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Why do we write?
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message 101:
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[deleted user]
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Jul 19, 2013 01:09PM
Writing is like exercise for me. It's so easy to procrastinate and find reasons for not doing it. But once you have you feel great. It's like a nagging voice in your head telling you not to be lazy! Writing is hard for sure, but it can be rewarding in so many ways.
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Hello all, I never knew I could write until two years ago but all I can say after my first book, is I truly love it and I agree with the latter of what you say Heath, rewarding, it is indeed and I love it whether I'm writing on paper or typing as it comes in to my head. I prefer to be at a pc, before I go on too much I'll sign off! I'm Chris or Christine by the way...
I've been writing since I first learned how to form letters. It's who I am. I can't not write. Life would be very dull indeed if I couldn't write. (That and dreaming. For me the two go together.)I enjoy coming up with tales of adventure in far away places and times to share with other people.
I guess, it's all about 'connecting', with others but most importantly, with oneself.
I wrote my first book because 1) I was sick of fictional lovers always being young and the story ends with the declarations of love and 2) I needed something to do on a 70 mile (each way) commute.
When I was a child I loved creative writing at school but I then had a very technical career. Back in 2005/6 I had an idea for a book but it was only recently following a break from work I went at it and rediscovered a love and a need to be fulfilled. I now have two books out and a third in proof reading. Four have starts. Good or bad I like it and love losing myself in my stories. My second book was prompted by frustrations with the genre, my first from a political interest and a love of spy thrillers. my next will be another change sparked by the behaviour of big banks and business.I just need income to cover my time so that I can write full time!
There is a great meme floating on Facebook:"Why I Write: Because kidnapping people and forcing them to act out your interesting make-believe worlds is technically illegal."
Susan wrote: "There is a great meme floating on Facebook:"Why I Write: Because kidnapping people and forcing them to act out your interesting make-believe worlds is technically illegal.""
I like it - But in my stories I can do whatever I want, be whoever I want. In one of my forthcoming books (early stages) I get to blow up things, in my second book I wiped out much of the Earth's population. In my third book (proof reading stage) I can be very wealthy, in another idea just a few chapters I can be an alien. I'm also writing some short stories very loosely based on my life so I can play what if with my own history. This discussion has given me another idea or at least a try to use idea but that's for another day....
Maybe one could even try to Glorify God.
Robert wrote: "Maybe one could even try to Glorify God."Go right ahead. No one's stopping you.
There is something to be said for surrendering to both the demands of the craft and the truth of a story. How many of you out there are the captains of your own ship? I'm just a deckhand over here.
I find that once the writing gets rolling (and have enough coffee), the characters start behaving in their own ways and writing their own dialogue.
Susan wrote: "Robert wrote: "Maybe one could even try to Glorify God."Go right ahead. No one's stopping you."
Susan - I was just musing that perhaps some of us wrote for a higher purpose than the self-centered reasons given on most of these posts. You're right, though, no one is stopping me, the book is finished and in layout at the publisher's.
Robert wrote: "Susan wrote: "Robert wrote: "Maybe one could even try to Glorify God."Go right ahead. No one's stopping you."
Susan - I was just musing that perhaps some of us wrote for a higher purpose than the..."
Good luck.
I do childrens books so i draw more than write. But for me, there are cute stories trapped inside which want to get out. Thats all the reason I need at the moment.
I believe a writer uses imagination to make up for something that is missing from their life, or to put right something that has gone wrong. As with many emigrants, my last novel was about the country (Sri Lanka) I left when very young, and which is still at the heart of who I am, even though I have spent virtually all my life abroad.
My experience of my two stories was different. My first tale I had mapped out in my head and in outline years before I actually finished it at Christmas last year and published in January. My second just flowed, I didn't know where it was going to finish. That came out in June. The first method was exiting in the process of finally writing the story I'd wanted to write. The second was completely enthralling consuming my entire life - nearly, certainly most of my waking thoughts. I still find myself wanting to adjust and write more even though I have a third book in proof reading and a few others in preparation.Yes it is a selfish reason and my expectations were low as to who would want to read my scribblings. Now I want readers to enjoy my stories and share their thoughts on my characters. If they buy the book as well that's even better!
