Apparently someone took offense at my question: "What is a writer?" because they felt it was making writers into things and not human beings. I would be surprised to think someone thought I was trying to dehumanize them by asking the question. I could have asked: "Who is a writer?" but that would be any of us who write. or "Why is a writer?" but that is because we don't have the choice to do anything else. or "How does a writer writes?" but that is a question we asked before, and has been eloquently answered in another thread. or "When is one a writer?" but that is as we make ourselves time to do it. or "Where is one a writer?" but that is everywhere and anywhere. I only asked the question that I was applying to myself. This individual implied I was depersonalizing him/her as an individual by my question. I don't know him/her, and that was not my intent by asking the question. "What" didn't refer to a person, but to a profession or a calling, as most people seemed to understand. Because I am questioning my own place in the world, and if I have any place in it as a writer. And I think it is interesting that such a question would result in such a reponse. This has been an interesting exercise. My greatest thanks to you who understood the question was not an insult, but a simple inquiry. No more than that. Thank you for your thoughtful responses. I appreciate them greatly.