What Makes A Writer A Writer? An Exploration in Asking and Answering This Question.

By Julie Cordova

Look up “writer” in any dictionary and it will likely define a writer as “anyone who writes”. This study initiates a discussion to refine what it means to be a writer—a real writer—not to judge, but to suggest guidelines, expectations, and well-defined standards by reviewing best practices and industry expectations—because being a writer really is more than just being someone who writes. Interviews were conducted with published fiction authors; and analysis found that there were twenty identifiable attributes for writers that go beyond just writing. These attributes include such things as studying the craft, meeting quotas, accepting rejection, being career-oriented, and being read publicly. These 20 attributes define some expectations and standards which confirm that the simple act of writing does not make one a writer. Graphs based on the 20 qualities create an interactive user-friendly tool for would be writers who are looking to energize their writing journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Cordova
• Release date: Dec 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466199187

Julie Cordova

Julie has a Master's in Liberal Studies in Arts and Culture with a Creative Writing Specialty at the University of Denver. She earned her BA in Communication graduating Magna Cum Laude also from the University of Denver. When she isn't working, reading, or writing, she likes to watch movies and go camping. She happily shares her life with her husband of over twenty-years. The empty-nest couple enjoy spending as much time as they can with their sons. Julie does her best to live by the mantra: never let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

Book preview

What Makes a Writer a Writer?

An Exploration in Asking and Answering This Question

by Julie Cordova

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Julie Cordova

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover Art: Anya McManis, Kreative Keystrokes, Denver, CO. http://kreativekeystrokes.com/

Editor: Connor Fisher, Denver CO

Author Photograph: Molly Yamanaka Denver, CO.

Julie Cordova holds a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a major in Arts and Culture and a Specialty in Creative Writing from the University of Denver. She also earned her B.A. in communication from DU and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is currently putting into practice what she learned through this research and she is exceeding her expectations.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my family and friends with love and appreciation. It is also given with special thanks to Tracey Lee who gave up her time so unselfishly to help me transcribe the taped interviews and Dr. Laura Pritchett for helping me define and refine the research.

Acknowledgements

To the authors who so willingly gave of their time for interviews - Thank you!!

Amanda Rae who made interviewing humorous and delightful; Cortwright McMeel, whose enthusiasm and energy stayed with me as I pushed to meet the deadline and graduate; David Wroblewski, whose honest approach and metaphors helped me immensely; Diane Mott Davidson, my inspiration for over a decade, what an honor it was to learn from you; Eleanor Brown, who met with me in between a busy flight schedule and her promotional tour. I felt honored talking with you and enriched by your easy laugh and insight. Gary Schanbacher, who I now view as a mentor and friend, who is selflessly supportive of so many writers, thank you; Jenny Shank—interviewing Jenny was like having coffee with an old friend. Thank you for your insight into the publishing world and living the writer’s life as a wife, mother, friend, and writing-community member; Mario Acevedo whose humor stayed with me long after we met. I look forward to laughing with you more at literary events around town. Again, thank you for letting me see that living the writer’s life is possible. Your guidance into the world I want to live in was invaluable. Nick Arvin, thank you for sticking with the interview that was by far the most adventurous and for showing me that it is possible to devote oneself to two career paths and still meet other life commitments, joys, and fun. William Haywood Henderson, a giant in my mind—thank you for confirming a life in literature is valuable, doable, and worth the effort.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: A Literature Review

Chapter Three: Further Exploration

Design

Implementation

Chapter Four: Results and Analysis

Participants

Analysis of Participant Bios

Interview Review

Data Analysis

Chapter Five: Utilizing the Findings

Chapter Six: Other Considerations

References

Chapter One: Introduction

A decade ago, while consoling me through a fit of self doubt and angst, a friend held out my unpublished novel and said, "You wrote this.

Reviews for What Makes A Writer A Writer? An Exploration in Asking and Answering This Question.

[Peter Blake · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Succinct and crystal clear, this little book clarifies what the writing life looks like, and why. It walks a lovely line between careful research and personal testimony. All writers and would-be writers should read it, if only to compare their assumptions with those of the interviewees.