We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I saw this quote in FreelanceDaily.net (If you don’t subscribe, it’s totally worth it!) and it reminded me of the writers vs. wannabe deal. I can’t tell you how many people come up to me after (or before) my class, “Breaking Into Freelance Writing” and talk about how they have “always wanted to write a book” or “always wanted to be a writer.” How can you WANT to be a writer? I hate to sound like Yoda but there is no want…you just do.
This is the only difference b/n us and them. We write and they talk about writing. That’s why I stopped going to writers’ groups. So frustrating. I have much more respect for people who write and submit and get rejections (especially if they learn what to fix) than those who don’t even try.
Of course, I write for a living – not “for fun” (though I love what I do!) – so I”m a bit biased. ; )
Ask Wendy-The Query Queen 
Hi Wendy!
I would so like to attend your class. 🙂 I did as you advised and looked for an online course for writing marketing but could only find bogus ones. I found a cool course at the Renegade Writer blog but it’s got a specific date on when they’ll start.
Which category would I be? Am I still a wannabe? I’m just starting out. I’ve been rejected by blogs and fiction editors. I have just started writing for a small magazine and writing guest posts for blogs. I’ve got some articles up at Ezine and see the readers in my blog grow weekly. But I feel frustrated I’m not doing enough.
Found your book offer in my blog. Meant to reply to it soon but things at my college have been PRETTY hectic these past few weeks. I’m not doing any daily goals in writing. 😦
I’ll answer though when things have died down for a bit.
It’s me again. I”m not quite sure if my comment appeared or got swallowed in China’s firewall. Or perhaps your comment moderator is really strong and my lengthy comment got swallowed. 😦