Not a hobby

Go ahead and call yourself a writer. It's not wrong. If you love it and constantly work hard at it, you are definitely a writer! It's not a hobby. The reason I say this is because there's this idea that unless you've been published you're not a writer. Don't buy into it. Writing like music, acting, or art, is all subjective. Just because this publisher or that agent didn't like it doesn't mean your work isn't any good. It just means those particular people didn't like it.

Now I'm not saying that you should avoid revision or learning proper technique, or that public opinion is always wrong. I'm simply saying that one man's opinion shouldn't define you or your work. So you're not a household name like John Grisham or J.K. Rowling, so what? You could be. Time is on your side. Be confident in your skills and abilities and just keep pounding the pavement. Wether you're planning to self-publish or attempt acceptance by literary agents, the important thing is not to define yourself by others descriptions.

Next, remember to treat your writing like a job. Even if you already have a 9 to 5 and you can't do it full time, work hard with the time you do have. Read other people's books or short stories, not to steal ideas but to see the different writing styles and techniques in action. Write, revise, edit and be open to criticism. Be mindful of the changes you make based on critiques. The end result will always have your name on it and you should be proud of the final product. Be careful not to compromise the story you want to tell, but never forget that sometimes changes can also improve things.

I'm getting a bit off topic here, so I'll restate my point and call it a day. Call yourself a writer. Dont be afraid of your accomplishment. Finishing a novel is something to be proud of. It's a long and difficult process. Write and write often. Work at writing the same way you work to earn your paycheck. It's not a hobby. For writers, writing is their life.