Defining The Writer

Let me ask a question; well, a few, actually; what is a writer? Is it somebody who puts pen to paper? Types away on a keyboard? What do they write, and to what end? A book? A comic? A play? The story to the latest videogame? Or the next hottest blockbuster to hit the silver screen? Could they really be considered writers?

The answer? Yes. Absolutely.

 

Writing is a very complex art. There is more to it than anyone cares to realize, with not one defining definition on the term.

For the longest time, when I was younger, I considered a book/novel as the epitome of writing, what all writers strive for. Then I discovered comics, and was fascinated with the creative storytelling involved. I was able to invest in the characters, the heroes fighting the villains, and it was all possible by the writer in question. Not bad for something that's supposed to rot your brain.

These days, videogames are becoming more and more advanced, and not just in the graphics. Some of the best games to hit stores are being held in high value due to their excellent story, which means some creative busy body cooked up a story that everyone appreciated. We've come a long way since the simple, humble days of Super Mario, so much so that story and good characterization is the expected norm.

Everyone has heard of the name William Shakespeare, the most famous playwright to have ever playwritten (though whether you believe he wrote all his plays himself is a debate for another day), and why is he? Its not like Will wrote a book of his plays before, and after they were produced. No, he wrote plays, and only plays, where upon actors took the characters he created and performed them in front of many people, and they're still being performed to this very day.

But can we really call Mr. Shakespeare a writer? Of course we can, because he is. A playwright is still a writer, after all, the clue is in the name.

So? You may be asking, what's your point? None whatsoever, truth be told. This latest blog entry is merely a reminder of what a writer is, and what a writer can be.

A writer is someone who creates new worlds every single day, filled with new characters in dangerous life or death situations. Its a tough gig, but someone's gotta do it. And a writer can be more than just rich and famous, (though if that's your sole reason, I've got bad news for you...) they can develop many titles to their name; novelist, poet, playwright, the list goes on, but above all else, they can be a creative giant.

Its a shame that writers are considered expendable in some forms of the entertainment world; these men, and women, have possibly the most creative minds known to man, and give us many hours of excitement within their pages. To treat them any less is disrespectful not only to the authors in question, but to the entire world of literature.

So, you see, there is more to writing than meets the eye, and the truth is not WHAT a writer does that's important, but HOW a writer does it.