authors?

[Johanna]

pardon my ignorance... what's YA?

I'm so sorry, I've been talking about writing and stuff for so long that I use the abbrevations automatically. Like Pathless said, it's short for Young Adult.

[Susma Rio Sep]

12-18-2003, 03:58 PM

Authors or writers? Post #16

Susma Rio Sep
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003


Is there a difference between an author and a writer?

Susma Rio Sep

I have not received so far any contributions here directly on the difference between an author and a writer.

So I might as well answer my own query:

A writer is one who puts in words other people's ideas. For example, the advertising copywriter, the technical manual writer, a textbook writer.

An author is one who puts in words his own ideas. For example, Christians believe that God is the author of the Bible, Machiavelli is the author of The Prince, Asimov is the author of {i]The Three Laws of Robotics[i].

Of course many people essentially put into words of their own choice and arrangements the ideas already authored by others; and they are writers, not authors.

Authors need not always produce new ideas, but they must introduce at least a different way of looking at prevailing ideas.

Most people do writing basically, present company not exempted.

Susma Rio Sep

[Johanna]

An author is someone who has written something (a novel usually), a writer is someone who writes (or tries to). An author is a writer, but a writer is not always an author. I think.

[Susma Rio Sep]

Originally Posted by Johanna

An author is someone who has written something (a novel usually), a writer is someone who writes (or tries to). An author is a writer, but a writer is not always an author. I think.

Thanks, Joh; I can accept that also, it adds to my education.

Susma Rio Sep

[Susma Rio Sep]

Originally Posted by Susma Rio Sep

I have not received so far any contributions here directly on the difference between an author and a writer.

So I might as well answer my own query:

A writer is one who puts in words other people's ideas. For example, the advertising copywriter, the technical manual writer, a textbook writer.

An author is one who puts in words his own ideas. For example, Christians believe that God is the author of the Bible, Machiavelli is the author of The Prince, Asimov is the author of [i]The Three Laws of Robotics[i].

Of course many people essentially put into words of their own choice and arrangements the ideas already authored by others; and they are writers, not authors.

Authors need not always produce new ideas, but they must introduce at least a different way of looking at prevailing ideas.

Most people do writing basically, present company not exempted.

Susma Rio Sep

And Johanna adds:

An author is someone who has written something (a novel usually), a writer is someone who writes (or tries to). An author is a writer, but a writer is not always an author. I think.

I can see that we are not propounding new ideas here. (Well, if someone is, let's hear from him about his new ideas.)

Authors of novels, if any here, would you like to put your works in the Internet for free reading? -- but not here, not enough space...

What are we guys here doing, when we are not propounding new ideas and not of course installing pages and pages of our novels, in these boards here? (Someone here runs a column down below. What do you other guys think, Is he an author or a writer?)

For my part, in writing about fundamentally hand-me-down ideas, and receiving reactions from others here, I get to understand more faithfully these ideas, their strengths and their weaknesses, their merits and their demerits. And I get a chance to work my brain cells. Use them or lose them.

Susma Rio Sep

[Zenda71]

I'm on the other end of the biz ... I'm an editor ... but for medical texts. (Put your manuscript away, please ).

In my free time, and solely for personal satisfaction, I write poetry. Really bad poetry. But it helps channel the excess ego energy ...

[Vajradhara]

Originally Posted by Johanna

I'm so sorry, I've been talking about writing and stuff for so long that I use the abbrevations automatically. Like Pathless said, it's short for Young Adult.

Namaste Johanna,

thank you and pathless for the explanation

it has taken me a long time to quit using abbreviations that seem so clear to me yet are confusing to others... i've really had to learn that lesson well on the 'net since folks are coming from all over the world and may not have the same common background of knowledge that i have.

[StrangeQuark]

I suppose I am still aspiring, although I have one book in production now with a print-on-demand publisher. It will take a lot of work to progress that way. The POD is still waiting for me to submit a second manuscript that I have been taking my sweet ol' time editing.

We'll see how well this works out for me, I guess. Since I have plenty of other ideas, not to mention complete drafts of some work, I can always try traditional publishers again later, I hope.

I write mostly fantasy, although I have plans for one hard sci-fi epic. The book I'm publishing may be of some interest here, although since I've been perusing the forum I've discovered I have more to learn. The story is supposed to express an eclectic spiritual philosophy, and there are characters from several different cultural/religious backgrounds. Now I know the story is not quite so "inclusive" as I had planned, but I still think it's pretty good.

Of course, I am definitely biased on this point!

I've wanted to write since I was very young (about 9), after I read the Lord of the Rings.

[Zenda71]

I'm on the other side of the business ... I'm an editor by profession. Medical stuff, although I've done some "work" for friends.

And I write poetry in my spare time. Does that make me an author? Or just hopelessly self-absorbed?

With metta,
Zenda