Of bloggers and writers.

When I was in Year 10 I thought I was quite a good writer. It came easily to me and I had a good grasp of grammar. I had an English teacher who thought less of my skills than I did. He said I'd make a good copywriter or editor as I could use pretty words and summarize issues very well, but I only ever skimmed the surface. My writing had no depth.

At the time I was so wounded, but these days I think I understand better what he meant.

In my life before children I was an English teacher (along with Psychology and a generalist Grade 5 teacher). That ability to edit and recognize errors on sight served me well. But a writer? Not so much.

I've had some interesting conversations about this lately. I was telling Karen (Miscellaneous Mum - who is a real and proper writer herself) last week that I'm a bit shocked to be in the company of 'real' writers over at iVillage. I'm not entirely sure how I managed to make the cut.

There are so many talented bloggers out there. People who share their lives openly and whose writing can make your breath catch in your throat. Bloggers like Deb. Bloggers like Eden. And so many more.

I am not writing this so people will say 'oh but you are a good writer'. I know my strengths, and my weaknesses. I'm still very good at using pretty words and glossing over the top of things. I am happy to write the way I do and I love the community I have found in the blogosphere. I write for myself and I write for the people who take the time to comment and let me know they are here.

I guess what I'm getting at is that in my head writers and bloggers have been two separate things, when in fact they are the same. I write stuff and I publish it on the internet and sometimes people are kind enough to write back to me too. That's a bit awesome, huh? I may not be the deepest thinker, the most soulful wordsmith... but I am me and that is okay.

I wonder what Mr Whatshisname would make of it all.