I am not a writer because there is anything special about me, I am a writer (present tense) only when I continually do the act of writing.
I realize now that if I am not in the active work of writing, I cannot really say that I am a writer. It is similar to how some people will say that they are a guitar player, but really the truth is that they used to play and now only have a guitar in a closet at home. Because they are not playing the guitar, they cannot say they are a guitar player. They can only said that they played the guitar. For me, unless I am continually writing, I can only mention that I have written, but not that I am a writer. What shapes me into being a writer is not having a special personality or special talent, it is that I continually live the act of writing.
For the same reason, you don’t have to be discouraged thinking that you don’t have enough talent. If you want to be a writer, all you need to do is keep writing. By staying in the action of writing, you are being a writer. The talent you need will develop as you consistently do the act of writing.
