At some point in their lives, every author made a decision that they were a writer--no aspiring prefixed to the title. It frightens us to make such an identifying claim about ourselves, especially if we have little to show for it--no novels, no short stories, maybe only a few blog posts. Stepping onto such an admirable and storied path can feel pretentious or undeserved. Admittedly, writers are well aware of the many bookshelves that are full of unnecessary and terribly-written novels. It's only worse in the interwebs, crowded by millions of people trying to find a voice that can articulate something which may matter to somebody else. This curmudgeonly pessimism from already established wizards of the page shouldn't stop us from responding to the creative impulse inherent in our species. Most of us hear the call of the pen, or feel a very real compulsion to dance our fingers across the keys of a typewriter or a keyboard--too few of us decide to continue moving our feet once the path becomes treacherous, seemingly blocked by an immovable barrier.
You may not find yourself ready for it, or believe you will ever be capable of penning something worth reading. John Irving, author of The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany, offers something heartening to those feeling under-prepared or unqualified for the work. His advice doesn't apply to all--especially if you are extroverted by nature--but I think most aspiring-writers will find some confidence. And, hopefully, a few more will find the courage to remove the hyphenated prefix.
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