writerly

[ rahy-ter-lee ]

adverb

1. characteristic or typical of an author, especially a professional one.
2. markedly literary.

writerly

/ ˈraɪtəlɪ /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a writer; literary

Word History and Origins

Origin of writerly¹

First recorded in 1955–60; writer ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

It’s as if their presence alone is meant to satisfy some sort of writerly noblesse oblige.

From Time

The writerly urge to kiss and tell may have wrecked the occasional romance, but readers reaped the rewards.

From The Daily Beast

He is, in his way, a cynical, macho, writerly version of Joan of Arc.

From The Daily Beast

Both books are archetypical of a certain type of writerly fantasy.

From The Daily Beast

Different cultural and historical circumstances bring out certain writerly virtues and make others seem less important.

From The Daily Beast

When that happens, writerly income will come from incidental sources such as paid speaking engagements and commissioned articles.

From Project Gutenberg