Why do you write?

In response to Mary's question, "Why do you write?"

Sometimes I write so that I can better understand myself, my motivations, my desires, my needs, my experiences.

By putting words onto paper (or onto computer screen), I begin to get clarity around things that would otherwise just keep swimming around in my head. I hope that someday my want/need/desire to write will have a more outward purpose, but for now it is a very inward experience for me.

I would love to be able to come up with some great fictional story with a couple of really fascinating characters and write the next great American novel. I just can't even begin to think about what that process would look like. I almost think I'd have to develop a great character first and then ask myself, now what would she be doing? What kind of trouble could she get in? Hoping that the character would lead me to the story. Maybe I need to read more about how other writers do it. Sheesh. Like I have time for that.

TAGS: writing, blogging

Comments

[elkit]

I think you want to do NaNoWriMo this year ...

[Mary]

Yes, what Elke said! NaNoWriMo is great. You write a 50,000 word novel in one month (November). You honestly don't have time to worry about character and plot issues; you just keep writing and... it happens!