O Writer, Who Art Thou?

Posted on by

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” —Oscar Wilde

* * *

Who are you?

The image above is the Road ID bracelet I wear when I go outside for a run. It’s one of those “just in case” things. The little statement at the bottom of the ID says a lot about me, and not just about running. I like to think that I always finish what I start.

Of course, human beings are complicated organisms, and we can’t summarize someone by just a few words. (That would make them flat characters. 😊)

On the other hand, it is fun to find short phrases that shine a light on who we are and what our attitude toward life is, so I went looking for descriptions that might fit some of the people I know. Here are a few I found interesting:

  1. Make a difference
  2. Make somebody’s day
  3. Living the dream
  4. Grateful beyond words
  5. Child of God
  6. Party animal
  7. Dark Horse
  8. Happy Camper
  9. Hard work makes good luck
  10. Challenges make life interesting
  11. Be consistent
  12. Believe in your dreams
  13. Go the extra mile
  14. Give 100%
  15. If it wasn’t hard, why do it

* * *

Who are you as a writer?

What about our approach to writing? I know people who select a single word to focus on throughout a new year. That never appealed to me until a couple of years ago when I decided to give it a try. Now that we’re at the beginning of 2025 with all our writing goals for the year in place, maybe it’s time to select a word or phrase to post above the desk to help us stay focused all year long.

This year I decided to go for a full phrase. It’s one of my favorite pieces of advice: Festina Lente, Latin for Make haste slowly. Although it seems incongruous, the phrase makes perfect sense. Work as hard as you can, but don’t rush through the job. (I wrote a TKZ blog post about Festina Lente a few years ago that explains where the phrase originated and its relationship to writing.)

But I wanted to add a little extra something to my favorite phrase to make it perfect this year, so I used Google translate to find the Latin equivalents of my additions. I printed it out in Algerian font and hung it above my desk.

Festina Lente
Cum
Alacritate,
Gratia, et
Voluntate

Looks impressive, eh? It means Make haste slowly with enthusiasm, gratitude, and determination. If I feel myself moving toward that “things aren’t going the way I want them to” sinkhole, I look at my little sign and remember what I’m supposed to be concentrating on.

* * *

Defining ourselves in just a few words may seem like an academic exercise, but it can also focus our work and attitude on the things that we feel are most important.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

* * *

So TKZers: What word or phrase would you use to define yourself? Your writing? Do you have a word or phrase to concentrate on during 2025?

 

 

“a spectacular tale of a decades-old murder mystery, human drama, and a hint of romance” —Prairie Book Reviews

Available at  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, or Apple Books.

 

24 thoughts on “O Writer, Who Art Thou?”

  1. “If I don’t write it, who will?”

    The subjects I write about, and the way I write, and who I am are connected to chronic illness and disability in a way I haven’t seen often, and not in fiction (Laura Hillenbrand wrote Seabiscuit, narrative non-fiction – the same way I write, slowly and difficultly when our bodies and minds let us – she has the same ME/CFS I have).

    It’s taken me 24 years to get out the first two volumes of my mainstream trilogy – I hope I make it to the end of the third. The time will have passed either way, but I’m much happier to have that in my life.

    “If I don’t FINISH it, who will?”

    Not that I have anything against healthy or able people writing what I write, but that I think there are some extras the reader gets because I know intimately what I’m talking about in certain areas. The thought keeps me writing.

    • Good morning, Alicia.

      I admire your determination. It’s so true that each of us has some unique part of the human experience that we can share through our writing. I’m grateful that you are staying the course despite all the obstacles.

      Have a good writing week.

  2. When I was about five years old I dressed up in my pink ballet tights and ballet slippers, my black leotard, tied a pink towel around my neck like a cape, grabbed a flashlight, and declared myself The Bringer of Light.

    So.much in this world is negative. I want to bring laughter, hope, appreciation for the good things in life. I want people to come away from my writing with a lighter heart.

  3. Kay, I remember Festina Lente well b/c that post referred to Aesop’s Fables. I’m the tortoise in that tale, plodding along, day by day every day.

    Be persistent, be consistent, and keep learning.

    Cynthia, I love “Bringer of Light”. Always a worthy goal for all writers.

    • Good morning, Debbie!

      I also identify with the tortoise. So much wisdom in those fables. I’ve heard it said that persistence is more important than talent, and I believe it.

      Have a great week!

  4. My yoga instructor always has a single word for the year. Hers this year is Magic.
    Mine is Endure.

    • Good morning, Terry.

      I’m with you on endurance. It’s just possible that the only way to achieve the magic is through endurance.

      Have a good week.

    • Good morning, Harald.

      “Swim or Die.” I love it. (Except for the “or Die” part. 🙂 )

      The discipline required for athletics must be helpful in all other aspects of life, don’t you think? Happy splashing!

    • Okay, Jim. You almost made me spill my coffee. 🙂

      “Type Faster” is a phrase we can all use. (Just fyi: I looked it up in Latin: “Typus Citius.” All in all, I think the English is better.)

      Have a good week.

    • Good morning, Dale!

      Great phrases to live and write by. I especially like “Be Fearless.” Fear is a problem for so many of us who write. Good reminder.

      Have a great week.

  8. “We write our own destiny;
    we become what we do.”
    ― Soong May-ling Madame Chiang Kai-Shek

    To be a writer, I must write. To be a joyful person, I must feel joy every day.

    • Good morning, Dan!

      I like it. I need reminders to look at every day to keep me on track. Good luck with the book! Let us know when it’s finished. (No pressure. 🙂 )

      Happy writing.

  11. The reason I write is because I must.

    That’s 6 or 7 but taken as a whole it says what I’m thinkin.

    I had this discussion with my mentor who lives in Lincoln City, Oregon, He posed the question more or less “With all this schmutz being cranked out with AI and flooding the universe like a tidal wave, why do we do it? Try to write good stuff, I mean.”
    That was the best answer I cpould come up with.

    You tested my high school Latin a bit here. The last time was at the doctor’s office when I was looking at his Yale diploma when he came in.

    • Hi Robert,

      “The reason I write is because I must.” Good description of who you are as a writer.

      I took Latin in school and I loved it. Too bad they don’t put the doctor’s test scores on the diploma that hangs in the office. I’d be interested to know how well he/she did in medical school.

Comments are closed.