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Author seemed pompous since I am unpublished.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.
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?
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
