A Writer? #reverb10

I'm not sure that I really consider myself a writer.
 
Or at least, I haven't considered it before.
 
When I make a list of hobbies and things I like to do, writing never makes an appearance.
 
When I talk about the things that I am good at, I have never thought to include writing.
 
But, dammit, I am a good writer!  (or should that be "I write well" - ugh - I have never claimed to be an expert grammatically, and probably never will)
 

Over the last three years as a pastor, I have probably written more pages worth of thoughts than I did my entire college career.  I wrote a lot in seminary - so I probably haven't overcome that work yet... but I'm getting there!

 

It is a completely different sort of writing, however.  I'm writing not for a teacher and not an academic paper, but I am writing for an audience.  I am writing things that are meant to be read. I am writing things that I read/preach out loud - writing that becomes spoken and heard by many. I write for everyday folks. I write to make connections with other people and to bring things to life. And besides the sermon writing I do - and many times I would include sermons, also - I write because it brings me enjoyment.

 

And I love doing it.  I love bringing together different sorts of situations and concepts and making connections.  I love telling some one's story - whether it is someone in scripture or a stranger who has passed away.  I love to write!  I AM A WRITER!!!

 

So when I think about the prompt for December 2:

Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?(Author: Leo Babauta)

I think first and foremost that I do (did) not believe I am a writer.

And if I don't think of myself as a writer on a daily basis, then I do not practice my craft.  I don't work on it.  I don't give myself time to write.  I see it as something in the background, rather than a central part of who I am. 

I have tried at various times to be a musician and a chef and an artist and to play guitar and to sing and what not... some of those things I can do - and am getting better at doing the more I do it.  But I think if I look at all of those things, nothing really gives me the kind of satisfaction that I receive when I sit down and let my thoughts pour out.  None of them have allowed me to connect with other people the way that my writing does.

What I appreciate the most about this whole reverb10 enterprise is the fact that I am discovering so much about myself.  I'm letting go of doubts and self-denial and I'm just taking the risk.  I'm putting it out there.  And it feels so freakin' good to say it! 

I am a writer! And I can't wait to see where this realization takes me.