So you've decided you want to write. Congratulations! You've taken the first step into a wonderfully diverse world where the only real rule is that there aren't many rules. But now comes the fun part: figuring out what kind of writer you are.
This isn't about putting yourself in a box or limiting your options. Think of it more like trying on different hats to see which one fits best, knowing you can always switch hats later or even wear several at once. Writing is wonderfully flexible that way.
The truth is, most writers don't start with a clear sense of their "type." They stumble into it through experimentation, follow their curiosity, and often surprise themselves with what they discover. Some find their calling in the first story they write, while others spend years exploring different forms before finding their groove.
Here's the secret: There's no wrong type of writer to be. The world needs storytellers and journalists, poets and bloggers, essayists and screenwriters. Your job is to find what excites you most and makes you want to keep writing.
The Fiction Writer: Building Worlds One Story at a Time
You might be a fiction writer if...
You find yourself making up stories about the people you see on the bus. You have vivid dreams and think, "That would make a great story." You love getting lost in imaginary worlds and have a constant running dialogue in your head with characters who feel real to you.
Fiction writers are the dreamers and world-builders. They create characters from thin air, put them in impossible situations, and then figure out how they'd react. Fiction can be anything from literary novels that explore the human condition to fast-paced thrillers that keep readers up all night.
The beautiful thing about fiction is its endless variety. You might be drawn to short stories that capture a single moment perfectly, or epic novels that span generations. Maybe you love writing dialogue that crackles with tension, or perhaps you're fascinated by the internal thoughts of complex characters.
Try this: Write about a character who finds something unexpected in their attic. Don't worry about plot or structure. Just follow your curiosity and see what happens. Pay attention to whether you enjoy creating this little world.
The Non-Fiction Writer: Truth-Teller and Life Explorer
You might be a non-fiction writer if...
You're endlessly curious about how things work and why people do what they do. You love research rabbit holes and find real life more fascinating than any story someone could make up. You have strong opinions and want to share what you've learned with others.
Non-fiction writers deal in truth, but that doesn't make their work any less creative. They take real events, real people, and real ideas and shape them into narratives that inform, persuade, or inspire. This could be memoir, biography, history, science writing, self-help, or essays about everything from cooking to politics.
The best non-fiction writers are storytellers too. They know how to take complicated subjects and make them accessible, how to find the human story within facts and figures, and how to make readers care about topics they might never have considered before.
Try this: Write about something you're passionate about or knowledgeable about. It could be a hobby, a life experience, or something you've always found fascinating. Notice if you enjoy the process of explaining and sharing knowledge.
The Poet: Master of Language and Emotion
You might be a poet if...
You're obsessed with the sound of words and how they feel in your mouth. You see metaphors everywhere and get excited about the perfect word choice. You think a lot about emotions and how to capture feelings that seem impossible to express.
Poetry is the most condensed form of writing, where every word counts and silence speaks as loudly as sound. Poets are like language sculptors, chiseling away everything unnecessary until only the essential remains. Don't worry if you think poetry has to rhyme or follow strict forms, modern poetry is as diverse as the people who write it.
Some poets write about grand themes like love and death and the meaning of existence. Others find profound beauty in everyday moments like washing dishes or watching rain on a window. The magic of poetry is its ability to make readers see familiar things in completely new ways.
Try this: Describe a strong emotion without naming it. Use images, sensations, and unexpected comparisons. Don't worry about making it "good poetry." Just play with language and see if you enjoy the process of distilling feelings into words.
The Blogger: Voice of the Digital Age
You might be a blogger if...
You love sharing your thoughts and experiences with others. You enjoy building a community around your ideas and having conversations with readers. You're comfortable with a more casual, conversational tone and like the immediacy of digital publishing.
Blogging is writing for the internet age. It's immediate, conversational, and often interactive. Bloggers build relationships with their readers and create ongoing narratives about their lives, interests, or expertise. You might blog about parenting, travel, food, technology, personal growth, or literally anything that interests you.
What makes blogging unique is its community aspect. You're not just writing into the void; you're starting conversations. Readers comment, share, and respond. Your writing becomes part of a larger dialogue, which can be incredibly energizing for writers who thrive on connection.
