What Does A Writer Need?

brokenfingers · Jan 10, 2008

What makes a writer?

I’m thinking of becoming a writer again but this time I’d like to do it right. So I’m asking for your assistance, my fine fellow writers, in helping me choose the proper attributes/accoutrements I’ll need to be officially deemed a “writer”.

Please choose whatever you think it is you feel a writer needs to be called a writer.

Feel free to add anything you think a true writer should have...

ETA: I forgot to add 'A publishing contract' to the list.

truelyana · Jan 10, 2008

Determinism?

TrainofThought · Jan 10, 2008

I voted for Three walls of books instead of one; Expensive laptop; Lots of wine; Lots of liquor; Lots of coffee; Pens; Notepads; Journal; Issues; and Social Misfit.

Here are a few more:

Perseverance
Warm PJs
A Phone with Volume Control

Mel · Jan 10, 2008

Imagination.
The will to sit down and just write.

ZannaPerry · Jan 10, 2008

I'm a social misfit, so that helps me to write about other social misfits.

brokenfingers · Jan 10, 2008

Oooooo, these are all good.

How about:

A good vocabulary?

truelyana · Jan 10, 2008

brokenfingers said:
Oooooo, these are all good.

How about:

A good vocabulary?

That really does help, especially an extensive range of vocabulary.

scarletpeaches · Jan 10, 2008

Ooh, I have the tendency to depression and abusive childhood down pat.

I are writer, yes?

J. Weiland · Jan 10, 2008

A comfortable chair, perhaps, and confidence in oneself.

Cranky · Jan 10, 2008

I voted for the books thingy, but I also have one other criteria I think is critical. To quote my mother-outlaw "Sticktoitivness."

scarletpeaches · Jan 10, 2008

Is this multiple choice?

Siddow · Jan 10, 2008

Other: a spouse or SO or just some generous person shoveling money into your bank account.

scarletpeaches · Jan 10, 2008

Ooh, it IS - and I picked all the ones I have!

There's no option for "Rich aunt in Sydney who buys you writerly toys" though, is there?

Thanks for the laptop and the Neo, Rhona.

brokenfingers · Jan 10, 2008

scarletpeaches said:
Is this multiple choice?

Yes, indeedy.

JoeEkaitis · Jan 10, 2008

Other:

Fame and/or notoriety in a field completely unrelated to writing.

Silver King · Jan 10, 2008

brokenfingers said:
...ETA: I forgot to add 'A publishing contract' to the list.

The option has been added, thanks to our tireless and always helpful Supermod, dpaterso. :Thumbs:

reigningcatsndogs · Jan 10, 2008

someone to prod you in the backside when you falter or doubt or lose focus :whip:

SpookyWriter · Jan 10, 2008

Give up a high paying job so you can suffer for your art.

Shadow_Ferret · Jan 10, 2008

An imagination and books (meaning being well-read).

And writing utensils.

scarletpeaches · Jan 10, 2008

Shadow_Ferret said:
An imagination and books (meaning being well-read).

And writing utensils.

That's about it.

But toys help too.

DamaNegra · Jan 10, 2008

Something to write on and something to write about.

SpookyWriter · Jan 10, 2008

A good secretary.

Williebee · Jan 10, 2008

Determination
Persistence
A story to tell and someone to read it.

rhymegirl · Jan 10, 2008

Some of that stuff on the list such as booze, water and coffee, pens, paper, computer, or at least paper.

And OTHER: Ideas and Good luck.

truelyana · Jan 10, 2008

Biscuits?

What Does A Writer Need?

Which of these do I need to become an official writer?

Cat (preferably talking cat or at least a lazy cat)

Three walls of books instead of one

Huge desk

Expensive desktop

Expensive laptop

Huge flatscreen

Lots of wine

Lots of liquor

Lots of water

Lots of coffee

Pens

Pencils

Notepads

Journal

How-to books

Angst

Depression

Issues

Bad childhood

Bad self-esteem

Social misfit

Multiple unfinished manuscripts

Trunk novels

Large post count on writer’s forum

Opinionated/argumentative

Arrogant

High opinion of my own opinion

High sense of self-delusion

Over-active imagination

A publishing contract

Other (Please explain)

Walkin' That Road

Set yourself free

A flowering bud of bitchiness

Never be completely back to normal.

^ Just Me & a Sharpie

Walkin' That Road

Set yourself free

Lurker

I'm super! Thanks for asking

Walkin' That Road

Certified Gray Haired Geek

Megalops Erectus

Too sad for words.

Court Jester

Mexican on the loose!

Capeless, wingless, & yet I fly.

It's a New Year!

Set yourself free