, press releases and some learning manuals etc) and at the time I was quite comfortable calling myself a “writer”. Life, migration and 2 children later I have a full time job as a Project Officer at the Health Department and I don’t feel comfortable calling myself a writer anymore as I feel I am out of practice and simply don’t write enough even though I write quite a lot of reports at work! I agree with an earlier comment made and with your article- I am a writing enthusiast but my profession is the job that I am in at the moment.
you inquiry follows after the ideas behind the question: man thinking or thinking man?
Existence precedes essence, meaning that one is not born a man but we become men.
Or it could be said, we are not born writers, but become writers.
Your bartender was speaking about his aspirations.
I have always held to the belief that if one wants to be a writer, one must only write.
And your bartender saying he was photographer was probably not the crux of your problem with him; something else about him probably set you off.
But what do you think? Do you refer to yourself as a ‘blogger,’ ‘poet,’ ‘writer’ or photographer? At what point do you feel it is acceptable to use these terms?
Maybe another way to look at this would be to consider archetypes.
When I traveled for some years as a vagabond, I felt like a traveler and during my college years, I called myself a student; presently, since becoming a father, I am a provider who happens to write and lacking marketable talent, I blog because it gives me an excuse to write.
Making a living is something we do by default, to pay the bills.
Whose to say if your bartender has any talent? I would have to see his work, hear out his views as regards his techniques.
Just because someone doesn’t get paid for their work doesn’t necessary exclude them from believing that one day their work may merit inclusion. I think when we say we are one thing; what we are in essence saying is that: at that moment we really identify with that role.
In some sense we are multiple things; it just depends on the context.
I would like to hear more of what was behind that conversation with you and the bartender; what was the subtext?
Fun write-up and I agree with you to an extent… but I think fundamentally the problem here is that people identify themselves by what they do rather than by who they are.
If a person’s sense of self-worth is all wrapped up in what they do then of course they’ll be tempted to reinvent that with the good ol’fashioned lie if they don’t believe the truth will please their ‘audience’.
If people cottoned on to the fact that their worth is in WHO THEY ARE, and recognise that what they do is just a value-add, I reckon they’d would be a great deal happier.
I would think I could call myself a writer, maybe not an author (yet), but I have done a lot of freelancing. Art, Photoshop, and photography are things I’m great at too but I don’t really sell my work, so I’m an enthusiast in those areas. Blogging is something I started last year and this is my second try at it. Blogger isn’t something I call myself though, maybe I should? I was a secretary/administrative assistant for a few years, and even tried to be one again recently, and it was nice to have a “normal” and “acceptable” job title with benefits and steady pay but it wasn’t “me”. I was always told to never write any book unless I’d make millions for myself or to never take a writing assignment unless I got paid a lot, but that advice hurt more than it helped. Now I’m writing for a living and tutoring (students of all ages with mental health disorders in particular because I understand what they’re going through). I get called an awesome teacher a lot by the people I tutor/teach so that feels pretty good and people enjoy a lot of my writing. I don’t think anything beats doing good work in what you love doing. I enjoy reading your blog, you do write very well.
Too many blurred lines here. The trouble with this is that every person has their own distinction between what constitutes professional writing and what is just a hobby (the main factor usually being whether you are paid for it). The second factor seems to be longevity. If you do something on a regular basis and for pay then that is your title (and more often than not, your job). But should we tell somebody who writes way into the night working hard to get a book published that they aren’t a writer? I wouldn’t. That person is almost certainly working a hell of a lot harder than any ‘professional’ writer I know of.
If you have been published, you are a writer. That should be plain to see. Likewise, who is to say you’re not an artist just because your work is not being shown in galleries all over the world? Allow yourself the title, because it seems nobody else is going to.
I get paid to be a copywriter, but I call myself a writer, a blogger, and a musician. I think people should be able to call themselves whatever they’d like. If anyone questions them further, they can explain whether or not what they “are” is just a hobby or if they get paid to do it. Makes for good conversation 🙂
I know an awfully large number of professional failures. Meaning: people who get paid to work at a “profession” they are completely inept at performing. Garnering a paycheck is not the sole measure of title.
