what's in a title?

What makes one officially a writer? I still have a difficult time referring to myself as such, despite the fact that I’ve been paid to conduct interviews and write reviews, and have had my "work" circulated in print and online media outlets. Maybe it’s from having spent time around so many talented "serious" writers in Iowa. I kind of feel like a kid whose father is a concert pianist, that sneaks downstairs and bangs his fists on the piano keys, thinking, "I’m making music!"

Or maybe it’s from having studied music as an undergrad and having played professionally for so long – I feel like I haven’t suffered enough to earn the title of "writer" yet. I was talking to my friend Aimee on the phone the other day, and she asked me a question about Julia's and my writing habits in comparison to her and her husband(!), Matt’s. I was taken aback that she would put me on equal footing with them, both of whom are published and have taught at multiple universities.

Regardless, I kind of enjoy not taking myself too seriously. There are all sorts of insecurities associated with my music-making, none of which have crept into my writing process (at least not yet). I have had my writing workshopped three times now, and must say that I really enjoy the experience (the good and the bad). I’m not so sure I’d feel the same way about workshopping my music.

Don’t get me wrong, though – I still drool over the positive reinforcement, and few things give me as much pleasure as using the written word to induce laughter, even the virtual LOL/LMAO kind. Sometimes when I write something I think is funny, I have Julia read it in front of me or when I’m on the phone with her, so I can hear her laugh. Is that something a real writer would do?