Why Do You Write?

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by Anna Drake

My goal is, was, and always will be to write. I seriously doubt that's good for the world, but it has been great fun for me.

At the end of the day, it really is the only audience you need. Keep on writing.

[gmw]

Originally Posted by Anna Drake

[...]My goal is, was, and always will be to write. I seriously doubt that's good for the world, but it has been great fun for me.

At least this way you know someone was enjoyed themselves. You could have gone through a life of self-sacrifice and still not been certain it did any good ... or does that make it seem like I have a dismal outlook on life. Hmmm...

[Deidre Blue]

I write because I can't NOT write. I write because if I don't, the voices of my characters pile up in my head and begin arguing with one another and yell at me to write their stories until I'm ready to get up on a rooftop with a rifle and a scope if I don't. I write because it's what I would prefer to be doing, like, ALL THE TIME, not because I like it, but because I HAVE TO, even when there are dust bunnies the size of my head rolling around the room and the dog hasn't been fed in days.

Seriously where did people ever get the idea that writing is a glamorous lifestyle?

[kennyc]

I don't know, maybe I'm not a writer, I don't have voices in my head.

and who said anything about glamor anyway.

[Synamon]

Originally Posted by Deidre Blue

I write because I can't NOT write. I write because if I don't, the voices of my characters pile up in my head and begin arguing with one another and yell at me to write their stories until I'm ready to get up on a rooftop with a rifle and a scope if I don't. I write because it's what I would prefer to be doing, like, ALL THE TIME, not because I like it, but because I HAVE TO, even when there are dust bunnies the size of my head rolling around the room and the dog hasn't been fed in days.

As you can see by kennyc's avatar, he's resorted to the "rifle and scope".

Originally Posted by kennyc

I don't know, maybe I'm not a writer, I don't have voices in my head.

I guess you're not an introvert. Do you talk out loud to yourself instead? Or does writing it down do the trick?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Synamon

As you can see by kennyc's avatar, he's resorted to the "rifle and scope".



I guess you're not an introvert. Do you talk out loud to yourself instead? Or does writing it down do the trick?

Yes. Constantly and absolutely I'm an introverted... INTJ OR INTF

[QuantumIguana]

One of the strange things in our culture is that we look up to people who accomplish things, but if anyone thinks they just might be able to accomplish something and gives it a try, they get called a narcissist. It's like we put up a big "keep out" sign. I don't see anything narcissistic about writing, or about thinking that your writing just might be good enough for someone to read. If someone paints, we don't call them a narcissist. If someone tries to play sports, we don't call them a narcissist. They might produce paintings that no one wants. They might not make the team. But we don't call them narcissists. Now, if someone insists that they are one of the greatest writers ever, despite few people wanting to read their books, that just might be a sign of narcissism.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Yes. Constantly and absolutely I'm an introverted... INTJ OR INTF

Hey! That's me too.

[dadioflex]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

One of the strange things in our culture is that we look up to people who accomplish things, but if anyone thinks they just might be able to accomplish something and gives it a try, they get called a narcissist. It's like we put up a big "keep out" sign. I don't see anything narcissistic about writing, or about thinking that your writing just might be good enough for someone to read. If someone paints, we don't call them a narcissist. If someone tries to play sports, we don't call them a narcissist. They might produce paintings that no one wants. They might not make the team. But we don't call them narcissists. Now, if someone insists that they are one of the greatest writers ever, despite few people wanting to read their books, that just might be a sign of narcissism.

You're taking this too personally.

Classic narcissism.

Painters, also classic narcissists.

Sports people? Narcissists.

Narcissists!!! EVERYWHERE!!!!

Ahem.

But yeah. You're getting confused by a word which you've only heard used as a pejorative, but which has a definition which ranges from benign all the way to personality disorder.

Embrace your narcissism. Remember, YOUR narcissism is superior to everyone else's narcissism.

Substitute any word you like for "narcissism".

[dadioflex]

Originally Posted by orlok

Hey! That's me too.

Also, about 90% of the posters on this board.

I feel sorry for an introvert without voices in their head. We'd find that lonely.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by dadioflex

Also, about 90% of the posters on this board.

I feel sorry for an introvert without voices in their head. We'd find that lonely.

I had my suspicions...

And the reason why I/we read so prolifically is to quell those very voices, in all probability.

[kennyc]

See I find it hard to believe there are literal voices in peoples heads that
"must be heard" -- I think it is really just one's own mind asking questions, observing -- 'Thinking' in other words.

If it is literally voices that must get out, there's a problem.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by orlok

I had my suspicions...

And the reason why I/we read so prolifically is to quell those very voices, in all probability.

Hmmm wonder where I fall on that... probably whichever means really smart, good looking, and well liked.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by kennyc

See I find it hard to believe there are literal voices in peoples heads that
"must be heard" -- I think it is really just one's own mind asking questions, observing -- 'Thinking' in other words.

If it is literally voices that must get out, there's a problem.

Agreed, it is just thinking. If you are really hearing voices telling you to do something, then watch out when it goes from saying "write that story!" to "kill your neighbour, his dog just peed on your lawn!"

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by orlok

Agreed, it is just thinking. If you are really hearing voices telling you to do something, then watch out when it goes from saying "write that story!" to "kill your neighbour, his dog just peed on your lawn!"

Exactly!