Why write?

I started writing because I was bored, I kept writing because I got paid. Also I find it entertaining, like telling myself a bedtime story.

Because I suck at everything else.

Why? Hm. Right now I'm having a slight crisis with the WIP, so I'm not exactly sure. Because I'm insane and like to cause myself pain. (But the crisis will be over in about 72 hours, I'm guessing, so...)

If I weren't having a crisis, I'd say because I love words. Because my imagination demands attention, demands notice and demands paper. Hence novels. And I really do love writing. A lot, like I couldn't survive without pen and paper (or keyboard and screen). It's sort of like breathing for me. To quote Descartes, (pardon the liberties), I am, therefore I write.

But not today. Gr.

I don't remember when I started. The first "stories" I have were from first grade. I was an advanced reader, so several of them were probably my teacher's attempt to keep me interested and learning.

I write because I speak very poorly. I stutter, jump around, and get distracted in the middle of stories. I've always had something to say so I found a better way to communicate it.

Why do I write?

Because I have good stories and it would be a shame if I was the only one to know about them.

Because when I die, I want to have some kind of legacy.

Because it's the best thing I know how to do.

It's either write or talk aloud to myself. Sometimes it's write and talk aloud to myself. Either way, I need an outlet for all the craziness going on in my head.

My parents encouraged me when I was young to both write and paint. My father was an excellent oil artist who trained at Charles University in Prague, where he also got multiple engineering degrees. My mother is also talented not just in art but crafts, and my grandmother knits and crochets amazing works of art. So I guess it comes from growing up in a household where that was important. Also, I loved books and read constantly. A lot of people say they can't imagine not writing. I'm like that. Creating is part of living. Art is part of how we make the world beautiful (at least to us.)

To quote my wife (it's her answer to every one of my "Why do you do so-and-so" questions) and with apologies to George Mallory:

Because.

Writing is easier than not writing. I've always loved stories, telling them keeps me going.

Because if I don't write, my head will explode like an over-ripe tomato in the August sun. No, seriously. I have some kind of a "brain problem" (as my wife calls it) and ideas pour into my brain constantly. The only way to appease them is to write them. It's a real horse-race staying ahead of the onslaught of the little buggers, let me tell you.

I write because I must write...it is my purpose...the reason I exist.

Clarec said:

Snipped...

So, why does everyone else write? How did you start? Do you enjoy it? Lie back and tell me all.... ;-)

Clare

Click to expand...

I write because I enjoy writing.

I started out just having fun, and then one day my father told me I could be a good writer if I put some work into it. That encouraged me so much I've pretty much stayed on-course with it overall over the last 25 (almost 26) years.

I did, however, have a couple times when I had given up. But they didn't last long. I had to get back into the chair and write again. It was inevitable.

And I'm glad that I did come back to the Craft. There's something magical about it that I cannot explain. It's just ... right.

I write because I have to, but I also love the craft so I'm quite happy about it.

I started writing in high school and got good support for it, so I wanted to continue. I wrote on and off for years, more for my amusement than anything else. I truly enjoy writing, it's fun and satisfying. Then my life got busy and I stopped for a few years.

The problem is I need a creative outlet. When I had some free time again I started getting creative in far less constructive ways, like game modding or playing Dungeons & Dragons. Both were immensely fun but time consuming without much reward (okay, I gained a good deal of fame from modding but it was time to move on). I finally decided to start writing again and rediscovered my passion for it.

Now I have to write because if I don't, all the characters and story ideas become mind-worms that wriggle around inside me, growing nastier and more vicious, until I can't think about anything else and I have to exorcise the demon. I might have taken my passion a little too far, but I still love it, so maybe I'll keep that addiction.

I was going to use the 'head will explode' thing, but steveg beat me to it-

so, lets just say it makes the voices in my head be quiet for a little while

Because I'd thought about writing for so long that I felt I owed it to myself to make some legitimate efforts. If I fail, I want to at least say that I gave it a good shot, so it won't be something I regret not having tried.

