When does writing become an obsession?

Mr Sci Fi · May 19, 2008

I can't seem to manage a single day without the prospect of writing coursing through my mind like so many neurotransmitters. I think about writing while I'm at my computer. I think about writing while I'm in the kitchen. I think about writing while I'm brushing my teeth, combing my hair, using the John, walking the dog, taking out the trash, tying my shoes, driving to class, making love. I even dream of writing.

I do not process common thought as anything other than receding vertical lines of letters, like The Matrix grid. I often wonder what life would be like without the written word. Without the art of storytelling. I don't think I would be able to survive, and I would probably crinkle in brown depression like an egg left to fry too long.

I'd like to give my mind a break every once in a while, but distraction eludes me.

What's even worse is when I sit down to write I'm often dejected due to fear of the finished product, and therefore can't seem to satiate my literary lust. Am I beyond hope?

Matera the Mad · May 19, 2008

I kind of control mine...sort of.

PinkUnicorn · May 19, 2008

Mr Sci Fi said:
I can't seem to manage a single day without the prospect of writing coursing through my mind like so many neurotransmitters. I think about writing while I'm at my computer. I think about writing while I'm in the kitchen. I think about writing while I'm brushing my teeth, combing my hair, using the John, walking the dog, taking out the trash, tying my shoes, driving to class, making love. I even dream of writing.

WOW! You sound just like me! OMG! We both suffer from some sort of writers brain syndrome, LOL!

HeronW · May 20, 2008

If I'm not writing I'm thinking about the characters--so I'm hopelessly addicted and I like it that way.

mscelina · May 20, 2008

...when I've been up for 21 hours and am still working...

Yep. Qualifies as an obsession at that point, I'm thinking.

coneflower2001 · May 20, 2008

Right there with you...

The Scip · May 20, 2008

I think we all must obsess a little about writing. If I'm not writing I'm always thinking of characters or new stories to tell, I guess thats why we write, because we have so many things to get out of our heads.

KTC · May 20, 2008

I knew it was an obsession about 25 years ago or so when I started writing letters to my girlfriend. They started out as simple letters, and accidentally fell into the category of serial novels... she was sadly inundated with pages and pages of handwritten prose. She did keep asking for more, though... so it was kind of her fault. You can deny something as much as you like, but it will always find a way into your life if it wants to be your obsession. (-;

Oh... and I married that girlfriend. She still reads my work, but it's no longer handwritten.

steveg144 · May 20, 2008

It becomes an obsession (in the ordinary sense and quite possibly in the medical sense) when you simply can not stop writing. By that definition, my writing is obsessive.

James81 · May 20, 2008

I honestly thought I was the only one until I came here.

Staroffurby · May 20, 2008

I'm an addict to writing and a slave to the English language. I would not have it any other way. The word addiction gives the impression of negative feelings, specially when linked with alcohol or drugs. This addiction is wonderfully blissful and the only bad effect on my health is the amount of coffee i tend to drink whilst writing.

If i am not banging my fingers on the letters of a keyboard, then i am deep in a world of character study and plot outline within my own head. I may be people watching or flicking through the pages of an interesting book or magazine. Taking notes about some bizarre experience, or a mundane experience seen from a bizarre viewpoint.

Some person who's name has escaped me said "English is my mistress and the written word is my fetish, its an addiction that i passionately need to indulge myself in frequently." I did have the quote on my wall. This has got me thinking and Google is not helping me. I think it may be Stephen Fry :Shrug:

Mr Flibble · May 20, 2008

Daily conversation in my house:

Old Man: Hun. HUN. HUN!!!!!!

Me: mmm?

OM: I've been talking to you for five minutes, are you listening?

Me: mm?

OM comes between me and teapot/ wine bottle

Me: What? Did you say something? I was just thinking about that scene, you know the one where she goes and then he...*eyes glaze over again*

OM: *sweary noises*

My name is Idiot, and I'm an addict. But it's a damn sight better than some other addictions

tehuti88 · May 20, 2008

Well, I believe I'm obsessed with it, and not necessarily in a good way. I'm disabled with social anxiety, so as you can imagine, I have pretty much nothing to do BUT write. Much of my life has been this way, even when I had a friend or two, and when I was young and not so horribly shy. Constantly making up worlds and characters and even pretending to be them. I still pretend...just in my head, so people can't think I'm too weird.

The problem is, I tend to think of almost everything in terms of my writing, my writing, my writing. Someone wants to talk about their kids? Not interested, because I'm thinking about my writing. Something important just happened in the world? That's nice, I wonder what things are happening in my made-up worlds? I can't make smalltalk because all I know is writing and the subjects that relate to my writing. I'm honestly not interested in many other things. I tried to be, but am not. And other people's writing? Well...I'd LIKE to say I can be interested in that, but so far, I haven't found much that's enticed me. Other people's characters don't resonate with me the way mine do. This isn't bigheaded, and I'm not saying I'm a great writer, because I don't think I am; I just don't "connect."

Ditto with people, unless, of course, they are into my writing!

Which is basically nobody, so, yes, it's lonely.

