Why do you write?

Sassy3421 · May 27, 2010

Just curious what everyone has to say?

The chances of getting published are less than ever...there's so many of us out there and the competition is fierce. And that's not even broaching the subject of the economy...

I guess I write because it fills a need in me. Well I hope to be successful with it, I realize the chances might be slim. Yet, I still struggle with the conviction to keep up doing it (especially edits)!

Why do you write?

Xvee · May 27, 2010

I want to entertain people. Spread some joy and smiles. But I guess I could achieve the same being a party clown.

blacbird · May 27, 2010

You forgot the "Damned if I know" option.

caw

scarletpeaches · May 27, 2010

I want to get laid.

Wayne K · May 27, 2010

I want SP to get laid too

blacbird · May 27, 2010

There are more efficient ways.

caw

TrickyFiction · May 27, 2010

It's a bad, bad habit.

Wayne K · May 27, 2010

I write because I have something to say. I want someone to read my work and say "Damn, I wish I wrote that"

Stormhawk · May 27, 2010

Because I can't not.

I'm a writer, it's just what I am.

But driving people crazy with cliffhangers, getting them to squee over pairings in the series and making them cry doesn't hurt either.

aadams73 · May 27, 2010

I write because I love telling stories, because I enjoy entertaining others, because I love arranging words until they paint vivid pictures.

I write because every time I touch the keyboard I learn something new about my worlds, about my characters, and about myself.

I write because it's fun and because I'm pretty good at it.

If those last two things weren't true, I'd do something else and be happy doing that instead.

scarletpeaches · May 27, 2010

Okay, honest answer?

I write to be heard.

Also, it's pretty cool that I make shit up and get paid for it.

waylander · May 27, 2010

Because the voices tell me to

Margarita Skies · May 27, 2010

I write because I love it.

Jamesaritchie · May 27, 2010

Sassy3421 said:
Just curious what everyone has to say?

The chances of getting published are less than ever...there's so many of us out there and the competition is fierce. And that's not even broaching the subject of the economy...

I guess I write because it fills a need in me. Well I hope to be successful with it, I realize the chances might be slim. Yet, I still struggle with the conviction to keep up doing it (especially edits)!

Why do you write?

Well, it's actually much, much easier to get published than ever before. There are more publishers now, and bazillions of people who read books.

But this aside, while I enjoy the process of writing, and wouldn't write if I didn't enjoy it, I write primarily for the money.

MissMacchiato · May 27, 2010

do you know, I have been putting this off for years. I let people tell me that it's too hard to get published, or no one ever makes a full time living out of writing, and a host of other lame-ass reasons why I shouldn't bother.

And then I thought to myself, I don't want to die, not having tried to do this. Life is fleeting. I don't want to be lying on a road having been hit by a bus (or whatever), and think, I could have written. Why didn't I at least try? even if I'd failed, I could have said I'd done my best.

So, I'm giving it a go. And it probably sucks. And I probably won't get published. And chances are I will never do this as a living. But I'm still enjoying every minute I get to spend with my characters, and I still feel a powerful drive to do this - and that's reason enough for me

Sassy3421 · May 27, 2010

we all need encouragement

MissMacchiato said:
do you know, I have been putting this off for years. I let people tell me that it's too hard to get published, or no one ever makes a full time living out of writing, and a host of other lame-ass reasons why I shouldn't bother.

And then I thought to myself, I don't want to die, not having tried to do this. Life is fleeting. I don't want to be lying on a road having been hit by a bus (or whatever), and think, I could have written. Why didn't I at least try? even if I'd failed, I could have said I'd done my best.

So, I'm giving it a go. And it probably sucks. And I probably won't get published. And chances are I will never do this as a living. But I'm still enjoying every minute I get to spend with my characters, and I still feel a powerful drive to do this - and that's reason enough for me

Wow! thanks Missy M for sharing that! You're right. It doesn't matter at the end of the day if I have fun doing it!

KTC · May 27, 2010

i love words. they're so slippery and tongue tingling. i groove on them instead of heroin. heroin was nice...but it's for the younger crowd.

underthecity · May 27, 2010

Because I love to. It's also a hobby that I enjoy doing. And although I already have some nonfiction published, I want to write fiction, to entertain. I want to write fiction (or heck, even nonfiction) as a full time job.

If I can continue to generate at least a thousand words a day, I can finish a first draft--theoretically--in sixty days.

Writing would be a great job to do full time. It's something I'm reasonably good at, there's no heavy lifting, no driving through traffic, very little overhead, and I'd get to stay with my baby daughter as she grows up.

Now, all I gotta do is sell my novel and I'll be set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ha!

MissMacchiato · May 27, 2010

you're welcome sassy! I hope it helps

Chris P · May 27, 2010

It is therapeutic for me. I use it to get the fantasies out of my head so I can focus on real life. I once had a doctor try to put me on anti-OCD meds thinking my fantasy factory was a manifestation of OCD. I would stay up all night sometimes rehashing scenes in my head. Writing them down helps.

But I also care about certain things and I want others to care about them too. Maybe that's why I think about them so much. Being published is one way to do that. Of course I have fantasies of hitting it big and living a life of leisure for the rest of my days, but sharing these parts of myself is enough.

Ken · May 27, 2010

... feel like I've got something to say and would like the opportunity to voice it.

MGraybosch · May 27, 2010

Because I can.
Because I choose to.
Because nobody can stop me.

johnnysannie · May 27, 2010

Jamesaritchie said:
But this aside, while I enjoy the process of writing, and wouldn't write if I didn't enjoy it, I write primarily for the money.

Honesty at last! While I love writing - and writing is a huge part of who I am because I've written and made up stories all my life - the money is a major factor.

So my reasons would be:

1.scribo ergo sum
(I write, therefore I am)
2. I like it and I'm good at it
3. the money

kaitiepaige17 · May 27, 2010

Because I have too many story ideas in my head, if I don't get them out my head will explode.

Varthikes · May 27, 2010

Mainly because I enjoy it. And, people who have read my work have enjoyed it. I aim to get published so more people can enjoy my stories.

Why do you write?

Why do you write

To fill a need within yourself - don't really care sometimes if you get published

With the hope of being a published and successful writer?

To make it rich on the NY times best seller list

That's just what I do for fun

Plotting murder..most of the time

I Need Monkeys

Who?

Angry Bunny Girl

A Work in Progress

Who's going for a beer?

Bring on the Sweet, Sweet Coffee

Plotting murder..most of the time

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Finestkind

Bring on the Sweet, Sweet Coffee

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Lunch Break Novelist

Inappropriate smiley INCOMINGGGGGG!

Dragon Writer