For me, writing is so many things. I've experienced an array of emotions because of my crazy need to write. So today, I'm sharing what writing is to me.
Writing is:
freeing
an outlet for creativity
demanding and at times all-consuming
fun and totally inspiring
lonely at times
an emotional roller coaster
addicting
maddening
draining
therapuetic
energizing
as natural and necessary to me as breathing
part of who I am
Yes, my list has positives and negatives. There are days when I wonder why I torture myself by being an author. Publishing is crazy and extremely hard. I've cried so many tears over the years, yet I keep writing. As much as writing takes out of me, it continues to give me so much more. I couldn't imagine doing anything else (except for editing, but that's part of writing, too). So I'll continue to take the bad with the good and hope the good wins out in the end, because I've discovered that putting words on paper is something I have to do. It's a part of me.
What is writing to you?
I believe you are one of these people who were really born to be a writer. You do it with so much conviction. I don't think that anything will ever stop you.
ReplyDeleteTo me writing is often frustrating. First I feel the need to write a certain book, but as soon as I start, doubt settles in. And once that starts, I doubt about everything to a point that it becomes limiting, and I even become irritable en self-conscious in real life. Maybe it just means that I still have a lot to learn as a writer. Therefor, I don't have the feeling that I was born to be a writer. I just do it occasionally. I'm much more sane and happy without the writing ;-)
I do think some people are born to write and others take it up later. However, writing can make us all feel crazy. ;) As much as I love writing, it drives me insane sometimes. Still, I know I'd be worse off if I didn't write. I feel like something is missing when I'm not writing.
DeleteI've been thinking of writing without publishing lately.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with that, Beth.
DeleteI'm glad you've included both pluses and minuses of writing. Lately, I've felt that latter, but I think that's because life has recently kicked me around. I'll get back to it. I have to, for many of the positives you've mentioned. There's an inane need inside to create, to follow a make believe life and see where it goes and how it grows. <3
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Sheri. I've found bad things happen to me in my writing life in November. Two year in a row this has been the case. I'm sure it's coincidence, but it's been tough.
Delete*years*
DeleteVery encouraging, Kelly! I definitely have had moments lately where I wondered if this whole "writer" thing was worth it.
ReplyDeleteThis industry can wear you down if you let it. I like to remind myself of why I write sometimes to help me keep my head up.
DeleteI've asked myself the same question, especially this last two months. But, I've decided I write to keep sane whether I publish or not. However, I love to read so keep writing Kelly. I love your books.
ReplyDeleteI will ALWAYS write, Sherry. No worries. :)
DeleteI think your list sums it up quite nicely for me too!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI love that list and I just have to say a HUGE dito. Some days I almost want to quit, and then I write something new that I love and other people love too, and then I wonder how I could have even thought about throwing in the towel (or pen).
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
I know that feeling. :)
DeleteI was fortunate enough to hear Joyce Carol Oats speak a few years back. Of course the subject was writing. One thing she said that stuck with me was this...(and i am paraphrasing).. '"In my all years as an adjunct professor I have seen some brilliant writers... and some not so amazing....what surprised me over the years were the writer's with slightly less talent, the scrappy writers. Those are generally the ones who have gone on and made a name for themselves. They never gave up. They kept writing. Set back after set back, rejections, etc., they never gave up like the other writers... " her point was if it's your calling, keep at it and you with eventually outlast the whacked world of published. She did tell us how the writer's in her circle had a running joke about who was being rejected by the New Yorker. Even though they were published, have a pedigree, they were still rejected. We are what we are, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's very true.
DeleteI'll go with both lonely and therapeutic. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that writing has its ups and downs, but the ups outweigh the downs for sure! :) Great post and comments.
ReplyDelete~Jess
And that's really the important part. :)
DeleteYour list hit it all, especially that emotional roller coaster. In the span of one day, writing can take me way up, or way down. But quitting is never an option!
ReplyDeleteExactly. I've hit a lot of highs and lows lately, often in the same day as you mentioned. Crazy. But I can't imagine not writing.
DeleteAll of the above.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteIt is often intimidating yet also, strangely, one of those decisions I've never regretted.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Claudine!
DeleteYes, all of it! Up and down and all-consuming, mainly. I see so many would-be writers trying to write around the edges of life. If it works for them, great, but I don't think writing is really all that willing to share us with too many other pursuits.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it doesn't share well. ;)
DeleteAmen to all the above.
ReplyDelete