We do I write? Writing is cathartic, it is personal and private, and it is a creative outlet that combines several of my interests. Why I do not write - money, I haven't turned a profit...yet.
Susan wrote: "I wrote my first book because 1) I was sick of fictional lovers always being young and the story ends with the declarations of love and 2) I needed something to do on a 70 mile (each way) commute."I love your reasoning, Susan.
Robert wrote: "There is something to be said for surrendering to both the demands of the craft and the truth of a story. How many of you out there are the captains of your own ship? I'm just a deckhand over here."Robert, I agree totally. Seems like my whole function is to type the story, which has a mind of its own.
I think there are very few people in this world who don't harbour the thought "I'm going to write a book some day".Same here. Some years ago I had a memorable birthday party. Everyone was stunned when I dumped a full bottle of booze down the sink at midnight, and it wasn't because I had become tired of being the middle-man in the recycling process.
I declared to all and sundry that I wasn't going to touch a drop again before I have written a book.
At the time I was still spending my days in the dark, phlegmy world of root canals and rampant caries, so I was compelled to get up and work on my book from 4 AM to 6.30 every morning.
Being a fairly thirsty man, I finished the book in 6 months.
The downside is that getting up at 4 AM has become a habit I can't seem to get rid of.....
These Foolish Things a Novel by Susan ThatcherI found that the characters would start to take over the conversation and action, especially when it was sassing each other. Like DM said, I was just typing (not my favorite thing). However, I got it done.
And Leon: these people wake me up in the middle of the night to take dictation from them.
Welcome to the club, Susan! More perspiration than inspiration, though.
I write because my photographs usually need captions. Writers are not the only authors. I make books because I enjoy the process. I use my art to explore the world. With this new revolution in ebooks, I hope that the book itself will become an art form--it did in print publishing, but costs made it prohibitive.
Because sometimes it's easier to write our emotions than actually feel them. Writing helps us feel....
Best advice my agent ever gave me - "You don't HAVE to write you know." - Quite the relief when I realised she was right, taken the pressure off myself a bit, because frankly it is bloody hard work.
We write because we have to. I wrote about some of consequences of writing in this blog post if you feel like checking it out http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
Charles wrote: "Money seems to rule the roost. Most writers seem to not care about content but cash a count. I think money is the cure. Why we write is because it is easier than working a 9 to 5 job."I write becuase I have a story that I need to get out and Characters that insist on being heard. They don't do this at specific times of day.
So, I tend to take exception to the statement that writing is easier than working a 9-5. Just as people think that actors or musicians never "work". Having done all of those as a living I can honestly say that I have put more into making a living as an author, musician and actress than I ever have at my 9-5, which yes I still work at as I write.
Though I think most authors will agree that the actual writing of the story is the easy part, dealing with editors, publishers and promotional requirements take much more time than just sitting and writing.
Do I believe that there are those out there that do it strictly for the money? Sure. But I believe that most people out there want to have their stories read more than anything and the only reason they charge anything for it is because the like to eat also.
K.
We write because we can live a life in our books that we can't otherwise.
I write everyday, i escape into a wonderful world of magic each time i lift my pen. come with me..... x
Susan wrote: "I find that once the writing gets rolling (and have enough coffee), the characters start behaving in their own ways and writing their own dialogue."Yes - quite true. I find it happens even without the coffee - great experience.
J. wrote: "I write everyday, i escape into a wonderful world of magic each time i lift my pen. come with me..... x" I love the words you have written.
Mehreen wrote: "We write because we can live a life in our books that we can't otherwise." You have summed it up perfectly.
