Cornflake Girl: When do I become a real writer?

When do you know that you’re really a writer? According to my partner, it’s when you start eating cereal at night.

It’s almost lunch time and I’ve just finished a bowl of cornflakes. Despite having to shove my cat’s face out of the way to even get to my own milky-over-sugared late breakfast. Boundaries are not a strong point in our relationship. Anyway, it has me thinking about the question of “when can you actually call yourself a writer”?

I’ve really struggled over the last 18 months to accept the role. I left a corporate job last year for a number of reasons. On the one hand, I’d suddenly become a full-time step-mom and my priorities changed over night. I was also incredibly unhappy. I’ve been petrified that I’ll get sued for saying publicly that I was so miserable at that company. I gave them 15 years of my life – most of my twenties and half of my thirties. I suppose that like an relationship, we grew apart and wanted different things.

So what makes me a writer? That I enjoy writing? That apparently I don’t suck at it? That my grammar is pretty ok? Honestly, I’ve felt like a fraud. I’ve had this site since last year and I’ve been afraid to promote myself at all. What changed today is that my first article came out. Like a proper, commissioned article. Not on a site that I had some sort of control over. I am so excited but also feel ashamed. I’ve wanted people to see me as successful. How can this be the first proper proper piece I’ve had published? Because it is. And I am proud.

I’ve always been a writer, the title just feels more comfortable now.

Why not go and have a look at this famous “first published piece“.