My psychologist says try to make smalltalk and such with people. Maybe I would, if they'd talk about my writing!

Staroffurby · May 20, 2008

tehuti88 said:
Well, I believe I'm obsessed with it, and not necessarily in a good way. I'm disabled with social anxiety, so as you can imagine, I have pretty much nothing to do BUT write. Much of my life has been this way, even when I had a friend or two, and when I was young and not so horribly shy. Constantly making up worlds and characters and even pretending to be them. I still pretend...just in my head, so people can't think I'm too weird.

The problem is, I tend to think of almost everything in terms of my writing, my writing, my writing. Someone wants to talk about their kids? Not interested, because I'm thinking about my writing. Something important just happened in the world? That's nice, I wonder what things are happening in my made-up worlds? I can't make smalltalk because all I know is writing and the subjects that relate to my writing. I'm honestly not interested in many other things. I tried to be, but am not. And other people's writing? Well...I'd LIKE to say I can be interested in that, but so far, I haven't found much that's enticed me. Other people's characters don't resonate with me the way mine do. This isn't bigheaded, and I'm not saying I'm a great writer, because I don't think I am; I just don't "connect."

Ditto with people, unless, of course, they are into my writing!

Which is basically nobody, so, yes, it's lonely.

My psychologist says try to make smalltalk and such with people. Maybe I would, if they'd talk about my writing!

Sorry to hear this, really i am. As a bipolar sufferer i get bad social anxiety and can lock myself away and do anything but see another person. I know the most basic task is impossible. You have my sympathies. Is it not better you have writing to focus on, rather than the issues of anxiety

sheadakota · May 20, 2008

IdiotsRUs said:
Daily conversation in my house:

Old Man: Hun. HUN. HUN!!!!!!

Me: mmm?

OM: I've been talking to you for five minutes, are you listening?

Me: mm?

OM comes between me and teapot/ wine bottle

Me: What? Did you say something? I was just thinking about that scene, you know the one where she goes and then he...*eyes glaze over again*

OM: *sweary noises*

My name is Idiot, and I'm an addict. But it's a damn sight better than some other addictions

Wow- I think we're married to the same guy- I have learned the fine art of looking interested in what he is talking about while thinking about dialouge in my head- he catches me sometimes when he stops in mid-sentence and asks me what he just said - OoOO Busted!

mscelina · May 20, 2008

Apparently, I have the ability to carry on an entire conversation, complete with responses, and have no clue what the conversation was about two minutes later. IT drives my husbands nuts.

Of course, I always win this argument with, "Don't like it? Stay the hell out of my study then."

That goes over really well, believe you me...

DWSTXS · May 20, 2008

mscelina said:
Apparently, I have the ability to carry on an entire conversation, complete with responses, and have no clue what the conversation was about two minutes later. IT drives my husbands nuts.

Of course, I always win this argument with, "Don't like it? Stay the hell out of my study then."

That goes over really well, believe you me...

You may very well be the perfect wife. For the man who is exactly the same way.

separate offices. 2 writers under 1 roof. yeah, that would work.

DWSTXS · May 20, 2008

Oh, and I have dreamed about AW for 2 nights in a row now.

James81 · May 20, 2008

mscelina said:
Apparently, I have the ability to carry on an entire conversation, complete with responses, and have no clue what the conversation was about two minutes later. IT drives my husbands nuts.

Of course, I always win this argument with, "Don't like it? Stay the hell out of my study then."

That goes over really well, believe you me...

I'll go you one more...

I have the uncanny ability to be looking RIGHT AT YOU (even making eye contact) and not be hearing a damn word you are saying. :tongue

Mr.H. · May 20, 2008

I'm finding more and more of an addiction to this place as well. I never blog, I don't chat, and I'm not in any forums like this. Yet, now that I am here, I feel a need to constantly check back and read another thread I haven't seen yet. It's worse than checking my email!! At least around here, I learn something every time I show up.

Mr.H. · May 20, 2008

And, as far as the addiction to writing, this place is perfect for those of us who need to dump out some words here and there that don't fit our WIPs, but must otherwise still be "spoken".

Kate Thornton · May 20, 2008

I have been addicted to writing *and* to AW - but I just took a couple of months off to both travel & paint. I feel better now - but I am back, so I guess the "cure" was not a success...!

Mr Sci Fi · May 20, 2008

I'm glad I'm not alone. I thought I was crazy.

inkkognito · May 20, 2008

I view obsession as something having negative consequences in my life. I HAVE to write, just as much as I have to breath, but it doesn't interfere with other activities to the point of being a problem. I actually put my freelancing on hold for almost 20 years, but at the time I was doing corporate communications and writing classroom and online courses, so I had an outlet. As soon as the outlet was removed, I started blogging...when that wasn't enough, it was back to freelancing. But I've noticed that I go in spurts. I have two other businesses, and at the moment both have been insanely busy so my writing has been off to the side for a few weeks. If it were a true obsession, I don't think I would be able to do that.

DWSTXS · May 20, 2008

Obsession?

In my opnion, AW has become a sort of 'literary crack cocaine' to me. I am seriously addicted.

When does writing become an obsession?

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