Try this: Write a post about something that happened to you recently, but write it as if you're telling a friend over coffee. Use your natural voice and don't worry about being too formal. See if you enjoy this conversational style of writing.
The Journalist: Storyteller of the Real World
You might be a journalist if...
You're naturally curious about current events and love asking questions. You enjoy research and interviewing people. You want to uncover truth and share important stories that matter to your community or the world.
Journalists are the chroniclers of our time. They investigate, report, and help people understand what's happening in the world around them. This could be breaking news, in-depth features, sports reporting, arts criticism, or investigative pieces that take months to research.
Modern journalism takes many forms. You might write for traditional newspapers or magazines, but you could also create podcasts, video reports, or digital multimedia stories. The core skill is the ability to find interesting stories, research them thoroughly, and present them clearly to your audience.
Try this: Pick a local event or issue that interests you. Practice asking the basic journalism questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Write a short piece explaining the situation to someone who knows nothing about it.
The Multi-Genre Writer: Why Choose Just One?
Here's something the writing world doesn't always tell you: you don't have to pick just one type of writing and stick with it forever. Many successful writers work across multiple genres and forms. They might write novels and also contribute to magazines. They might be poets who also write memoirs. They might blog about their fiction-writing process.
In fact, experimenting with different types of writing can make you better at all of them. Writing poetry can improve your fiction dialogue. Journalism can teach you how to research for non-fiction. Blogging can help you find your authentic voice for any type of writing.
Questions to Help You Explore
What do you read for pleasure? Often, what we love to read hints at what we might enjoy writing.
When you tell stories to friends, what kinds of stories do you gravitate toward? Real events from your life? Funny observations? Dramatic retellings?
What feels most natural to your voice? Formal and informative? Casual and conversational? Lyrical and emotional?
Finding Your Writing Voice Through Experimentation
The only way to discover what kind of writer you are is to try different types of writing and pay attention to what excites you. Maybe you'll start with fiction and discover you love the research aspect more than the storytelling. Maybe you'll try journalism and realize you prefer the creative freedom of personal essays.
Here's what to pay attention to as you experiment:
Energy and Excitement
Which type of writing makes you lose track of time? What makes you excited to sit down and write? Your enthusiasm is a reliable compass for finding your direction.
Natural Strengths
Do you have a gift for dialogue? Are you great at explaining complex topics? Do you notice details others miss? Your natural talents often point toward writing forms that will feel most satisfying.
What You Want to Contribute
Do you want to entertain people? Inform them? Help them feel less alone? Make them think differently about something? Your underlying motivation can guide you toward the type of writing that will feel most meaningful.
Remember: There's no rush to figure this out. Many writers spend their entire careers exploring different forms and finding new ways to express themselves. The journey of discovery is part of the joy of being a writer.
Starting Where You Are
Wherever you are in your writing journey, you can start exploring different types of writing right now. You don't need special tools or training. You just need curiosity and willingness to experiment.
Try writing one piece in each style we've discussed. Don't worry about quality or whether it's "good." Just explore and see what feels right. Notice which type of writing you want to return to, which one sparks ideas for more pieces, which one feels like a conversation you want to continue.
Your writing identity will evolve as you grow and change as a person. The type of writer you are today might be different from the type you'll be in five years, and that's perfectly okay. The important thing is to start where you are and follow your curiosity.
Your Next Step
Choose one type of writing that intrigued you while reading this post. Commit to trying it for just 15 minutes. Don't worry about creating something perfect. Just explore and see how it feels. That's your real writing education beginning.
The beautiful thing about writing is that it's big enough to contain all kinds of voices, all kinds of stories, all kinds of approaches. Whether you're drawn to fiction or facts, poetry or prose, personal stories or universal truths, there's a place for you in the writing world.
So take a deep breath, pick up your pen (or open your laptop), and start exploring. The kind of writer you are is waiting to be discovered, one word at a time.
The question isn't really "What kind of writer are you?" It's "What kind of writer do you want to become?" And the only way to find out is to start writing and see where your curiosity leads you.