Why you write isn’t a question you ask yourself very often. Unlike the dreaded, “where do you get your ideas” questions, it isn’t a favorite of interviewers.
One January several years ago, I made a resolution to write every day. Haven’t we all done that?
By the 15th I hadn’t written at all and feeling more plagued by guilt every day. I had the solution. I didn’t need to write, didn’t need to put myself through the pain, didn’t need the guilt trip.
I vowed to stop writing and not to worry about it any more. I was no longer a writer.
That night I dreamed plot line, complete with characters’ names. When I woke up, I critiqued the story and saw which part wouldn’t work and what had to be changed to make them work. Apparently threatening to quit forced my muse up off the couch.
You don’t think about why you write very often, unless the words aren’t flowing or you receive a rejection. Then you ask yourself why.
You give up quality time with your friends and family. You miss out on the latest episodes of Lost or Survivor. I have a friend who missed the entire first Gulf War because she had a book deadline.
Some of us write to pay the bills. Others write so we can give our kids private school or braces. However, working as a barista at Starbucks would be easier and provide a steady paycheck.
Some of my reasons are
- To get the voices out of my head and down on paper
- To share my stories with the world
- To prove to myself that I can do better than the author of the book I just threw against the wall
- Fame and fortune — yeah, right!
- Because I can’t NOT write
Whatever your reasons, I bet that you share that last one with me. There are so many things we could do that are easier. There’s not a good reason for us to continue to beat our heads against the brick wall of publishing.
Still, we continue to go to writing group meetings, attend critique groups, and put our work out into the world for others to stomp on. We hang around Facebook and other sites were editors, agents, and readers hang out. We tweet over on Twitter and follow others in our industry.
Why do you write? Could you stop if you wanted to?
Write on,
Lynn Jordan
September 4th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Thanks Lynn,
Really inspiring! Just what I needed to hear today! Bless you!
September 4th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Carrie, I’m glad you received some benefit from my musings.
September 6th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Lynn you are indeed an earth angel for helping me get through all of this. Hugs
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