Personally, I don't. I might tell people I'm trying to get into writing, but I think until I've accomplished anything I'm just one of many wannabes.
Do you call yourself a writer?
No, I'm more a lover. 
You'll get nowhere with an attitude like that.
I tell people I'm "A failing writer." or sometimes a "flailing writer."
I'm an aspiring writer.
Which I think means I sweat a bit too much..
It's a bit of a thorny issue isn't it.
On the one hand, if you write, you are a writer.
But I personally would feel a bit of a tit describing myself as 'a writer' unless it was the main way I earned my living, or at least *some* of it!
I sometimes call myself a cab...
Sometimes I tell people I'm Mark Pearson. Just to see their faces. 
I try to avoid speaking any actual words to people. What I do is more in the line of grunting.
It says so on my passport.
But then it said that when I was an advertising writer.
I just left the incriminating bit off.
I have to say, I was relieved when I finally got my first paycheck as a writer -felt I could call myself one then.
Of course the next question is always 'Will I have seen anything of yours?'
Then I have to fall back on the commercials.
Curses.
Quote: Lazzard @ July 12 2010, 3:24 PM BSTIt says so on my passport.
But then it said that when I was an advertising writer.
I just left the incriminating bit off.
I have to say, I was relieved when I finally got my first paycheck as a writer -felt I could call myself one then.
Of course the next question is always 'Will I have seen anything of yours?'
Then I have to fall back on the commercials.
Curses.
I don't think my passport says anything about what I am - other than male.
Quote: Chappers @ July 12 2010, 4:27 PM BSTI don't think my passport says anything about what I am - other than male.
Old ones do.
It'll drop off when it changes
It's a tough one. On the one hand I like to say I'm a writer/performer (in a 'manifesting' kind of way) but in doing so one opens the door to the "how much does that pay?" question and next thing I know I'm frantically backpedalling to admit that, in actual fact, I'm an office administrator.
Someone has to straighten that admin!
i akways call my day job my lucrative hobby
i akways call my day job my lucrative hobby
I tend to say I'm trying to be a writer. Even though that sounds pathetic. Having done what I've done so far, I feel okay coming out with the 'trying to be a writer' thing first these days, before mentioning the day job.