As a writer, I get all sorts of questions every time I come into contact with someone who has either read my work or wants to. People will ask "so when are you actually going to get published" or when I tell them I work for this awesome online publication, they just shrug their shoulders and say, "Oh, that's cool." I watched "Stuck in Love" the other day, and one of the female characters was asking Rusty about his father, and when he said that his father was a writer, she asked "What, like a real one?" This was slightly offensive to me for some odd reason, and then I related it to myself almost automatically. It's like people don't consider me to be a real writer but instead just aspiring to be. After dealing with several comments from various people in my friend groups and complete strangers, I sought out facts and evidence about what made a person a "real writer."

While doing my research, I found an interesting blog post written by author Jeff Goins about his struggle with being a writer and accepting the fact that he really is one although sometimes only feeling as if he is aspiring to be. Throughout the blog piece, Goins says that there is only one way to become a writer and that is to "say you're one." After reading this, I turned it over in my mind several times before my hands could even touch my keyboard to place it in this article. I thought to myself and wondered if this was true and if just by saying those words, that would change my entire outlook on writing. Still slightly unconvinced that I could just say I was a real writer, I proceeded to read the rest of his article. Goins continues on and talks about an interview that he has with Steven Pressfield, a historical fiction author. When Goins asked Pressfield when someone became a real writer, Pressfield responded very wisely saying "You are a writer when you tell yourself you are. No one else's opinion matters. Screw them. You are when you say you are." When I finished reading that article, I was beginning to understand that exact thing. That opinions don't matter.

I think as people, we get so caught up on other's opinions that we can't even begin to fathom that our true potential probably reaches farther than their words ever will. That is why from this day on, I hope myself and everyone reading this can embrace their creativity. Whether one is a writer, photographer or just wants to be heard, I pray they don't let the thoughts and feelings of other people deter anything that could every be accomplished by such brilliant minds. Opinions can be frivolous, so don't let them fool you.