What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
novelist
Example
The famous novelist, Jane Austen, is known for her romantic novels. [novelist: noun]
Example
She spent years perfecting her craft as a novelist before publishing her first book. [novelist: adjective]
writer
Example
As a freelance writer, she enjoys the flexibility of working from home. [writer: noun]
Example
He spent hours every day writing his memoirs. [writing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Writer is a more common term than novelist and can be used in a wide range of contexts, while novelist is less common and is typically used in literary circles or when referring specifically to someone who writes novels.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between novelist and writer?
While both novelist and writer can be used in formal and informal contexts, novelist carries a more formal and specific connotation than writer, which is a more general and versatile term.
