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Author and writer are often used as interchangeable terms. On the surface, these words seem to be saying the same thing in a different way. When you uncover their true definitions, however, it becomes obvious the words carry contrasting meanings.
A writer creates content using ideas originating from another person. An author creates their own ideas and fleshes them out into an article, story, book or another piece of content.
This is a critical difference. Writers and authors are not one and the same. The mechanics of writing do not equal an art form. Authors put their personal stamp on content. Writers simply act as a middle man who brings another person’s vision to life.
Characteristics of Writers
Writers typically work on paid assignments. Their main goal simply involves meeting one deadline and moving on to the next one. They might enjoy writing about certain topics more than others. But their writing is not driven by their own ideas and passions. It is driven simply by filling the content needs of their clients to earn an immediate paycheck.
Anyone can learn how to write well if they practice the mechanics of it long enough. Writing is focused on the technical nuts and bolts such as using active verbs, creating short sentences and and avoiding bad grammar in all forms.
Characteristics of Authors
Authors take things beyond the technical aspect of writing. Unlike a writer, they are responsible for creating things that did not exist beforehand. They plant a seed with an idea and develop it into written words that create memorable characters, paint vibrant settings and grip readers with realistic plots. Their passion and desire to influence readers shows through in how they approach their craft.
Taking such an active role in creating content leads an author to be more invested in marketing it so that it reaches the largest possible target audience. Authors work to build a personal platform where they can engage with their readers. They network with readers, publishers and other authors. Most of all, authors invest a great deal of time and money into turning their passion into a thriving career.
From Writer to Author
Many writers aspire to become authors. They dream about writing a best-selling novel. Their goal is to position themselves as someone who controls what they write. An author does not simply deliver a message crafted by others. They control what they write, and the message their writing contains, because they are the sole creator of what is written.
There is nothing wrong with working solely as a writer. It pays the bills and being paid to write content for others can result in a long and rewarding career.
Becoming an author requires a writer to take an extra step and spin their own creations. A writer who wants to become an author must invest enough time and money to actually do it. You can only complete the journey from writer to author by taking all of the necessary steps yourself.