Am I a Writer or a Blogger?
I started writing to channel the avalanche of opinions, feelings and creative ideas that relentlessly rattled through my mind. Articles, stories, poems and more would stomp around my consciousness making it impossible to focus on anything. I needed an outlet; a means of allowing them to escape and do some good. Writing was that, of course. Eventually, I found a little success; some of my work became published and much of it under consideration but life took a turn. I had to give up. The creativity faded but never quite vanished, ideas slipped through and I would fall into phases of depression when not acted on. During this time, I started a few blogs; a means of dealing with the goblins in my head. However, time and time again they failed for both personal and professional reasons. Until, The Busy Papa; but, am I now a writer or a blogger?
The Great Divide
Across the summer of last year, I asked myself a lot about the differences between the two. Hours were spent reading articles, blog posts and message boards on this very topic.My partner, a blogger herself (who doesn’t identify as a writer) and I talked of it too. We agreed that there is a distinction, that they are different crafts with separate skillsets and expectations. Good writing, a great blogger does not make and the same is true in reverse. We realised that we weren’t alone in this conclusion. In fact, searches online indicate that people clearly choose to identify as one over the other. But I don’t seem able to.
Aaron the Writer
That creativity is back; sparked into full effect and passionately channelled. I have an endless pile of story briefs; many started. Numerous poems and articles have been brought to life over the last year and there is no sign of this slowing.I’m writing. I am a writer again. This is fantastic! I feel truly myself. Naturally, I have support; I’m far from alone. However, the point is; I claimed an aspect of me back from the brink of extinction and it’s stronger than ever.I’m passionate about life in a way I never have been before and with that I am writing more fervently than I could ever have imagined.
Aaron the Blogger
With The Busy Papa, I struggled for a while. The beginning was tough. It’s hard to know which content to focus on, how to write and what niche to carve when everyone has an opinion, and everyone did. What was supposed to be a way of dealing with my own mind, became a source of anxiety and stress. However, I had a good feeling about it and pushed past the negativity.What came to be; was a catalyst for immensely powerful positive change.As a blogger, I have connected with like-minded people living life on their own terms. Discovered the power of self-promotion through social media. Joined communities. Made diverse contacts and taken on fascinating projects. More than anything though, I’ve come to accept that I myself am my own niche and have something to offer.Blogging has become a part of me that I love and am proud of.
Writer or Blogger?
Writer. Blogger. Blogger. Writer. It is easy looking online, to develop a sort of professional identity crisis. I am both, I love both and I refuse to choose or elevate one over the other.I want to write stories and poems, articles and blog posts, to express my views on the environment, wellbeing, ethical living and whatever else tickles my intellectual and creative fancy.What it all comes down to, is that I am both a blogger, writer and more and so I refuse to ever again deny a part of who I am.
The Busy Papa
Also known as Aaron, The Busy Papa focuses on lifestyle, parenting and personal wellbeing content. He has two decades experience in creative writing (including several published poems) and strongly dislikes (though tolerates) tomatoes.
I am with you, I struggled for a while with my identity and to feel confident in saying I am both – why is that?? I wanted to pigeonhole myself into one or the other category, am I a writer who blogs or a blogger who writes? And it’s flexible, at the monent I am the latter as I am not writing apart from my blog but that IS a form of writing! Thanks for writing this post.
It is really reassuring to know that I am not alone!
This is a good question! Me personally definitely a blogger, partly because I’ll never be such a pro that I could ever write decently in English as it’s a learnt language for me.
I didn’t know this about you Eva! What is your first language? Also, thank you for the comment.
This is a great question.
For me I am a blogger who’d love to be a writer. But I’ve always wanted to be a writer.
I’ve just never let people read it before. I hope one day blogging is the door to my writing journey x
The thing I’ve learned is whether a blog post, an article, a story or poem – write with passion and someone will always love or relate to it.
Great post this. I’m definetely a blogger over a writer and to a certain degree i’m even better at the promotion of my sites than I am about the actual blog content lol
We all have our strengths and blogging has so many different skills and aspects to it that sometimes it is easier to focus on the parts that are the easiest or most fun to us.
As someone who has two businesses I totally get the identity crisis. I think the thing to do is find one common denominator that pins two and go with that. And that – I guess – is essentially a writer!
That does make sense, both do involve writing! Thank you for your reply.
Great post! As English is my second language, sometimes I get stuck when trying to write some posts. I like to read creative writers and bloggers. It helps when learning a new language. Your blog is definitely a place to feel inspired. Thanks for sharing!
Those words are really nice Simone, thank you!
I know for now a blogger…as like others have said…I don’t think I have the talent for writing a book or poems. I think you don’t need a label as such…you can do both?
Both are absolutely an option. People can be many things at once. The question comes more from identifying the differences and working out where I sit. Purely, introspectively.
I agree wholeheartedly with this blog post. I find myself questioning the same thing. Especially when I get attacked for small grammar mistakes on my blog posts. There is a difference between the two, as blogging is a more free spirited form of expression. If you happen to add an extra comma, it isn’t the end of the world. Writing is more “you better cross those t’s and dot those I’s if you want to be taken seriously.” Great blog.
There is sometimes a degree of snobbery in writing. What the people who do this seem to forget though is that writers tend to have a resource that bloggers don’t… an editor. Someone who proof-reads, corrects mistakes, questions and strips down the content.
Wonderful. What a lovely introspective article
Thank you, kindly.
Excellent post! I see myself as a blogger. Writer? Maybe one day 🙂
Thank you so much! Best of luck both in your blogging and writing.
hmm blogger or writer? personally I identify as a blogger because for me a writer produces books. That’s just me though. Interesting read 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read! That’s an interesting take, although would you consider someone who writes articles for a website a writer still? Do you see a difference between that person and a blogger or not really?
I have always found it hard to put myself into either category. However if you really think about it has being a blogger/writer has many roles so a content creator seems the best fit for me now.
Content creator makes sense, it’s only when drilling down to a specific type of content where these labels really come in. Sometimes that’s needed, sometimes not.
Very thought provoking. I suppose I’m stranded in the middle. I would class myself as a writer, because I primarily write for me. But in a blogging format!
Thank you for your kind words. In the end, it doesn’t matter all that much and they’re all just labels for things we do but it is cool to take a step back and think about it sometimes.
I’m definitely blogger. I have no desire to make it anything more really.
And that’s great! Blogging is fantastic in so many ways.
Good question, and one I struggle with too. I’ve written a couple of articles for other things before, but mostly I just write my blog.
I’m glad it isn’t just me. Thanks for replying!
I think it depends, when I write for me I am a blogger, however, if I work for others I definitely consider myself a writer
That’s an interesting take on it. So, for you; your blog is more writing you do for yourself and the readership is a bonus?
I kinda think you can be both, well I see myself as both and I like that as it gives creative freedom to move between them
Laura x