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YLF Writers, Come out of the Closet: Declare yourselves here!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Rae's wonderful blog write up today has me thinking (yet again) about the sheer number of fantastic writers represented here on YLF. Sometimes I have to scratch my head and wonder what the heck is going on. I mean, truly! Does an interest in fashion translate into a love of words in some algebraic equivalency?

Not only do we have a fair number of professional writers of all kinds here on this board. But many forum members, even if they do not call themselves writers, are extremely talented and could certainly make writing their profession if they chose.

So...let's do a headcount! How many of us are writers?

No, you don't have to have published something to count yourself in this crew. You just have to be someone who really enjoys the process of putting words to experience.

99 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I was a starving student once and wrote a formula romance book. :p Does that count?

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Definitely not a writer here. I just don't have the patience to write long posts here and tend to abbreviate a lot. That's just me, although I wish I was a good writer.

celia

Veteran

I love to write in my original language.My level of writing in English is not the same unfortunately.
I might consider a course on creative writing when DD is at school.

MNsara

Veteran

Aargh!! Every email I have to answer beyond 'yes/no' feels like a dreaded writing assignment.

But I'd do a happy dance if you needed me to do your taxes, set up a budget, or something with number crunching

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I'm a writer, sort of. I used to have a blog where I just wrote, but I deleted it in a fit of teenage angst. I've also written a lot in school and college and have been taking creative writing in French too

This year, my goal is to do NanoWriMo and write a novel

Di

(website)

Veteran

English major in undergrad. Theology grad student, so... most of what I'm doing is writing, but I'm not sure that makes me a writer. (I'm an EXCELLENT letter-writer, if that counts!)

Kim

Veteran

I'm not a "writer" per se, but I do love to put words together say EXACTLY what's going on in my head. Writing has always been one way I can organize my own thoughts and work out my feelings and opinions on things. I've always enjoyed it, but I don't think I'd want to try and make a living at it! LOL

MsMaven

Veteran

Sigh. I have been getting close to coming out of the closet (writing and wardrobe) anyway. For the last four years I have been writing and researching a book that is biography, history and family history. My proposal for a presentation based on some of the book's subject matter has been accepted for a conference this summer. Back in my lawyer-practice days I gave talks and presentations on legal subjects, mostly to women's groups, but this is my first time doing a formal academic paper. I'm excited about it, but am also a bit superstitious--if I brag too much about my good fortune, lightening might strike me down.

Clearly I will need advice and feedback on my presentation outfit, but first I have to write the paper and submit it.

I spend a lot of hours at my computer nearly every day, and when I get frustrated or befuddled I often take a break at YLF. Sometimes I am here in the middle of the night.

Thanks for the prodding, Suz

MsMary

Veteran

All lawyers are writers! And for five years I did nothing but write for a living, ghostwriting opinions for a Court of Appeal justice.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Yes. I've been a professional writer and editor for 20 years.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Great thread, Suz, and it does seem like a large number of us find writing comes easy and is enjoyable. When I was working in marketing and public relations, I wrote features on faculty and students, press releases on performing arts events and classes and public service announcements for airings on a PBS station.

I have yet to publish anything of a personal nature, but I do love to write and now it centers on personal correspondence more than anything. I guess that's another reason I love YLF so much!

cobaltblue

Veteran

I am in the midst of writing my first novel, an Isaac Asimov meets Canticle for Liebowitz science fiction story. I also write poetry and am working on a children's book of poems inspired by meters from around the world.

My posts here are usually briefer than I'd like, as only look at the forum using my iPhone, typing one-handed while I nurse my daughter! If I had all ten fingers at liberty...

Becky

Diana

Veteran

I used to write poetry, but haven't done so in years... I do still write scientific articles and grants though.

Scarlet

Veteran

I find even the writing of comments time-consuming and difficult

cciele

Veteran

Writer and editor by profession here too. Although not very eloquent here

rae

(website)

Veteran

I used to write and edit for my school paper in high school, but that's about it! I have started writing novels but never finished. I envy all the professional writers here!

Heather

Veteran

I have a BA in English, but can BS with the best of 'em.

;D

p.s. Suz, your book is in my Amazon cart. May I have your autograph?

Shu

Before I quit work to stay home with my kids I was a professional writer and editor (mostly technical writing with some writing tutoring thrown in), but it remains my love and now I help out with my church's blog (http://shoreline.marshill.com/author/shumanay/ if anyone's curious). I'm also working on a book proposal with a friend on the theology of suffering, which is new and exciting! Ultimately I'd like to get back to fiction, which is what I worked on in college (B.A. English With A Writing Emphasis).

I've been impressed by the level of eloquence I've noticed throughout YLF as well!

