We’ve all heard the classic advice: “Dress for the job you want.” It makes sense. You want to be a CEO? Suit up. A firefighter? Probably best to invest in some flame-resistant gear. But when it comes to writing… how exactly does a writer dress?

Is there some kind of official uniform? A tweed blazer with elbow patches? A coffee-stained hoodie? Pajamas at 3 PM? The answer, much like writing itself, is up for interpretation.

The Writer’s Wardrobe: A Mystery

Everything I’ve read about becoming a writer boils down to one simple rule: Just write. That’s it. If you write, you’re a writer. There’s no official hat (although, if there were, it would probably be an old beanie that barely clings to life).

But this got me thinking—does writing alone make you a writer? Or do you need something more? A title? A book deal? A degree in Advanced Metaphors and Procrastination?

Let’s examine this in the way all great writers do—by making up comparisons that barely make sense.

The Racecar Driver Conundrum

If I speed on the highway (strictly hypothetically, of course—please don’t tell the cops), can I call myself a racecar driver? No. One, because I’m not actually racing anyone but time. And two, I’m not driving an actual racecar—just my slightly dented, questionably reliable vehicle that occasionally makes a noise that concerns me.

So does the same logic apply to writing? If I write but don’t have a book deal, am I really a writer? I say yes.

What Really Makes a Writer?

Some might argue that you need to be published to claim the title. But that’s like saying you need to be in the NBA to call yourself a basketball player. What about the kid playing pickup games at the park? Or the dad who dominates the neighborhood driveway tournament? They’re still playing basketball.

Others say you need a degree. But in today’s high-tech world, you can learn nearly everything about storytelling, grammar, and the Oxford comma (which is not up for debate, by the way) from the internet. Does that make a self-taught writer any less of a writer than someone with a diploma? I don’t think so.

The Truth: Writing Makes You a Writer

It’s simple. If you write, you are a writer. Whether it’s a novel, a blog post, a collection of scribbled thoughts in a notebook—you’re doing the thing.

And the best part? Unlike a racecar driver, you don’t need a fancy uniform or an expensive machine. You just need words and the courage to claim the title.

So, if you’re sitting there wondering, “Am I really a writer?” let me be the first to tell you:

Yes. You are.

Now, go write something. Bonus points if you do it in pajamas.