The pen is mightier than the sword. This poses the question -- is the writer a warrior or a diplomat? When trying to define "writer," several contrary images also come to mind. For example, is the writer a slave to grammar and syntax or a master of words and ideas? Is he a creator of an original work or simply the messenger for a higher purpose? Is she a free-spirited artist or a diligent, educated, well-organized intellectual?

To try to answer these questions, one might look at exactly what a writer does. First there is the case for the diplomat, slave, messenger and intellectual. A writer must oversee the work's progress and purpose, as does a diplomat, and, as an intellectual, he must foresee a finished product, which conveys the intended message while closely following the four C's. The writer's work should be:

Correct -- Here is where the writer becomes a "slave" to all those grammatical rules.

Clear -- Clarity is closely related to correctness. Certain grammatical slips are permitted, such as in dialogue or for emphasis, if the element of clarity is preserved.

Concise -- Why say more than is needed? Being concise also aids clarity and holds an audience's attention. In addition, it is usually related to correctness since it avoids redundancy.

Creative -- Creativity also helps to keep an audience's attention, thus increasing the chances of the message being conveyed.

Next is the case for the writer as warrior, master, creator, and artist. The writer is the master of words, which he chooses, and he conjures up images of people, places, and things, which are not present to the reader. If she is a fiction writer, she will create original places, characters and plots. If she is a non-fiction writer, she will create a well-developed piece, about existing places, people, and situations, which is based on a unique perspective -- the writer's perspective. The writer is an artist when he produces something that is beautiful and truthful and from the heart. The best way to be assured that a piece will be well-received is to write from the depth of one's heart -- to explore the spectrum of the universal human feelings of love and hate, pain and joy. If the writer’s heart can hold these emotions, chances are that reader's heart can also. Lastly, as a warrior, the writer fights for the ideals and principles for which he stands -- the ideals and messages put forth in his writing. His greatest tools are eloquence and raw honesty.

So, has the question been answered? What is a writer? A writer is a warrior who diplomatically fights for his ideals. A writer is a slaving master, a messenger fueled by creativity. A writer is an intellectual artist trying to paint the Mona Lisa -- with words.