HelenInCanada

Veteran

*Partially peaking out of the closet* Suz, I was a freelance journalist briefly, and have always enjoyed personal and opinion-piece writing, despite the fact that it can be frustrating at times, of course! Needs inspiration and discipline. Good on all of you! Whether it's technical, legal, creative, or memoir style writing - it's a rewarding thing to do. Kirti, I've completed NaNoWriMo (a 200+ page romance novel)! What an exhilarating creative exercise - do it! Lyn, I must get my hands on your formula romance! Suz, I need your autograph too. I'm very interested in reading "Pathologies" - sounds like a brilliant and original collection of your writing. Will be checking back here for more writerly reveals!

*Sneaking back into the closet for now*

MNsara

Veteran

High-five, Scarlet!

If only we could just 'speak' our comments?!

Anonymous

Definitely a writer. I seem to be more articulate when I write. I'm the head editor of my school's literary magazine and somehow managed to win a full tuition scholarship because of my writing, so apparently I'm a decent writer.

I guess there are parallels between writing and style. I mean, both of them have main concepts most people know (the fashion rules about fit, proportion, etc and grammar). Then after you understand how the foundation works you can stick to the rules or break them (i.e. how bad fit can look cool, Walt Whitman shattering all rules of convention about poetry).

Writers visualize a lot. I can't read a book without seeing the scenes play out in my head. Fashion and style are all about visualization and how things flow. I bet most writers are obsessive of getting a certain image/vibe to their readers, and are also obsessive over details. Well, I am at least. I'm also obsessive about the details and vibe of what I'm wearing. Maybe I'm just too neurotic . . . Yeah, that works too

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

shout it out, shout it loud, I'm a journalist, and I'm proud!
I think you're onto something here, Suz. The extremely high caliber of both the posts and comments was one of the most compelling reasons to make YLF my online style home.

Small But Mighty

I'm a writer through and through, though this may be the very first moment I ever claim the title!

You guys on YLF can tell from my endless posts, no doubt! I make my living as a marketing consultant, but that involves lots of writing and editing, and then I write a lot for me, too.

Thanks for making me own it. That ended up being pretty momentous.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is so great!! And I am THRILLED to be hearing from those of you who don't consider yourselves writers, too. Having read your thoughtful posts, I might beg to disagree!

Lyn, a formula romance definitely counts! A good friend of mine tried to write one and it was tough to do! Did you sell yours? Either way. brava if you finished!

CitygrlDC - your pictures are worth thousands of words! That is what's so great about this forum; we get to use both modes of expression!

Celia, I have a feeling you would be a very good writer. You have a depth and thoughtfulness to you.

MNSara, you love all the things that are toughest for me!

Kirti, I hope you DO enter the contest! It is a great motivator.

Di, letter writing certainly counts. I have a huge stack of letters that I've saved from my college years. And correspondence is making a comeback. http://www.guardian.co.uk/book.....sfeed=true

There is even a month long challenge right now: http://lettermo.com/

Kim, anyone who uses writing as a way of thinking IS a writer in my books.

MSMaven: Yay! Waving to my "taking a break" twin. I love to come onto YLF when I am stuck in my work.

MaryK, waving at you, too. I am an "almost" lawyer. I went to law school but did not practice, and I know that most lawyers are writers at heart (or if they aren't, must learn to do it even if they don't like it.)

IK and CCiele and Shu: High five!

Vicki, you are another one here with a recognizable flair for words that goes with your flair for fashion.

Rae, you have decided talent as a writer. Truly. HeleninCanada, I say the same to you and I'm not at all surprised to learn that you used to do some professional writing.

Heather, I'll bet you are as eloquent in words as you are in clothes. And yes, I'd be thrilled to give you and anyone else my autograph.

Becky: can't wait to read your books!! They sound terrific.

Diana, scientific writing is some of the most challenging (and important) writing there is.

Sharon, those are very interesting insights! Thank you!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yay, Michelle! You write beautifully and we are all blessed to have your contributions here.

And Small but Mighty: WOW! I am so happy my thread had that effect!! It really can be scary to admit it. I know...I tried to hide my identity as a writer from the world for many years.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I write legal documents day in and day out.

I also LOVED writing essays in college. If you want something analyzed within an inch of its life, I'm your gal.

I fantasize about writing a novel one day and have written some short stories. I don't know if they're bad or good, but they are entertaining to me

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Amy, I knew it!! And I just know your stories would be funny, sharp, and brilliantly observed—like you!

nancylee

Veteran

I was a freelance writer/editor for all the years my son was growing up...it was great job flexibility. I've written and published travel essays, book reviews (for a now-defunct magazine), interviews, and short stories.

I let go of the editor portion of my life several years ago, and now teach English part-time in addition to my writing. I'm still getting the occasional short story published in small literary magazines. Haven't published a book of my own yet, but I'm working on my second draft of a novel....and feeling cautiously optimistic!

So great to see so many fellow writers here on YLF!

EmilyC15

I'm a professional writer, technical/scientific, and I run a blog...

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