Three Actions That Finally Made Me Call Myself a Writer

For years, I was afraid of calling myself a writer. In 2024, I doubled down on my writing. After burning out and getting laid off, I paused my coding career. I filled my days writing a daily post and studying my writing heroes. Hundreds of posts later, “writer” still felt impossible. I thought I needed a big follower count and a best-seller. Of course, that was my inner critic talking. Make your first $1 One rabbit hole took me to an interview with Devon Eriksen, a sci-fi author. He said, “If you’ve written and you’ve gotten paid for it, you’re a writer.” Thanks to my blog, a company asked me to write tutorials for their website. Somebody had already paid for my words. In your face, inner voice. Earn at least $1, and the title is yours. Do the thing and hold the title If money is out of the equation, redefine what makes you hold a title. I had to ask myself who a writer is. That’s someone who teaches, entertains, or inspires using words. If I was teaching, entertaining, or inspiring…