A Writer?

I love writing ever since I was a little girl. It's my second favorite hobby. The first one is drawing, since I liked this longer. I've been a baby writer since I can remember and the reason why I don't have the courage to call myself a real writer is because of the lack of experience.

Many people call themselves writers because they write stories, poems, essays, etc. But there are some, like me, who only wants to write one thing--a novel. Now I have lots ideas for a novel and the first chapters of those ideas are collecting dust in some envelope in my room. The reason why I can't claim myself as a writer is because I haven't really finished any story, ever.

I have written dozens of stories with beginnings but no ends and I'm a bit worried that after a few years I might still be like this. Writing a novel is difficult for many, and I'm one of those many people who struggles to find the right words to communicate exactly what I want my readers to picture. I believe every writer makes their own rules on what style they'll use for every novel, but what hinders me is the general rule that most people use to categorize a work as a good story.

So here I am wondering if it's all right to call myself a writer when I have nothing to show to claim such title. What does it take to be a writer anyway? As long as you write, you're a writer? But isn't that the same as saying as long as you can take pictures, you're a photographer? I know a lot of people don't agree with that.

So how can you really say that you're a writer?