Write Stuff

[catelin]

I've been thinking about writing over the last few days...really thinking about it. Mostly, I've been wondering about the different reasons people write, and how they write--how much or little of their own voices creep into their printed words, what motivates them. I'm not thinking so much about journaling. I can certainly understand most of the many reasons a person might journal. I'm talking about writing for an audience--poetry, fiction, essays...those sorts of things. I was discussing this with my doctor, who often writes for a living. We talked about our reasons for writing and I realized for the first time that not all of us writers go through the same process to create our stories. I think there are different types of writers and I'm trying to figure out what they might be.

I perceive myself as more of a scribe, even though I write fiction for the most part. I chronicle little pieces of people and things that shine and catch my attention somehow. I find a comfort in acknowledging the tremendous battles/losses/heroics/etc. to be found in the smallest of moments. I tell the stories of the angels that dance on the heads of pins...or at least, that's how I think of what I do. I am compelled to write, not so much as a psychological release of my demons, but as a way of reaching out and patting the universe's hand. It's corny, I know. But some of the best and most beautiful things in my life are.

So what is it, writers? What is it that makes you do what you do? How is it you perceive what your purpose in writing is? What do you like or dislike most about it? I'm so intensely curious about this now.

Comments

[catelin.livejournal.com]

The urge to "make" things...I have that too. I would guess that we all have that, to one extent or another. I do so many other things, this makes me wonder if I dilute one talent by focusing on another. I seem to be destined to be good, not great, at many things. Do you think that focusing on painting or music, for example, would take away from the creative energy you would otherwise devote to writing? Is a choice necessary?

Re:

[emrecom.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what 'great' is. I think that 'focused vision' is attainable by all. But there's an entrance fee.

I don't do music now because I worry that my efforts would be diluted. But I tend to worry.