Why Do You Write?

[Nancy Fulda]

Originally Posted by Suzanna

I recently gave myself the old "you need to try to publish your writing or give it up" talk, and the idea of no longer writing almost gave me a panic attack!

I'm going to submit that there is no obligation to publish one's writing, and that writing is often its own reward.

Don't get me wrong -- I think publication is wonderful if the prospect appeals to you. But if it doesn't, there's no need to succumb to external pressure from friends or relatives. Some stories aren't meant to be shared, and some authors don't need the validation of print. You can keep all your manuscripts in a lockbox under your bed and still be a writer.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Nancy Fulda

.... Some stories aren't meant to be shared, .....

Boy is that ever true, good thing no one will ever see the really bad poems I've squirreled away.

[gmw]

Originally Posted by Nancy Fulda

I'm going to submit that there is no obligation to publish one's writing, and that writing is often its own reward.

Don't get me wrong -- I think publication is wonderful if the prospect appeals to you. But if it doesn't, there's no need to succumb to external pressure from friends or relatives. Some stories aren't meant to be shared, and some authors don't need the validation of print. You can keep all your manuscripts in a lockbox under your bed and still be a writer.

I agree that some writing is not meant to be shared, and certainly there is no obligation ... but if everything you write remains in a lockbox under your bed? ... I'm not so sure. Then again, I have to agree with Suzanna, "to be a writer is to be contrary," so it's probably natural for me to both agree and disagree with what you say.

[HistoryWes]

Before I ever wrote, I imagined fantasy worlds in my head. I remember mapping fantasy places as a very young kid. It was only much later that I realized that instead of just making up the world, one could have a story take place there. That was kind of the point of my first stories-- just to describe what was happening in my fantasy world. Over the years I've learned to get the same feeling of joy by creating characters and situations for them, and plot elements. Eventually writing just became something that I had to do everyday.

[Suzanna]

For the record, I do agree that you don't have to share everything you write. I do journal and I have some stories that will never see the light of day. I guess for me, though, writing - when I'm not journaling to explore my feelings about something, or to record events - is inextricably linked to reading. I can't help it - I want to have that connection with a reader. Not everyone wants or needs that, but it's something I've always dreamed of having.

So the question became - do I want to just write for me (which frankly wouldn't involve plotting, characterization, and all that stuff that's too much like work) or do I want to actually put myself out there and try to make that connection with a reader. I've only just managed to work though the fear that was holding me back. The fear is still there, but I'm trying not to let it paralyze me.

[Justin Nemo]

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.

I'm sure that if Total-e have taken an interest, it 'll be a saleable item and of interest to their readers. I bet that Bailey Bradford, Jade Archer and Amber Kell felt the same way too, the first time.

Best of luck with it.

[MCoorlim]

I tell lies to reveal truths.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by HistoryWes

Before I ever wrote, I imagined fantasy worlds in my head. I remember mapping fantasy places as a very young kid. It was only much later that I realized that instead of just making up the world, one could have a story take place there. That was kind of the point of my first stories-- just to describe what was happening in my fantasy world. Over the years I've learned to get the same feeling of joy by creating characters and situations for them, and plot elements. Eventually writing just became something that I had to do everyday.

I am very much like that HistoryWes. Not only did I imagine fantasy worlds all the time, I drew and built them. Actual physical representations. Some here might remember I became an engineer.

( I rewrote the following after thinking about it some.)

But in one significant way, I am a different creature from many writers. There are two conflicting trends in my life.

1. I am moderately successful in my non-writing life.
2. I am moderately successful in my writing life.

The problem seems to be that there is not enough time to do both really well. It is difficult to serve 2 masters. So which one should I choose?

Continuing as in the past is my current and default choice, but I constantly wrestle with it.

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by frahse

I am very much like that HistoryWes. Not only did I imagine fantasy worlds all the time, I drew and built them. Actual physical representations. Some here might remember I became an engineer.

But in one significant way, I am a different creature from most writers. There are two seemingly successful but conflicting trends in my life.

1. I am successful in my non-writing life.
2. I am successful in my writing life.

…..and that concludes the case for the prosecution your honour.

[gmw]

Originally Posted by frahse

[...]Continuing as in the past is my current and default choice, but I constantly wrestle with it.

Sounds familiar ... not to say that I am successful in writing (it might help if I actually published some of what I've written ), but the constant wrestling with whether or not to disturb the status-quo - or, as so often happens, wait until something disturbs it for you. It seems that threats to the status-quo arise quite regularly, but for a long time now they've faded away again, leaving me nervous but still operating ... I keep waiting for the big one to hit.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by gmw

Sounds familiar ... not to say that I am successful in writing (it might help if I actually published some of what I've written ), but the constant wrestling with whether or not to disturb the status-quo - or, as so often happens, wait until something disturbs it for you. It seems that threats to the status-quo arise quite regularly, but for a long time now they've faded away again, leaving me nervous but still operating ... I keep waiting for the big one to hit.

Well, I've taken the leap. I'm building the wings on the way down.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

…..and that concludes the case for the prosecution your honour.

Hey the defense has yet to take the field.

Reminds me of an old joke.

A man was walking his dog one night by the park where there was a ball field. There were many people in the bleachers with little children running all about and the loud noises of people laughing and shouting. On the field there were men, some with Red caps, others with Blue caps, running here and there. Then as he got closer he saw on a tall wooden board the score written on sheets of paper tacked to the board:

Blues- 19 Reds- 00

He saw a young man with a Red cap and said "well too bad." The young man said "not to worry, we get to bat next."

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Well, I've taken the leap. I'm building the wings on the way down.

That explains your "just passing through" comment then... kind of thought you were moving quickly as you went by! LOL

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

That explains your "just passing through" comment then... kind of thought you were moving quickly as you went by! LOL

Long story, but.... Just updated my title.

[Anna Drake]

When someone once told me I could do anything I wanted to do, my first thought was: then I want to write. Since then most of my professional life was spent as a journalist, and now that i'm retired, I write fiction. 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.