Does writing make you happy?

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seun

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I've always taken this as an obvious side of writing - happiness from creating a story and assumed that was the same for all writers. There's nothing specific to suggest otherwise but at the same time I have read the occasional post here that makes me wonder if all writers are made happy by what we do.

So, does writing make you happy or is that not important to you? Is it just a business, a way of getting paid?
 

Mr Flibble

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Yes, writing makes me happy, even when I'm swearing about it. I'd only be swearing about something else. :D I find it....satisfying to overcome the challenges of each story.

Having other people like what I write and willing to pay for it is a very nice bonus though.
 

Sophia

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It definitely makes me happy. If I think back at the end of a good day and analyze why I'm in such a good mood, it's always (except for special occasions) because it's been a good writing day. :)
 

Jamesaritchie

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I enjoy the writing process, but God, no, writing does not make me happy. I'd hate to live a life where such a thing was even possible.
 

Cella

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It isn't a career for me so my perspective may be different. While I want my work to be good enough to publish someday, I see everything I work on until that point (and even after, really) as practice. I enjoy it, but I bring what enthusiasm I have about life to my writing; I don't draw happiness from what I create.

So I guess, no. Writing doesn't make me happy. It's a creative outlet for me. Like music.

Good question :)
 

Sevvy

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While I am writing I am not happy. It's only afterward (like, the next day), that I look back and realize that yes, I did enjoy doing that. It's a vicious cycle.
 

Adam

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aadams73

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So, does writing make you happy or is that not important to you?

Yes, it makes me happy, or at least content. For real happiness I'd need to have that pony I've always wanted.
 

CaroGirl

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Good question. For me, writing is challenging, satisfying and ultimately quite a bit of fun, most of the time. I'd say it does make me happy, yes. I would HATE to spend this amount of time doing something that didn't. I wonder why anyone would. Although I complain about my day job, it does make me happy at times as well, because I know I'm good at it and it makes me the money I need to help my family live well. Challenge and a feeling of satisfaction lead to happiness.
 

Phaeal

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Hell yeah. Daily writing happiness ranges from satisfied-I-got-some-work-done to ecstatic-I-made-something-beautiful. But as the bumper stickers say: A bad day writing is better than a good day fishing. Or something like that.
 

Namatu

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Nothing makes me happier. Even when I'm pulling my hair out over plot.
 

soapdish

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I think if I stopped writing, I'd be miserable. So it must make me happy. But that's not to say that the process sometimes drives me crazy. :)
 

Chris P

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So, does writing make you happy or is that not important to you? Is it just a business, a way of getting paid?

Both; I write scientific articles for my job. Although I carry some professional flavor to my fiction (there's a science element to many of my stories) when I go home I don't want to even think about what I do all day in the office.
 

sheadakota

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Yes, it makes me happy, or at least content. For real happiness I'd need to have that pony I've always wanted.
I have five horses- while I love them- I don't have to clean up after I write:tongue

And yes, writing makes me happy.
 

icerose

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I love writing, I love the process, I love the outcome. I love and hate subbing. I love the heartpounding excitement of an acceptance letter, I love getting the checks, I hate the drop in enthusiasm after a rejection letter, I hate editing and rewriting. I love seeing the improvement in my writing, seeing my writing hit new heights. I hate finding out that no, the piece isn't perfect just because I love it. :D I love it when someone finally says the piece is ready and love it even more when the contract is signed.
 

charlotte49ers

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Very much! It's why I do it. It's also why I won't be devastated if I don't get published because it's not why I started doing it. :)
 

kdbeaar

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Very. The only thing that would make me happier would be if it WAS my business, and I was getting paid!
 

Cyia

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Brillig in the slithy toves...
Happy.
Sad.
Frustrated.
Annoyed.
Content.
Angry.
Elated.
Triumphant.
Stonewalled.
Blase.
Bored.
Confused.
Victorious.
Incensed.
Blissful.
Thrilled.
Bi-polar.
Tri-polar.
Scattered.
Nervous.
Ecstatic.
Doubtful.
Joyous.
Accomplished.
 
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