Why do you keep writing?

MelodyO · May 22, 2007

Two more rejections today. I'd feel more hopeful if anyone was asking for partials at least, but they're not. ::mainlines chocolate::

You know, writing is time-consuming and exhausting. Querying is nerve wracking. The rejection is painful. Trying to get a book published is...not a lot of fun. So tell me - why do you keep writing? Why stops you from quitting so you can get some sleep/play PS3/sit on the porch in the sunshine and read a book instead?

Siddow · May 22, 2007

ha! I sit on the porch in the sunshine and write!

Seriously, though, I keep writing because I enjoy it. When I write something I think other people might enjoy, I send it out.

janetbellinger · May 22, 2007

It's a personal challenge to keep improving my writing. It's something I haven't completely mastered yet and I like challenges. There is always something more to learn about writing. Probably the day I know everything there is to know about writing will be the day I quit writing.

jhtatroe · May 22, 2007

I am happiest and feel best about myself when I am writing regularly. I've gone through periods where I stopped and I didn't like myself nearly as much.

zahra · May 22, 2007

jhtatroe said:
I am happiest and feel best about myself when I am writing regularly. I've gone through periods where I stopped and I didn't like myself nearly as much.

What s/he said.

Besides, I have these things in my head, and they want out.

sunna · May 22, 2007

Yeah, writing the book is definitely the fun part. Who knew?
Hang in there. I recommend Godiva chocolate liqueur: you get the best of two worlds, and a nice buzz if you're persistent.

Why keep writing? Erm, for me it's probably:
1) Sheer stubbornness (but determination sounds so much nicer);
2) doubtless a bit of good ole going-to-make-them-all-sorry-they-rejected-me sulk left over from childhood (can you imagine what the people who rejected the first Harry Potter book are thinking now?); and
3) because I can't stop.

...Also I have no idea what a PS3 is, and it's probably for the best that I don't.

But sitting in the sunshine and reading is nice. Bring chocolate, take a break, and forge onward.
Good luck!

julief · May 22, 2007

fish gotta swim

scarletpeaches · May 22, 2007

Why do I write? Well...I must warn you, this will sound (apologies for the swears, I AM trying to cut right down, I promise) a tad wanky but here goes.

I like to create. And the part of me that likes the thought of megalomania enjoys controlling people's lives, even if those lives aren't real. I like to work through issues. I like to entertain. I like to express myself.

And hopefully one day I'll be able to say I like the pay.

Calla Lily · May 22, 2007

I keep at it because I love the worlds I create. I love throwing rocks at my MCs. I love listening to my characters tell me their hopes and fears and what they like for breakfast. I love it when they grab the story and run in an entirely new direction with it and I'm frantically scribbling while they fight or play or scream or laugh.

Even when I'm not writing, I'm, well, writing. In my head.

So I agree: fish gotta swim. (And now that song is stuck in my head!)

julief · May 22, 2007

callalily61 said:
So I agree: fish gotta swim. (And now that song is stuck in my head!)

Mine, too (which is only fair)

Scrawler · May 22, 2007

Why do you keep writing?
I can't not write.

DeborahM · May 22, 2007

Because it's the perfect niche I have found in my life in all that I have done...to date.

FloVoyager · May 22, 2007

I enjoy it. The writing itself, that is, not the rest.

P.s.: Sorry about the rejections.

Ms.Write · May 22, 2007

I write because it's the only thing that totally absorbs me - esp. story. I also enjoy learning and meeting a challenge, though I can REALLY do without the rejection side of it!

Hang in there, everyone!

arkady · May 23, 2007

I write for the usual reasons: love of creating, stories running around in my head that want to get out, etc.

But I also have a deep need to get my work before people, to share what I do with total strangers who'll like it so much they're willing to pay for it. That's why I keep going.

The odds against that ever happening are enormous. If I quit, the odds in my favor drop to exactly zero.

CaroGirl · May 23, 2007

I like writing and actually think I might be good at it. I have no proof of this as yet, but allow me to persist in my delusion. Thank you.

gem1122 · May 23, 2007

jhtatroe said:
I am happiest and feel best about myself when I am writing regularly. I've gone through periods where I stopped and I didn't like myself nearly as much.

Exactly. I've decided in the past to 'pack it in' -- but I am miserable when I'm not writing.

Pisarz · May 23, 2007

I write because my life is good, and if I didn't get rejected on queries and chapters for the past 17 months, I'd have nothing about which to complain or get frustrated. Ergo, I write so I can complain and kick myself while I'm down (no mean feat, I tell you). It's working quite well.

Soccer Mom · May 23, 2007

Why write?

Cause I'm stupid? A glutton for punishment?

Oh yeah, and I like it too. So, um, all of the above.

Plus it keeps me off the streets. I suck at other hobbies.

Doug Johnson · May 23, 2007

jhtatroe said:
I am happiest and feel best about myself when I am writing regularly. I've gone through periods where I stopped and I didn't like myself nearly as much.

I think there are really only a couple of good reasons to write fiction. IMO, this is the best one. If you're talented enough to make money doing it, it's better than picking up trash for a living.

There are, however, lots of reasons to write other things.

scarletpeaches · May 23, 2007

I truly believe that if you're a writer at heart, you can't not write. If you say, "I give up," and you do, then you were never a writer in the first place.

I'll say it again - if you're a writer, you can't not write.

Stew21 · May 23, 2007

I would write even if I never got published, not that I don't want to. It's the craft of it that keeps me going. It is a compulsion/passion/need that I want to keep feeding.

I hope the "business" side of it never sours me to the craft of it. that would be a real shame.

scarletpeaches · May 23, 2007

But I'd still like to be rich enough to eat diamonds. :e2brows:

David McAfee · May 23, 2007

I write because I want to.

Jack Nog · May 23, 2007

I write because 'Dancing with the Stars' rejected me and I think if I got published, they might let me on.

Why do you keep writing?

MelodyO

Waiting for love on the web

Siddow

I'm super! Thanks for asking

janetbellinger

jhtatroe

zahra

Was Zahra; lost profile - REBORN!

sunna

julief

Hardly here

scarletpeaches

Calla Lily

On hiatus

julief

Hardly here

Scrawler

Bored fanatic

DeborahM

I need espresso & chocolate!

FloVoyager

Will write for chocolate

Ms.Write

arkady

CaroGirl

Living the dream

gem1122

We can pickle that

Pisarz

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

Doug Johnson

scarletpeaches

Stew21

scarletpeaches

David McAfee

God of Squirrels

Jack Nog

Brain-farts are useful too.