"Authors are rareified creatures, you know, who write serious fiction."
"And writers...?"
"Write books people buy," she explained, with a twinkle of mischief.
That is an interesting view between the two. I wouldn't agree just because if I'm reading it right then people who don't sell don't qualify as either. I call myself a writer but I haven't sold anything yet.
i've heard the words defined in this way: you're an author if you have a published book and a writer if you don't. why do we make the distinction? is there really any difference? and does it really matter?
Michelle, I think that perhaps the definition you've heard (which I've also heard) is making the distinction between a paid profession and a hobby. Also, "writing" could include any number of things (blogging, magazine articles, journaling, etc.) while "author" I think refers solely to books.
I think it matters in terms of public recognition of one's work, as opposed to just scribbling for personal enjoyment. It would be interesting to check a dictionary.
Interestingly enough, I did look in the dictionary and both terms refer to writing for a profession, but "author" only refers to books and "writer" to multiple forms.
I think more to the point is the dichotomy between those who write for some deep artistic satisfaction (i.e. literary authors) and those who write popular (i.e. genre) fiction. I definitely would class myself in the second category.
That is an interesting view between the two. I wouldn't agree just because if I'm reading it right then people who don't sell don't qualify as either. I call myself a writer but I haven't sold anything yet.
ReplyDeleteWell, actually Dawn, if you don't sell any books then you must be one of those serious authors. LOL!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I guess that makes me one, too. Wait, she didn't say anything about *finishing* books, did she? I guess I'm neither of those things, then.
Well, I think I'd rather be a writer then.
ReplyDeletei've heard the words defined in this way: you're an author if you have a published book and a writer if you don't. why do we make the distinction? is there really any difference? and does it really matter?
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I think that perhaps the definition you've heard (which I've also heard) is making the distinction between a paid profession and a hobby. Also, "writing" could include any number of things (blogging, magazine articles, journaling, etc.) while "author" I think refers solely to books.
ReplyDeleteI think it matters in terms of public recognition of one's work, as opposed to just scribbling for personal enjoyment. It would be interesting to check a dictionary.
Interestingly enough, I did look in the dictionary and both terms refer to writing for a profession, but "author" only refers to books and "writer" to multiple forms.
ReplyDeleteI think more to the point is the dichotomy between those who write for some deep artistic satisfaction (i.e. literary authors) and those who write popular (i.e. genre) fiction. I definitely would class myself in the second category.