This week: Why Do You Write? Edited by: fyn  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say. ~~Flannery O’Connor
Why am I compelled to write? . . . Because the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not give me. By writing I put order in the world, give it a handle so I can grasp it. I write because life does not appease my appetites and anger . . . To become more intimate with myself and you. To discover myself, to preserve myself, to make myself, to achieve self-autonomy. To dispell the myths that I am a mad prophet or a poor suffering soul. To convince myself that I am worthy and that what I have to say is not a pile of shit . . . Finally I write because I’m scared of writing, but I’m more scared of not writing. ~~Gloria E. Anzaldúa
Any writer worth his salt writes to please himself…It’s a self-exploratory operation that is endless. An exorcism of not necessarily his demon, but of his divine discontent. ~~Harper Lee
I just knew there were stories I wanted to tell. ~~Octavia E. Butler
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions. ~~James Michener
|
| ASIN: 0910355479 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 13.99
|
|
Why do I write? Because I must. If I go too long without writing I turn into the sludge monster from the pits of eternal gunk! Seriously, I get depressed, cranky or (according to my hubby) way, way worse! Necessary, similar to breathing. Beyond that, it is how I assimilate the world around me, figure out what does what, and figure out next steps to take. Those who know me well will figure out in mere seconds if I've been writing or not and, if not, for how long. They all knew when I was working on my memoir. Even though some of the writing was hard to do, I was a happy camper.
More, I flat-out love it. It has been (my writing) a lifelong work in progress. I have taken so many writing courses just because I could. Always something new to try, or learn. Doesn't matter if it is short stories, poetry, or novels. There is just something about starting something new, and not even necessarily knowing where it might go or lead or end up. Worlds present themselves, characters erupt into being and trouble is always just around the bend.
I remember, back in the day, being terrified of writing dialog. I'd do anything to avoid it. And then, one day, I got brave. I tried it. It wasn't terrible. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terribly terrible! I seriously felt as if doors had been thrown open and I've never looked back. It was so freeing!
Poetry-wise, sure, I prefer some forms over others. Most of us do, I expect. That's absolutely okay. I've tried numerous forms that I simply didn't enjoy writing. Some, I just am not good at. (Yet!) Others, like pantoums or sestinas, I have fun with. For me, it is more about the thoughts, the words than being forced into a form. I've never been good at coloring within the lines!
Writing makes me happy. It really doesn't matter what I'm writing. Could be for posting here on site, it might be for a book or simply, just because. Quite frankly, any excuse will do! *grin*
For years I was told it was a waste of time, that I'd never get published anyway, and that no one would want to read the 'drivel' that I wrote. They were wrong. On all levels. WDC taught me that! The walls blew away, the barriers tumbled and the shackles came off. I was free to be me.
While I was working on my memoir, I did a lot (and I mean A LOT!) of thinking about the 'why of my writing' and how it makes me feel. I thought about the purposes behind it, the results when I complete a piece, the sheer happiness of expressing my thoughts to the world and tossing them to the winds. In thinking about the underlying messages I wanted my memoir to share, I was forced to examine my life, my thoughts, my inspirations, my motivations, and my heart. I wanted people, my readers, to be willing to examine new perspectives, to be willing to go after what is important to them and to realize that each of us is special. In telling my stories, I wanted to show others that we all can do this. We don't need to be rich or famous or anything like that. We just need to have lived, learned from our mistakes, tried again (and again if necessary) and keep adding umph to those tries. That is, after all, what 'triumph' is, isn't it?
So, why do YOU write? Worth thinking about! :)
|
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2324909 by Not Available. |
| | | The Wallet (E)
Returning from Chicago, an exhausted Victoria stops for breakfast.
#2299337 by tracker  |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B083RZ37SZ |
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available. |
|
| ASIN: B000FC0SIM |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
For Authors: August 14, 2024 Issue [#12688]
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
