Wattpad boasts thousands if not millions of writers on their platform, a veritable plethora of words pouring out of imaginations all over the world. Some hesitantly dipping their toes, uncertain of the reception, others flat out diving in and splashing.

There are well defined levels of interest among the members of various ages and a few that dominate with specific genres. Being in a much older demographic I have certain genres reserved for 'serious' reading, reading authors who I consider to have made their bones so to speak and can be relied upon for continued satisfaction.

Happily I have discovered a number on Wattpad who fall into that category for me, providing everything a well presented story should. These writers I would classify as authors in the definitive sense. There are many more whose work I find extremely entertaining and satisfying and it is with group I feel I belong - story tellers.

The distinction I make between the two is authors write using all or most of the 'rules' as described in every How to Write Manual printed. Proper structure, development of characters and plot line, carrying the reader along as if floating in a canoe on a calm river. And in the end leaving them with a fullness of satisfaction.

Story tellers, in my personal definition, don't follow all the rules. They tell their tale as one might kicking back on a dock with a case of beer and good friends. The point being to, yes, grab attention, entertain and squeeze out the shivers or laughter depending on the story.

I write pretty much as I would speak my story with all the jumps and breaks, compensated for by hand gestures and other body language. That the reader can't see that is beside the point to me, I just barrel on seeing the whole thing unfold in my mind.

I have found it very interesting that the writers I consider authors when reading anything of mine, often point out where I have slipped the traces and kicked rules to the curb and I appreciate those comments very much and have made adjustments when they are obvious errors. It tells me they are reading and not skimming.

The others that read and end up thanking me for an entertaining story tells me that those sacred rules didn't get in their way; they accepted the story as told. I guess my point in scribbling this is writing as an 'entertainment' for others can be achieved without being edited to death or confined by a template.

Finally, I would never identify myself as an author. I am a hobbyist, story teller with no ambition beyond entertaining.