If you’re not published can you still call yourself a writer? Or better yet, an author?
Here are a few examples that may set your mind at ease. If you are writing daily, then yes. And I’m not talking about journaling. Many people journal, but they don’t go around claiming to be “writers.” I have time set aside every morning to write. And a couple more in the evening. When company is hanging on the bell I can literally say “I need to go to work.” Because that’s what it is.
Join writer’s groups and critique groups. You think you’re good. I know you do. You might even be very talented. But believe me, nothing is more humbling than joining a group and hearing directly from published authors what works and what doesn’t. These are people who are talented as well. But you have to know how the writing world works to get through the iron curtain.
Enter contests. If you can’t get published then start entering contests. At least if you place you can finally call yourself an “Award Winning Author.” It will boost your confidence. And if you are swimming in rejections then that’s a boost you need. And you never know what publishers or agents are judging your manuscripts.
Make connections. Start a Facebook page, blog or twitter. Better yet, do all three. You don’t have to be on every day, though it helps, but at least you are out there and active.
If you’ve done these things then you can proudly proclaim yourself as a working writer. Just remember to bounce back when you get knocked down. Believe me, all those published authors have been there. But they kept pushing through!
Keep writing friends!
Shelley Martin Fiction 
I agree that one cannot call themselves a real writer unless they write nearly every day and dedicate themselves to perfecting the craft and finding success. As for the term “author” I didn’t start calling myself such until I landed an agent and won a few awards.
Thanks for the encouragement. I don’t write daily, but I do have a regular writing schedule. I do most of my writing on weekends, but I think about my writing, mentally developing plots and characters every day.