My friend Red opened a can of worms by asking this question. Although I haven't "known" her long, something tells me she does this quite a bit. In one of her blog posts she asked how we would describe ourselves most often, by choosing one thing.
It's funny, but when I watch game shows I always root for the person who describes himself or herself most creatively. I groan at the "I am married with x amount of children." Not that it's a bad thing to be, but if that's all there is to defining a woman ... I live in the wrong universe. Don't get me wrong, I cherish this role, but to say that defines me?
It is hard to narrow it down to one description because there are so many layers to me. While I am technically unemployed (a 99er), I do not even count in the statistics because I dropped off their books long ago. I am disabled, but do not like that label and also am not classified that as per the government.
What's left? I am not Alexandra either. I chose this pen name because my parents named me wrong. I never liked my name and have no middle name to turn to. I always joke that "my parents could not afford one."
So, the part that is left is to say that I am a writer. I stated this before elsewhere, but I choose this, for now, because it beats saying I am unemployed.
It's like the motto "I think, therefore I am." If I say I am unemployed or disabled it means acceptance, I refuse that. If I say I am a writer, I am.
However, a writer is not my profession, it is my character - call me a word witch instead. That would be my one word. Why witch and not word smith? Because there are millions of word smiths, I am not one of a million, I prefer to think of myself as one in a million. The downside is it can make for a lonely life to stand apart, but it is what it is.
Also, a smith uses a heavy instrument to beat into shape what he wants. I craft my words with more than just a keyboard and screen as a hammer and anvil. I like to think I use more finesse. Witch in this sense is not the kind you'd burn at the stake, but in a way writing the wrong thing and putting it to the wrong audience can lead to that in a metaphorical sense. Word crafting also encompasses many things, like character and spirituality, but needs the dose of "reality" (translation: grammar and punctuation) because otherwise, no one would take your craft seriously.
About Alexandra Heep
About Alexandra Heep: The internet has allowed allowed Alexandra to maintain a semblance of life when encountering an unexpected, lingering health crisis. The Internet is a lifeline which not only allows her to remain connected to friends, but also survive, via writing.While Alexandra Heep is her pen name, she does not hide behind it. Instead, she used it to brand herself on the Internet and to create opportunities.
Alexandra published her first book, a collection of her best poems, on July 11, 2012. You can buy it at Lulu.com
Alexandra published her first book, a collection of her best poems, on July 11, 2012. You can buy it at Lulu.com
13 comments:
Brilliant description! I hope you come by for mine in the morning. I was putting the final pix in it when that one went live.
Have a fab night, Alex! You really made mine.
Red.
PS I do it all the time!
And you so need a stinking LOVE button!
I have no idea if blogger has those buttons. Thanks ...
Very good post Alex. I don't like those women either who state "I'm married with 3 or 4 kids" ... have they lost themselves along the way?
Conny is not my real name either. My dad wanted to call me Rita, my mom named me something else. I lived with a name I hated for 21 years and then decided it was time for a change.
With the change of name came a whole new personality. The pushover became a pushy (if there is such a word).
I guess I'm a writer too. Someone ones told me "If the first thing you think about in the morning and if the last thing you think about before you go to sleep is writing, you're a writer."
Other than a writer, I'm also a lot of other things ...
Rita? How strange, that is my given name, as you know. Thanks for stopping by, I am always amazed at new insights I gain.
Oh, and as far as women losing themselves along the way, I think that is why they have makeover shows.
Have you noticed how it's usually the husbands who nominate the women and the women say they have no time to dress themselves and do their hair because of the busy mom syndrome? That could be another blog.
Too busy? Total baloney. Nobody is that busy that they can't put on something nice and run a comb through their hair.
BTW Alex, my previous comment was published twice. Feel free to delete one.
Excellent post. I agree with much of what you say here and I can identify with much of it. I like the description I use on my blog: A Juggler of words and phrases. I am so much more, but that line sets me apart in a way.
Lee
Journaling Woman at my memoir blog
starting Saturday 12/17/2011 with a special giveaway!
Wrote By Rote
"A juggler of words and phrases," I like that. I also like the logo you use on the corresponding blog.
Obsessed gardener is what I often say defines me, but writing has taken over that.Only time I say I'm a wife and mother is when the person asking looks as if he wants to "get to know me better". That's all they need to know! Hee-hee!
Another interesting and insightful topic.
In defense of mothers who have lost their identity after having kids...I think that they vocalize the obvious, "wife and mother" because they may be afraid to say anything else. Our society expects wives and moms to put their families first and to be proud about it.
I like to think of myself as a "senior seeker." I believe Aristotle was right when he said, "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." If more people made this a priority, our world would not be so screwed-up.
True, Diane. I have yet to see a man who describes himself as a husband and father first.
Conny is right. It takes no more time to put on a cute dress (I argue shorter) than it does to stuff oneself into a tracksuit.
On my blog, I use the number of my progeny as a qualifier for how I came to some of the advice I give. I have enough children to create survey results. Most who know me (even tangentially) know I am far more than just "Momma" and even though I am heading to the altar, I am more than my relationship to Bear.
Great discussion. Hope you tune in this week for the follow up to the survey (results posted today) which sparked this whole discussion.
Red.
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