by Sarah Varland, @SarahVarland

I felt like a real writer today.

No, I didn’t get any unexpected earnings from my books today or turn in a manuscript. No book signings or anything exciting like that.

Today I took my computer to a coffee shop and wrote while I drank a cappuccino. While I was sitting there working, I felt like a real writer. It’s it funny how our perceptions work? I have seven books published, two more contracted, and it’s writing in a coffee shop that makes me feel legit? Movies and stories about authors and my own silly perceptions have had me wondering before if I’m a “real” writer, so here’s some encouragement for all of us.

1. You are still a real writer if you don’t write at a coffee shop. Coffee shops are lovely places, but unless you have a wealthy patron who wants to buy your coffee every day, or work another job, or have found some sort of buried treasure, most writers I know don’t go to a coffee shop every single day. If you do, I’m excited for you. TRULY. Drink a cappuccino for me. But if you don’t, know you’re in good company. Movies love to portray well-dressed writers who frequent coffee shops and leisurely write all day as though that’s all they have to do in the world (these movie authors don’t usually need to wash dishes or do laundry, which I think must be fun for them), but most real writers aren’t able to live this kind of life.
2. You are still a real writer if you don’t have the computer you’d love to have. Or if you don’t write on a computer at all. These writers in movies tend to have lovely computer setups and if you have one, be thankful! I love the functionality of my computer, and it’s pretty too, but a fancy computer isn’t what makes you a writer. Nor does just the right notebook and pen. YOU are what makes you a writer—your creativity and love for story expressed on the page…however that page looks.
3. You are still a real writer if you don’t have specific writing hours set, especially in the summer. It’s a funny profession (calling, hobby, whichever you think of it as, or all them together) that we have as writers. There isn’t a set schedule we keep, and there’s not one right way to handle your professional life as a writer, where some professions are pretty clear. If you’re a teacher and you decide on a Tuesday afternoon that’s it’s a pretty day and you’d like to head out and hike after lunch, without notifying your boss, you’ll likely find yourself fired. Whereas if you’re an author, well, sometimes it’s okay to just go hiking! I’m not opposed to scheduling your work time. In fact, I think it’s a wonderful idea and Susie’s teaching at My Book Therapy has taught me a lot about that. But I am opposed to hard-working writers feeling like frauds and fakes if our work time doesn’t look exactly like we picture. And for me personally, even though writing is my job, I like to know that I’m living other aspects of my life well (and that includes spontaneous hikes!)
4. You are still a real writer even if you don’t drink coffee. It’s true. EVEN IF you don’t drink coffee like the stereotypical movie author, you are still one of us. Just, you know, maybe keep this one quiet. 😉 (I’m kidding, tea drinkers! I’m kidding!)
5. You are still a real writer even if you aren’t on a deadline or aren’t contracted. Please, please if you’re reading this and fit this category, don’t ever doubt who you are. Writers have to write. We can take breaks, but ultimately putting a story onto a page is part of who we are and we can’t stop. This is true whether you are getting paid for it or not, whether this part of your writing life looks like your dream or not. Don’t let anyone make you doubt that you are a REAL writer.

Sarah Varland lives near the mountains in Alaska with her husband John, their two boys, and their dogs. Her passion for books comes from her mom, her love for suspense comes from her dad who has spent a career in law enforcement. Her love for romance comes from the relationship she has with her husband and from watching too many chick flicks. When she’s not writing, she’s often found reading, baking, kayaking or hiking.