Thursday, May 24, 2012

Guest Blogger - Sharon Stanley Visits Write What Inspires You



Welcome to writer, Sharon Stanley! I recently had the pleasure of meeting Sharon online during the Guardian Angel Publishing celebration of Children's Book Week. Sharon was a gracious visitor throughout the week and we made a quick connection through cyberspace. I'm delighted to share with you Sharon's guest blogger post entitled, "Labels." I hope you enjoy reading  Sharon's article as much as I did. 

"Labels"
by Sharon Stanley 

I have been writing as long as I can remember. After my youngest child graduated, I decided to submit for publication.  I joined the (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and revamped my blog but what would I call myself?  Author seemed pompous since I am unpublished. Writer seemed a little better, or was it?

Before deciding on a label I looked up the definition of "writer". Webster says a writer is "one who writes; one who has the occupation of writing." I'm OK with "one who writes" but occupation implies pay. I decided to pull out J.I.Rodales's Synonym Finder (l986) to find a better label.

First, I got sidetracked and looked up "housewife." There were many synonyms… housekeeper, chief cook and bottle washer, mate, consort and my personal fave, better half. I moved on to "mother”… female parent, matron,  old lady  and the one I love: motherkins.

"Oh motherkins, what's for supper?"  Maybe not.

As to writer, there were 71 synonyms. Here are some of my favorites: pen-pusher, ink-slinger, hack, leg-man, scribe, and the one that rang true.....scribbler.

I find it hard to admit I AM A WRITER.  I hate the thought of being compared to people who really write, make money at it, and are really good at it.

Then it occurred to me- I have many labels:  mother, housekeeper, wife, friend, Christian, sister, and daughter. There’s no monetary compensation for those, why should writer be any different?  I've been writing for years for the sheer pleasure of it; why should that change just because I now wish to pursue this pleasure seriously?

So I shall write my stories and blog and grocery list and whatever else I decide, and not think too much about labels. If I am fortunate enough to publish a book, perhaps I will be more comfortable with author.  Till then, I’m happy with writer.   I’m still pretty certain motherkins won’t work.

So what is your label?   


About the writer: Sharon Stanley writes picture books from the farm she shares with her husband and two boys. To date, pre-published, she lives in a crop circle of craziness where subject matter is never lacking. Sharon is a member of the SCBWI and began her writing journey in earnest when her youngest graduated last year. She strives each day to "live creatively....with cows."

Visit Sharon: www.sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com "life is short. smile while you still have teeth."

Sharon, thank you for guest blogging at Write What Inspires You! I look forward to staying connected! 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

10 comments:

  1. Good attitude! Writer shouldn't be any different from other labels.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Diane,

    Thanks for visiting with Sharon today.

    All the best,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so kindly Diane...I hope I have a good attitude, but some days......!

      Delete
  3. Hi Sharon,

    It's a pleasure to host you today.

    All the best,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The crop circle of craziness caught up with me and as the saying goes we had to make hay while the sun shines! Thankfully, I hope things are calming down now....thanks so very much for hosting my very first "article" on writing...you are very brave!

      Delete
  4. Hmmm...pretty sure motherkins wouldn't work for me either! I like the idea of not focusing too much on labels and have a hard time admitting I am a writer to others as well. Thanks for the post, Donna and Sharon!

    Karin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! motherkins just doesn't roll off the tongue of most boys so I guess I'm lucky they shout "MA!" It could be worse! Thanks for reading and for your kind words.

      Delete
  5. Donna, again, you were so sweet to post my little labels article. Your newsletters, posts and blogs are really helpful and always a pleasure to read. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoyed your article. It helps me to know I am not the only that has a problem saying I am a writer.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wish you well, Sharon. I enjoyed your post.

    ReplyDelete

Thank for you taking the time out to visit with me and to learn about my writing career.

Please be sure to leave your blog address so I can reciprocate.

I look forward to visiting you too.