what makes one a writer?

I have often wondered what exactly makes someone a writer. I mean what gives you the someone the right to call themselves a writer.

Must you have a short story published in order to call yourself a writer?

Or perhaps you must have some sort of writing degree to call yourself a writer.

Perhaps you can call yourself a writer if you have written your the rough draft for your first novel.

I used to believe that if you accomplished any one of these things then you had every right to call yourself a writer. Thus, since I have not accomplished any one of these things I never felt I had the right to the call myself a writer. But all that has changed. I believe that if you can write a good piece that makes sense and that people can appreciate, then by all means, call yourself a writer.

And so, hello there. My name is Monique and I am writer.