On being a real writer

When I first started writing I had this notion that one day, if I worked hard enough, I would become a “real” writer. I wasn’t sure what being a real writer meant, but I was sure I would know when I got there. Yet I sold my first story, and I didn’t feel any more real. I sold a half dozen stories, then three books, and I still didn’t feel real. Finally I began wondering what I was waiting for–someone to send me a “real writer” certificate or something?

I decided that yes, this was exactly what I was waiting for.

But though I waited a few more years, my real writer certificate never arrived. So I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands.

For those who are also tired of waiting, I’ve uploaded the following:

An Official Real Writer Certificate
The only requirement for downloading a copy is that you be able to say to yourself “Yes, I am a real writer.” (You can also mail a copy to someone else–in that case it’s enough for you to think they’re a real writer, whether or not they believe so themselves.)

Personally, I recommend printing this out on nice, parchment-y paper, writing in your name with a nice pen, and finding one of those gold seals to stick in the corner. But there’s more than one way to do these things, of course.

And of course, once you have the certificate hanging by your desk, you’ll know you’re legitimate, and won’t have to bother with that pesky self-dount thing any more. 🙂