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Kerry Graham's avatar

Elzada James: Hi, my name is Elzada James.

I am a writer. I know I am a writer because I always felt like one and gravitated to the work, even as a small child. I deserve to call myself a writer because I have spent too many years drowning in identities not my own, denying what I am good at and what makes me happy. No longer.

I am a writer. I write about hard and beautiful things; I am currently working on a poetry book centered around the gritty, unspoken, gnarled-edge challenges of transitioning into motherhood.

https://substack.com/profile/218370557-elzada-james/note/c-126914170

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Kerry Graham's avatar

Liz Mugavero/Cate Conte: I know I’m a writer because I write.

Hi, I’m Liz (and Cate!) and I’m a writer.

https://substack.com/profile/36463223-liz-mugaverocate-conte/note/c-126771888

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Kelly Thompson TNWWY: I know I’m a writer because I’ve rewritten this sentence five times and it still doesn’t feel right.

I deserve to call myself a writer because I write. That’s it. No one else gets to define the threshold.

Hi, my name is Kelly. I’m a writer.

https://substack.com/profile/2402705-kelly-thompson-tnwwy/note/c-126768362

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Josee Smith: I know I’m a writer because I can’t stop crafting stories to share with the world. (Love this practice, Kerry!)

https://substack.com/profile/2744128-josee-smith/note/c-126764269

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Elizabeth Burton: I know I’m a writer because, while I may not love every moment of writing, I LOVE having written.

https://substack.com/profile/31083513-elizabeth-burton/note/c-126758792

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Katy Dalgleish: I know I am a writer when I wake up in the morning and my characters are talking to each other in my head.

https://substack.com/profile/10121891-katy-dalgleish/note/c-126754726

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Robin Yaklin: I know I’m a writer because (long ago), essays, news and magazine articles bloomed. Now, a long work is underway and imposter syndrome has me by the throat.

https://substack.com/profile/6514996-robin-yaklin/note/c-126753435

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Miranda Beverly-Whittemore: I know I’m a writer because it’s the thing I’m best at.

https://substack.com/profile/1495087-miranda-beverly-whittemore/note/c-126744180

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Laury Boone Browning: I know I'm a writer.

https://substack.com/profile/5803075-laury-boone-browning/note/c-126737100

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Emma Vivian: I know I’m a writer because I’m always crafting the perfect opening sentence in my head 🙂

https://substack.com/profile/231335012-emma-vivian/note/c-126729364

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Alyson Mosquera Dutemple: I’m a writer because I don’t know how not to be a writer :)

https://substack.com/profile/15254209-alyson-mosquera-dutemple/note/c-126726929

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Kerry Graham's avatar

Michelle Dowd: I know I'm a writer because I write.

https://substack.com/@mdowd/note/c-126723155

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Julie Snider's avatar

I know I’m a writer because I’m smiling at all the rejections of my novel and excited to be on the self publishing journey. I’ve written, revised, edited, had others edit, and now…here comes the baby!

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Kerry Graham's avatar

Julie! I'm so happy for you. Writers keep going; you and your novel embody that.

Congratulations!

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Kasey Butcher Santana's avatar

I know I'm a writer because I put my butt in a chair and do it every day, even if just for a few minutes. ❤️📝

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Kerry Graham's avatar

"Butt in a chair" is a must. Yay you for doing it.

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Stanley C.'s avatar

I'm a writer because I have something meaningful to share with people who love music, and I enjoy using the written word to accomplish that goal. :)

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Kerry Graham's avatar

Oooo. "Something meaningful to share with people who love music" is SUCH a great reason. I'm so glad you know you're a writer. Thank you for being one!

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Leah Weiss, PhD's avatar

Love the point about seeking solidarity

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Kerry Graham's avatar

Thank you! For as glorious as writing is, it can be so lonely, don't you think?

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Leah Weiss, PhD's avatar

Definitely!

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