Characterize myself as a writer

I find it difficult to define one's self as a writer, particularly when it is about me. I know that we have written on this subject before, but it isn't any easier for me to write. I think I would definitely put myself in the amateur group. I know that I don’t have to have anything published or anything to be considered a writer, but I know I need more experience. I honestly don’t write as much as I should. The only times I ever write are at work or the occasional reminder note I write to myself. Oh yeah, of course I can’t forget about my addiction to facebook. Also, I am frequently checking my e-mail. I have many friends and family that are out of town and we stay in contact by e-mail and our facebook accounts. The writing I do at work doesn’t express anything about me as a writer. I only write about the progression of my patients, and even that requires mainly my initials and a very brief summary.

In the brief time that I have been in this class I have learned a great deal. I have learned that in order to write a better and more descriptive essay that I should include my responses, questions, and my own personal problems and solutions with the particular piece of writing. Now the problem that I have with this writing is that I just don’t know what to write about. In my first writing piece I don’t want it to be wrong. I know that this is dumb, but I am a perfectionist and like things to be right the first time. All of my past teachers have told me to get over this because no one is perfect. I know this, but I need to embrace it and put it into use. Knowing that I have to have a certain number of words or pages slows me down also. Mr. Brewer said not to worry about that, but it is almost like a ticking clock in the back of my mind. We learned that we need to start writing rituals in order to write better. I need to find this environment and start my ritual. I learned somewhere that it takes twenty-one days to start a routine, but it takes a month to break one. I found that quite interesting.

However, I am very excited to see where this new, upcoming knowledge of writing is going to take me. I know that it will allow me to express myself more clearly and descriptively to get my ideas out of my head and into print.