Maybe you’ve seen those lists or surveys on social media asking you to check every city you’ve visited or how many old-timey things you’ve done (“used a rotary phone,” “heard of a rotary phone,” “have scars from using a rotary phone,” etc.).
Well, here’s one for writers. How many of the following twenty marks of a writer can you claim?
- a strong opinion on the Oxford comma
- multiple (currently unused) blank journals
- a favorite pen
- a favorite punctuation mark
- a dog-eared copy of The Elements of Style
- a dog-eared copy of On Writing Well
- a dog-eared copy of Bird by Bird
- a dog-eared copy of The Chicago Manual of Style
- 3+ unfinished manuscripts
- a scented candle
- a notebook (or digital file) of story ideas
- a notebook (or digital file) of character names
- a favorite writing snack
- 4+ writing-related mugs
- a Microsoft Word horror story
- a rejection horror story
- a writers conference horror story
- a critique group horror story
- a collection of writers conference name tags or lanyards
- crushing imposter syndrome
What’s your score? What should have been included in the list above? Please do tell in the comments.
I don’t have ANY of these!
***
Am I really, then, a writer,
with no accoutrements of craft?
Or am I something rather lighter;
have all the sonnets left me daft
in rejecting the conventions,
souvenirs of efforts long
gone past all my best intentions.
Was I right, or was I wrong
to carve out my little niche
of sometimes dreadful poetry
that must oft make Shakespeare twitch
and close his eyes, thus not to see
a writer who writes from the heart
but who will never look the part.
I love it! 😀
Thanks, Kelsey!
Seven out of twenty. I’ve got to work on those horror stories! 🙂
I only have a few of these. Perhaps you should have included a collection of unread craft books and some partly read.
20/20…lol!!! Nice job. 🙂
My score: 18.5. I do not have a copy of Bird by Bird (but I just ordered one!) or a collection of name tags/lanyards. I do have some degree of imposter syndrome, but I wouldn’t call it crushing. Maybe occasionally depressing. So I give myself half a point for that one.
However, my opinion on the Oxford comma is so strong that it might make up for the missing points 😅
Sounds like me, although I only got 19/20. I would add a collection of pens, since we can’t resist trying a pretty new one. I’d also add framed memes or signs with encouraging phrases. And of course a Bob Hostetler book of prayers for writers!
Marilyn Turk
10/20 for me! I would add “unusual and/or scary internet search history.” 😅
13 out of 20 – no unfinished manuscripts,character names, or WC horror stories (except maybe for that first meeting with my agent? Just kidding!!)
12 out of 20! I’m a writer because I can’t be anything but.
14 out if 29.
20/20
The only 20/20 “eyesight” I’ve ever had.
I have nine out of twenty, which is a failing grade. Sob! How about adding “handed over a manuscript underneath a bathroom stall?” I believe that is a Steve Laube experience…..
Good post, Bob. Do you have rotary phone scars? I’m curious about that… As a poet and non-fiction writer, I also have a spreadsheet to keep track of where and when I’ve sent everything, tons of outdated book proposals (so, to tell them apart, I’ll write “FOR REALS ONLY BEST PROPOSAL”). It’s very effective. I was going to add a crushing sense of self-doubt, but to combat that, I keep a file of encouraging notes from readers who have been blessed by my writing. (I’d add many translations of the Bible).
Does #16 include an ever-so-slightly demonic looking iron spike on which said rejection letters would be ceremonially impaled?
15 out of 20
I don’t have dog-eared pages for CMOS anymore since I subscribe to that online.
I don’t have a rejection horror story, but I do have an acceptance and working with the editor horror story. It got so bad, my agent and I utilized the cancellation clause of the contract and got out of Dodge!
How about adding a 15 minute conference appointment horror story?
Several old copies of the Christian Market Guide? With dog-eared pages? I still prefer the paperback for the market guide.
Loved this!
16 out of 20 for me, and I will
add that the “scented candle” one
made me smile, because I have a LOT of scented candles! 😊
How about : Keep a notepad in my pocket when I go for a walk
Have dashed frantically out of the shower to write down the idea that came
I have one designated mug but it’s chipped so that counts as three. Check check check. Yup, no commas. 😜