What Kind of Writer Are You?
January 30, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
If you tell someone you’re a writer, chances are, they’ll assume you write novels or possibly magazine articles. Even though writing is everywhere, as a profession it’s mostly associated with fiction and journalism. What about the people who write greeting cards? Cereal boxes? User guides? Do they write fiction too?
Even though I dabble in just about every type of writing under the moon, I’m always caught off guard when someone assumes that I’m this or that kind of writer. The funny thing is that writers make this leap even more than non-writers.
Speaking of non-writers — some of them write too. Have you ever discovered after years of knowing someone that they keep a notebook in which they write poetry? They don’t really seem to consider this writing; it’s just something they do, because the thoughts come to them and they feel like recording them. Tell them they’re a writer, and they insist they’re not. Ever meet someone like that?
I imagine if we made a list of all the kinds of writers there are, it would be pretty long. Here are just a few off the top of my head:
- Copywriters (press releases, packaging, marketing, reports)
- Technical Writers
- Journalists (magazine, news)
- Business Writers
- Web Content Writers (site copy, articles, blogs)
- Fiction and all its many, many genres
- Poetry
- Screenwriters and Playwrights
- Bloggers
- Non-fiction (memoirs, articles, essays)
If you put all these writers together, that’s an awful lot of people.
Me, I’m a freelancer, an entrepreneur of sorts. I do lots of proofreading and editing, and web site copy and content. In my business, I’m open to many different types of writing. The diversity of the projects I get keeps me fresh minded. Although web writing is my focus, I also do technical, business, and creative writing projects as well.
I’ve also been known to write loads of poetry. I have a few sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure novels in the works, though all of them are in the very early stages of development. I like to write non-fiction pieces too, and obviously, I’m a blogger!
Now it’s your turn. What kind of writer are you? Do you mostly write in one specific area, or do you explore many different writing avenues? Do you or have you ever been paid for your writing? What’s your biggest writing dream or goal? I want to hear every detail! So, don’t be shy!
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I will post about this soon and link back.
Heh. I’m a novelist, specializing in speculative fiction.
Though usually, when I hear of writers on the internet (especially in blogs about the craft), they usually reference professional bloggers first.
@Deb, Great! Can’t wait to read it!
@Eliza, I find the same thing with internet writers; a lot of talk about professional (copy) writing, not so much about fiction, though there are a few exceptions. I have a theory that many of the fiction writers haven’t joined the blog world just yet. There are a lot of blogs about books (reviews mostly) and some that post actual fiction work, but I find I’d rather read fiction in my hands than on the screen. Plus, blogging in general lends itself more to information sharing and how-to guides rather than pleasure reading. Speculative fiction is my favorite; it covers a lot of ground in terms of genre. Eliza, where’s your web site?
Professionally I’m more of a web content writer than a copywriter. I also edit, write catalogue copy and resumes, and a grab bag of other professional services. In other realms, I write long and short fiction, poetry, and memoir.
I love writing inspirational articles, essays, newspaper articles, and more. Topics I love are weight loss, herbs, natural remedies…
I’m enjoying blogging, especially when it’s topics I’m passionate about.
I’m finding I love blogging even more than other types of writing.
My biggest dream? To be the author of several successful books. I desire to be an encouraging, inspiring source for readers to draw hope and strength from.
I’m a copy writer, copy editor, designer, programmer, idea person, blogger, etc. Basically I’ll do any job that requires words or web skills. I even help set up computers for less tech savvy users. Spent two hours helping a client set up her email account and pop client etc.
The diversity is a lot of fun. It keeps me agile and fresh. Sometimes my mind is heavily in logic mode so it helps to have programming and editing projects I can work on. When I’m firmly in creative mode the writing is wonderful.
I’ve found myself working on business letters, wedding invitations, speeches, web copy, web site design and programming, blog entries, product and ad copy, public relations, resumes, poetry chapbooks, critiques, reviews, testimonials, articles, ebooks, online store design, even some graphic tinkering, etc. I even have my own novels in the background and I’ve considered ghost authoring and coauthoring both fiction and non-fiction books although I’m yet to take that leap.
What kind of writer does that make me? *chuckles*
I dabble in everything. I worked a regular writing gig for a local parenting magazine for about a year, specializing in informational roundups under 500 words. I did a few features as well.
My passion is children’s literature and I have a few completed stories and some in the works. I also like to write greeting card verse, short fiction, and autobiographical shorts that I use for personal features, poems, you name it.
I also just love putting pen to paper and filling up my journal.
And…I’m a list maker. I have to-do lists, reading lists, music lists, lists of songs to learn on my guitar, author lists, children’s book lists, lists of ideas for my own writing, goal lists, etc.