My name is Jenny Byrne. My pen name is Lilliana Cross. I have been writing all of my life. It is the best, safest and in the imortal words of "Bill" and "Ted", writing is just plain awesome! It is a way for a person whom is having a hard time, to release some "much needed" Stress out. (Again) in a safe way. I am in awe of being published. Famous or not. A writer is whom I am. And forever I shall remain. I love you all. Thank you for leting me into your "club-house" hehe. Keep on reading.luv Lilliana Cross
I would like to add, I have for gotten how much fun it is to read; "Interview with the Vampire" or "The Shining" before bed. And wake up screaming.... One night I could not sleep. So I put in (it was the 90's) Misery on cassete tape. Last tape side B. Well about 45 min later my step-dad ran in as I was SCREAMING. He grabed my walk-man, and laughed. ya I know. Love all of you. Oh if you like romance. Try Emma Holly's "The "Night Owl" in "Hot Blooded", Girls you'll be beggin' for more. Luv ya Lilliana Cross
Susan wrote: "These Foolish Things a Novel by Susan ThatcherI found that the characters would start to take over the conversation and action, especially when it was sassing each other. Like DM said, I was just..."
Susan, you are a character waiting to written. Love the way your brain works. Thanks for the laughs, and if you figure out how to get them to let you sleep, clue me in. I never sleep while I'm in the throes of writing.
I write because I suspect I am a control freak... :)S.C. Wynne
Rebecca wrote: "Susan wrote: "These Foolish Things a Novel by Susan ThatcherI found that the characters would start to take over the conversation and action, especially when it was sassing each other. Like DM sa..."
I know what you mean about writing affecting sleep. I find that I keep moving into new parts of the story I am writing at the time and have to get up and write my ideas down.
Dianne wrote: "Keep a pad and a pen next to the bed because those great thoughts in the middle of the night go into the nethers if I don't write them down!"I do exactly that. As you say, in the morning you won't remember what you were thinking about the night before and all those great ideas will have vanished in the ether!
Dianne wrote: "And don't they seem ever so much better at 3 o'clock in the morning." Absolutely. One morning, when I picked up my exercise book to see what I'd written I was amazed. I thought I'd written a few lines but discovered that I'd actually written about seven sides - I didn't remember writing any of it and none of it looked remotely familiar but it was my writing so obviously I had written it. I suppose most of our best writing comes from when we're in a trance-like state.
Absolutely. I use pretty much everything I write.
Toni wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Susan wrote: "These Foolish Things a Novel by Susan ThatcherI found that the characters would start to take over the conversation and action, especially when it was sassing each o..."
I have at least five spiral-bound notebooks, each with a pen clipped to the cover, scattered around the house.
I've also been known to shut the vacuum cleaner off right in the middle of the floor (my vacuum time is my 'zen' time, and my wife most certainly does not argue with me about it hehe) and open the lid of my laptop and write an email to myself with new story ideas, or enhancements to a WiP.
I get ideas at the strangest moments (infomercials seem to be a trigger, especially when it comes to science fiction ideas).
As for why? Because if I don't, the demon-words will eventually cook my brain inside my skull.
(I honestly don't know why I do it. I just do it. I guess it is supposed to mean I'm good at it, but I keep a bottle of bleach next to my desk to throw in my own eyes in an emergency if I ever accidentally read anything I've written)
As many of us writers know, we write because the stories don't stop talking in our heads. The characters tell us about their lives, feelings, plots and plans. Driving down the highway, standing in line at the supermarket, and the words! Oie! the words. Reading a word and just knowing you have to create a sentence around it. Feeling, tasting, and desiring that word. Then looking for it, under the night sky, sitting in a traffic jam....the words, the voices in the head, thus a novel is created. All is well in my world and if not, there's the bleach to wipe it out and start all over. Blessed be.
Travis wrote: "Toni wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Susan wrote: "These Foolish Things a Novel by Susan ThatcherI found that the characters would start to take over the conversation and action, especially when it was s..."I totally understand what you're saying as I do exactly the same. I even take an exercise book to the cinema with me and jot down ideas in the dark, as they come to me, during the film.
June wrote: "As many of us writers know, we write because the stories don't stop talking in our heads. The characters tell us about their lives, feelings, plots and plans. Driving down the highway, standing in ..."I love your description June. Especially: Reading a word and just knowing you have to create a sentence around it. Feeling, tasting, and desiring that word. Then looking for it, under the night sky, sitting in a traffic jam....the words, the voices in the head, thus a novel is created. Blessed be.
Schuyler wrote: " I don't care if I reach three people or three million with my books. Money isn't the driving point i..."Createspace will POD books up to 700pp. for no cost. Or, you could singlehandedly bring back the triple-decker…
