About
What about? Oh… about me? Oh, okay… go…
Andrew Mackay is a writer. Why a writer? Well, an aspiring author tends to be someone who likes the idea of writing. An author tends to be someone who has authed. I mean, published. Sorry. I’m easily distracted. Anyway, Andrew Mackay hasn’t published a novel yet. But he’s on his way to having written one. He’s planning on writing more, too.
Born in Canada, residing in the great state of West Virginia, Andrew turns frequently to music, books, and exploring the world with his wife and son to divert his attention from both writing and his day job in the financial industry.
Writ-er?
I usually attempt to sit at my laptop computer writing for five or so hours each morning, starting at five o’clock. I began this practice a a few years ago while writing trail guides for our local El Yunque rainforest.
Recently, I began to wonder what precise title would best describe what I do. When asked, I frequently mumble something about a project I am working on; I am uncomfortable with most of the terms that are used to describe what I do: I compile magazine articles and natural history booklets about rainforest ecology; I frequently concoct what is euphemistically referred to as “web-content” by computer “geeks” who don’t write, but who can make websites function properly. In this context, I am known by the unglamorous title of “content provider.” I have written opinion pieces for local and continental newspapers, stories for magazines (a few have actually been printed) and I am presently putting together a sort of cookbook that interleaves my favorite recipes with stories I have jotted down about where I was and what I was doing when I first encountered them.
But I am still somewhat unsure of how to reply when I am asked “what is it that you do for a living.”
At age 75, I am no longer required, nor is it my intention to “make a living.” However, as a late bloomer in the business of word production, I find myself constantly driven to write; in part because I sense that I don’t have that many more years left in which to do so. Thus, I feel somewhat justified (if less humble) as I’m hurrying to get my thoughts down on paper or saved on my computer hard-disk.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language define some of the inhabitants of my chosen field as follows:
Writ-er: n., one who writes books, stories or articles) professionally.
Au-thor: n., a writer, usually;
1. The writer of a book article or other text.
2. One who practices writing as a profession.
(from latin; Auctor-Creator.)
Con-trib-u-tor: n., A writer whose work is published in a newspaper, or as part of a book.
Jour-nal-ist: n., A writer for newspapers or magazines.
Pam-phlet-eer: n., A writer of pamphlets.
Word-smith: n., A fluent and prolific writer.
Rac-on-teur: n., One who writes or tells stories or anecdotes with wit and skill.
Re-port-er: n., A writer, investigator or presenter of news stories.
Applying those definitions loosely, I suppose I could qualify as either a “writer” or an “author,” although the term “author” has always seemed to apply an unwarranted pomposity to what I do. Both contributor and journalist seem a better fit, but then, on some occasions so does pamphleteer.
I like the rustic sound of “word-smith,” but I would never describe myself as a “fluent and prolific writer.” My father was a world-class “raconteur,” and I have strived with limited success to emulate his skills since childhood, so I’m comfortable with that description, although it is seldom used these days.
I am most certainly not a “reporter,” either by training or desire.
So I suppose I will say I’m a “writer” next time I’m asked what I do, that is until I come across a more apt (and less presumptuous) term.
Many years ago, as my father was attending the Hollywood premiere of one of his many movies, a reporter asked him what his children wanted to be when they grew-up. He replied “My daughter wants to be an actress and singer. “What are you doing about that?” he was asked. “I’m paying for her to take acting and singing lessons,” he replied. “What about your son?” “He says he wants to be a writer,” dad answered. “And how have you helped him?” asked the reporter. “I gave him a pencil”…….
Lately, although that pencil is long gone, I have been trying my darnedest to justify my fathers long ago investment in my future.
Alan Mowbray
Luquillo
2009
Alan Mowbray (AKA "The Captain"
26 Dec 09 at 9:52 am