Publish or Perish
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Why Do You Write?
One of my new daily reads , The Struggling Writer wrote a great post the other day about why he writes.
I've actually had more trouble writing this particular post than I ever imagined. The first time I wrote it, blogger ate it. Thanks, Blogger.
No, wait. I really mean it.
The second time I began writing this post, I couldn't finish it. It felt too dry. Even though it was a straight history of my amateur writing career it didn't say why I wrote. Yes, the timeline is interesting - and I'll probably still publish it one day - but I wanted to write why.
Does that make sense?
No?
I'm not surprised.
Anyway, I write because I don't know anything else. No, that's not entirely true. I know other things, but writing seems to the most natural state of being for me. Well, one of the natural states of being for me. I believe that if you cut me open that blood would not flow out. Ink would. That inside my head there wouldn't be a brain but unwritten scenes that are bursting to get out.
I write because it's natural for me to write.
That's why I write.
Tags: writing, simplicity
I've actually had more trouble writing this particular post than I ever imagined. The first time I wrote it, blogger ate it. Thanks, Blogger.
No, wait. I really mean it.
The second time I began writing this post, I couldn't finish it. It felt too dry. Even though it was a straight history of my amateur writing career it didn't say why I wrote. Yes, the timeline is interesting - and I'll probably still publish it one day - but I wanted to write why.
Does that make sense?
No?
I'm not surprised.
Anyway, I write because I don't know anything else. No, that's not entirely true. I know other things, but writing seems to the most natural state of being for me. Well, one of the natural states of being for me. I believe that if you cut me open that blood would not flow out. Ink would. That inside my head there wouldn't be a brain but unwritten scenes that are bursting to get out.
I write because it's natural for me to write.
That's why I write.
Tags: writing, simplicity
Labels: writing
5 Comments:
I write because it (somewhat) keeps teh crazy in check. Just imagine what I'd be like if I didn't write. And those weeks when there are a ton of posts? They are an attempt to fight teh crazy...to let out whatever it is inside me that is clawing savagely to get out and be set free into the universe lest it strangle me. I write, not because I love to, but because I HAVE to.
I write for both those reasons - because I'm always writing in my head, because I have things to say and need to say them, because I like to, because I know now that I can, that it's not a priviledge, but a right. :-)
I tried to link to Struggling Writer but I've somehow screwed it up and the link keeps directing me back to myself (is it a hint?). I swear I'll fix this any day now, when I have a moment again...
But yeah, writing...I think I do it because I'm (ok, only sometimes and even then it's questionable) good at it. It's why I'm not a musician, or a painter, or a cheerleader. I tried those things, and after an investment of time and heartache, came to nothing (ok, I didn't really try at cheerleading). But writing...it...stuck.
I write because it helps me remember to think. Otherwise, I will hide my thoughts from everybody -- and myself. And that doesn't necessarily mean that everything I think comes out in my writing. But the process of writing gets my brain in gear again.
I realize this really doesn't make any sense. :)
Beans: Yeah, I realize that writing also keeps my particular brand of crazy in check. Last night as I was staring at my novel, I did a crazy thing and cut it into each scene. Then I taped it back together in the hopes of having it more coherent. Loki and Bob were looking at me as if I were crazy. I suppose I am though.:)
Yes, we write because we absolutely have to. That's good.
EDW: Writing as a right. I like it!
Mixi: No, it's not a hint.:) No, you're more than okay with writing. You're very good. Now, if you would publish some pieces on your blog....
Julie: I also write (in my journal) to help me remember. No, I completely understand what you mean. :)
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