Why Do You Write?

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by gmw

It seems to me that there are two questions buried in the subject line.

The stated: Why do you write?

I'm a late starter (a late bloomer? - well, I can hope). I've always wanted to write, though I can't really explain the desire. I had tried to start a few times, but it was only a few years ago that I finally found out how to do it (for want of a better explanation). I do know that actually writing is a lot different to what I ever imagined it to be, it is a far more involving experience than I expected. I've tried to explain the difference as: writing is to reading as reading is to watching a movie. And now I've started I find I can't stop ... not sure about "can't", I've not actually tried, I don't want to try. So my answer to the first question is simply: Because I want to, it gives me pleasure. There are other things I could be doing (often there are other things that I should be doing), but writing is what I want to do.

The unstated: Why do you want others to read what you write?

This is one I'm still trying to work out. Yes I do want others to read my books, I would dearly love others to find that reading my books put them in the same place I find myself while writing them ... but I don't know if that's realistic. I know what joy I get from reading some books, it would be a buzz to think that my work could do the same for others ... but I don't know if that's realistic either. It's an odd dichotomy. I've never really wanted to be famous (though I think I'd like to give rich a try ), but I do like idea that people would might like what I've done. ... Maybe dadioflex is right, though it's not something I'd ever thought of myself before.

I'll put the unstated narcissistic question down to you GM

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Is it implicitly assumed that writers want others to read their writing? I'm not sure it is, sometimes; shouldn't it be enough that you've created something, without needing others to verify or substantiate your claim? Is your accomplishment lessened if no one else sees it? If you know no one will see your book, will you decide not to write it?

Or does the need for outside approval and a desire for fame go hand-in-hand with writing?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

Is it implicitly assumed that writers want others to read their writing? I'm not sure it is, sometimes; shouldn't it be enough that you've created something, without needing others to verify or substantiate your claim? Is your accomplishment lessened if no one else sees it? If you know no one will see your book, will you decide not to write it?

Or does the need for outside approval and a desire for fame go hand-in-hand with writing?

There are all kinds of writing. And a full spectrum from writing grocery lists to War and Peace. I think in a public context such as this discussing reading and writing the assumption is that YES the writing is for a reader to read. Even in that context there are many reasons to write that range from making a living, to being applauded for one's work to seeking eternal fame. Sometimes it is not for recognition, just for the money to put food in the dog bowl. Techwriting and commercial writing are mostly this way.

If you are not writing to get your work to readers then you are journaling or writing a diary --- hell even some of those have been published.

[dadioflex]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

Is it implicitly assumed that writers want others to read their writing? I'm not sure it is, sometimes; shouldn't it be enough that you've created something, without needing others to verify or substantiate your claim? Is your accomplishment lessened if no one else sees it? If you know no one will see your book, will you decide not to write it?

Or does the need for outside approval and a desire for fame go hand-in-hand with writing?

I expect my unread writing is considerably better than anyone else's unread writing. Leagues ahead. I expect.

[Steven Lake]

I write because I love to. I'd write for the rest of my life even if I never published another book or shared another story with anyone. It's what I am. It's also a fun experience, a release of ideas, and more all wrapped up in one.

[gmw]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

Is it implicitly assumed that writers want others to read their writing? I'm not sure it is, sometimes; shouldn't it be enough that you've created something, without needing others to verify or substantiate your claim? Is your accomplishment lessened if no one else sees it? If you know no one will see your book, will you decide not to write it?

Or does the need for outside approval and a desire for fame go hand-in-hand with writing?

If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? If a man washes a dish, and no one sees it, did it really happen?* If a writer writes a novel, and no else else reads it, is he really a writer - or just someone who writes? It seems to me that the title Writer carries with it more than the description writer. I used to write poetry and short stories in school, but I never considered myself a Writer, nor a Poet, it was something I did rather than sometime I was. That has changed now. Is the change because I now want others to read and and enjoy what I write, or because it's become an obsession? I'm still not certain.

(* A line from the movie Kate & Leopold.)

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by Steven Lake

I write because I love to. I'd write for the rest of my life even if I never published another book or shared another story with anyone. It's what I am. It's also a fun experience, a release of ideas, and more all wrapped up in one.

But isn't that one of the fundamentals of writing, to share your story with others? Apart from the long winded analogies, I agree with gmw. A story needs to be shared, it's in our genes and goes right back to the times when we sat around camp fires under the stars relating tales from our past.

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by dadioflex

I expect my unread writing is considerably better than anyone else's unread writing. Leagues ahead. I expect.

I've read some of your unread stuff Dadio and I've got to say that it is really very good! Especially your horror story “Tales of the Unread” that was one of my favourites.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by Steven Lake

I write because I love to. I'd write for the rest of my life even if I never published another book or shared another story with anyone. It's what I am. It's also a fun experience, a release of ideas, and more all wrapped up in one.

This.

I published my first book just to prove to myself I could conquer that challenge. I was shocked hat people bought it, liked it and then wanted more. Then I gave them book two and I was shocked that people bought it liked and and wanted more.. then book 3... now working on book 4. Enjoying myself, and hoping it does not end.

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

This.

I published my first book just to prove to myself I could conquer that challenge. I was shocked hat people bought it, liked it and then wanted more. Then I gave them book two and I was shocked that people bought it liked and and wanted more.. then book 3... now working on book 4. Enjoying myself, and hoping it does not end.

Do I smell the whiff of faux modesty here Vincent?

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

Do I smell the whiff of faux modesty here Vincent?

Could not tell you, my nose is stuffy this AM.

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Could not tell you, my nose is stuffy this AM.

[dadioflex]

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

I've read some of your unread stuff Dadio and I've got to say that it is really very good! Especially your horror story “Tales of the Unread” that was one of my favourites.

Horror story? That's was my autobiography.

[Suzanna]

This whole question about writing to share with others is a double-edged sword. Yes, I do want others to read what I've written. That's a given. At the same time, the idea of strangers "out there" reading my work is more than a little daunting. I recently signed a contract with Total-e-Bound books for a novella (my very first "published" work, to be released in September) and at the same time I'm both terrified of the idea that people will read it and afraid that no one will want to!

To be a writer is to be contrary.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Suzanna

This whole question about writing to share with others is a double-edged sword. Yes, I do want others to read what I've written. That's a given. At the same time, the idea of strangers "out there" reading my work is more than a little daunting. I recently signed a contract with Total-e-Bound books for a novella (my very first "published" work, to be released in September) and at the same time I'm both terrified of the idea that people will read it and afraid that no one will want to!

To be a writer is to be contrary.

Will be looking forward to it.