Who, Me? Defining Yourself as a Writer
It's hard at times to take ourselves seriously as writers, especially when just starting out or if we don't have many (or any) credits to our names. If you haven't published anything before, it may feel like putting the cart before the horse to define yourself as a writer. This is something I struggle with a lot: that voice that says, "Who do you think you are?" Instead of hearing that question as negative criticism, we can turn it around and hear it as positive inquiry, and simply answer the question. Your response may not be very long, but whatever it is, it's the truth, and you can use that as a starting point for creating -- and achieving! -- your writing goals.
Here is my response. As you can see, it's not much (yet!), but it's a first step, an affirmation of who I am and how I intend to proceed, and I've got it tacked to the wall above my desk so I can see it every day.
Name (as used in byline): Betsy Padilla
Position(s): Founder/CEO BetsyPadilla.com (writing, editing, coaching); lead copywriter at Holly Yashi, Inc.; high school English teacher (2006-2012: college prep/AP, EFL, remedial)
Skill(s): Editing; academic writing; creative writing (flash-fiction); technical writing; copywriting; blogging; newsletter writing; problem solving; idea generation; public speaking; community building; teaching; mentoring
Social media platforms (active): Facebook; LinkedIn
URL(s): www.betsypadilla.com
Accomplishments: MA in English Literature from Humboldt State University; BA in English Education from Humboldt State University; Award of Recognition for integrative use of cross-cultural fluency in the English classroom; presenter, Integrating Cross-Cultural Fluency in the Classroom; presenter, Integrating Service Learning across Disciplines.
Interests: Writing (academic and flash fiction); following current events; faith; fitness (especially jogging and dance); music (all genres, but especially hip-hop, jazz, indie/alternative); reading; fooding and libations
In one sentence, who am I? Betsy Padilla is an explorer, a deep-thinker, and a truth-seeker. She works as a copywriter, blogger, and editor and plays as a writer, specializing in flash fiction and literary analysis.
(This post was inspired by the following article: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/define-yourself-as-a-writer)