Clarec said:

I never sat down in an attempt to write a book. I've always loved the writing experience, even when it's been hard, and to me it's something I just have to do. I don't care whether or not I get published (which doens't mean I'm not trying but it's not my motivation), I don't care whether or not anyone else reads my work - I have to get these words out otherwise they rattle around in my head and drive me nuts.

So, why does everyone else write? How did you start? Do you enjoy it? Lie back and tell me all.... ;-)

Click to expand...

I can't remember anything "making" me feel a need to write; it's just something I've always done, as long as I can remember. I still have a few childhood stories surviving, and even when I wasn't writing things in childhood, I do remember I would make up entire stories using my stuffed animals and little plastic figurines. I'd be at this for hours. I guess my writing is the same thing, making believe, just on paper now. If I could remember the exact moment I started writing, just for writing's sake, that would be awesome. But my memory doesn't go back that far.

I love writing, otherwise I would have stopped. I don't write for publication (and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one, I was fearing I was!), but I DO hope greatly to entertain others with my work, otherwise it seems kind of like a useless thing to put so much effort into, and believe me, I put a LOT of effort into it. So I get highly discouraged a lot of the time that I'm not really succeeding at this. Meaning, I have no logical REASON to keep writing...but I keep doing it anyway. I'd be lost without it; I literally have nothing else I feel I can do. Writing is the only semi-useful thing I feel I can offer the world, should the world want it. Though there obviously has to be another, unconscious reason why I keep at it despite the world not really caring.

At times I even feel like I'm tending to something that's alive, and keeping it alive, through my words, and that abandoning it would in effect be letting it die. I'm not sure how to explain it without sounding psycho--in fact this is just a vague explanation--but hopefully someone gets my drift.

I'm sure I could go on, but I'll spare anybody reading this.

Mostly for the babes and fountains of cash.

Because I wanted to see my name on the cover of a book. Now that I'm published, I want to see my name on another cover of a book.

I always have to express my creativity.

That and my artwork.

Clarec said:

I'm fairly new here and am really enjoying reading about other people's writing experiences but I've got a little question. I've noticed people saying things like "I just decided to write a book one day," or "I've been writing for years" or "I've had a great idea, how do I turn it into a book?" and so on which got me thinking - why do you all write?

Personally, I've always written throughout my life albeit on and off but I've never really seen anything through until the end. A few years ago I had this odd dream and woke up thinking "that'd be a good idea for a novel." I didn't do anything about it though (having an 'off' period) but I couldn't forget the dream. I put pen to paper in a cathartic attempt to purge myself of the dream but to my surprise it just kept going and going and here I am.

I never sat down in an attempt to write a book. I've always loved the writing experience, even when it's been hard, and to me it's something I just have to do. I don't care whether or not I get published (which doens't mean I'm not trying but it's not my motivation), I don't care whether or not anyone else reads my work - I have to get these words out otherwise they rattle around in my head and drive me nuts.

So, why does everyone else write? How did you start? Do you enjoy it? Lie back and tell me all.... ;-)

Clare

Click to expand...

I need a creative outlet or I'll go insane and/or kill myself. I suppose that's as blunt of an answer that I can give.

Clarec said:

So, why does everyone else write? How did you start? Do you enjoy it? Lie back and tell me all.... ;-)

Clare

Click to expand...

Why do I write. Mostly because I have to for school and such. I also write poetry (when the mood strikes), several blogs (all discontinued except for one) and on my journal/diary. I have yet to write something "substantial," but I'm trying to learn more about the craft (writing styles and such) before I jump off the deep end. Right now I'm trying to unlearn all this legalese I paid ridiculous money to read, which is quite the opposite of the kind of writing I want to do. Eh!

I suppose I write because I must.

If I didn't I would explode into a million little pieces with the imagery shifting in and out of my imagination.

I like to set myself chalanges. I want to be published before I am 18. That is an aim I have. I turned 17 today. I have 36,000 words written and will be finished draft 1 in September. I hope I meet my target.