I quite agree I have met many many inept ‘professional’ photographers, their so called ‘professionalism’ wipes off on good and brilliant photographers and gives those who have striven to become great at what they do and give a great service. Nothing says more about your work then word of mouth and the majority of my work came by word of mouth, if I was meeting prospective client, along with me came my portfolio and a contract that gave the clients protection in case I was crap, I am and was not afraid to show my work. I cannot write, my imagination is great and I sit with my grandchildren and I tell them a story make up as I go along and I haven’t had complaints 🙂 they may be bias though. I did write a story with a new part every week for a wee boy with autism to help him get up on a Monday for school, but then as adults do his mother and I had a falling out so that ended that, I wish I still had it I would post it so you experts can be honest about my writing never mind I would possible best sticking to my photography 🙂
I have a BA in dance and have been performing in this field consistently for the last 4 years. I make almost no money from it, and the money that I do make maybe equates to .03/hr for the amount of time and effort I put into rehearsals, teching, training, etc. To support myself I pick up different jobs, like serving (sometimes). But I am not a server who “likes” to dance. I’m a dancer who sometimes serves to make money.
Maybe the question you should have really asked the guy (and what we should start asking in general since it’s apparently what we really want to know) is “How do you make your money?”
Oh right, that seems a little rude.
I wish I could dance, I love watching all types of dancing, its just great. As for the plumber maybe he was making more money from the photography, I mentioned in a previous post I know photographers that charge in the thousands for a day of taking photos at a wedding, I never charge near that because I play fair and like you sometimes I didn’t make a lot.
I just read your response before posting my own… long and skinny of it was the same gist
That sounds right! You are a dancer! Even if you did not get your BA. You would still be a dancer. Everyone must start somewhere and only time will reveal what a person will truly become.
Maybe your standards are too high.If you keep a regular blog you are a blogger.And maybe a writer.Writing say stories or poems on a blog regularly does make you a writer in my view
Reblogged this on Cool lady blog and commented:
Interesting discussion
If we can only be defined by how we make our money, then that is a very sad thing.
Amen!
This is interesting to me. While I have heard this subject discussed quite a few times, it seems as though there is no real conclusion. A few semesters ago I took a creative writing class and, because I liked my professor’s response, I’ve chosen a similar outlook. I, personally, believe a writer, blogger, poet, photographer, etc. to be one who does it regularly because they enjoy it. Whether they are getting paid or not, if they wake up at 5am seven days a week to write knowing that it may never make a dime… to me that is a writer. Of course this is simply my opinion but when people ask me about my job I am an accounting clerk. When people ask me what I do, I write, dance, blog, and sing. Very often I find myself thinking about each one while I am doing another. Therefore, to me, I am an accounting clerk, writer, dancer, blogger, and singer. 😀
There’s a reason the term “struggling artist” is out there. I do not think you need to have been paid in order to consider yourself a writer. This is a difficult topic to broach and I am glad that someone put it out there. Writing is considered an art form and as history has shown us not everyone who was successful was instantly receiving a paycheck for their work, but the underlying commonality in all writers is that they write because they love to put their ideas on paper or now on the internet as a blogger. What constitutes a “good” writer, now that is another question, just like what one deems to be a good work of art. Great question, you definitely got my brain working this morning!
I enjoyed reading your post. I am new to blogging but not to writing and can appreciate the blurring lines between blogger, poet, writer, professional. To me, blogging seems a de-evolution from writing because it provides more sensory inputs; such as visual imagery and audio. The writing I learned required one to create an entire world using only words. Thinks they are a changing.
My two cents. I look forward to reading your next post.
Reblogged this on Silver All Over.
I think you have a really interesting point here. It’s similar to the culinary world where, despite having gone to culinary school and in some cases even owning your own restaurant, you are not a chef until others have deemed you so. Self-proclaiming yourself as such raises more than a few eyebrows and causes loads of clash from others.
Thats similar to what you described with the “photographer”.
I, like you, enjoy writing. But I do not call myself a “writer”. Claiming a label, such as “writer” brings with it a slew of expectations, from both the “writer” as well as readers. I would prefer to let my work speak for what it is, for it to be judged without the pretense that it’s coming from a “writer”.