Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Just One Question

WHY THE HECK DID I DECIDE TO BE A WRITER?

Kay, seriously. I want to know the answer. Is it because I'm a masochist? A seriously messed up individual? Lover of all things torturous?

I don't know.

Fine, those are several questions. So how about you just answer this one: Why the heck did YOU decide to be a writer? Because I'm having one of those weeks. You know the ones. Where you completely forget WHY you're doing this and want to walk away. Maybe you can remind me about the good parts.

Please. :)

Watching it go up in flames.


24 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

There are SO many good parts! The moment you finish an MS, and you see it all shiny and perfect. And don't forget that without writing, you wouldn't have met so many awesome writer friends, who completely understand those "Why??" days! :D

Mostly, we write because we have to, and on those horrible, frustrating days, we have to accept them as part of the process. *hugs*

M.J. Fifield said...

I have those weeks a lot, and I have those conversations with myself a lot (the "why do you do this?" talk seems to play on a constant loop), but I do it because (and this may seem over simple) that's what I do.

It's the first thing I think about in the morning, and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep. Sure, it might make me miserable every now and then, but without it, I don't make sense.

Hang in there!

Mark Koopmans said...

Aloha, and I agree with Kyra and M.J., and would only add that it really is the only non-parenting thing that *I* feel I am good at.

Plus, I have this dream of an older lady getting on a city bus one day and from within her battered bag, she pulls a dog-eared copy of one of my books.

Watching her settle in and catch up with the characters *always* gives me butterflies in my tummy.

Talk about wanting a "bucket list" item to come true:)

One day... one day... :)

Have a great Wednesday and as a literary Yoda might say:

Write well you do... continue, you must.... arrrrhhh

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

For me, it just always felt like something I was meant to do. As a kid, I always wanted to be a writer. Sometimes I wanted to be a writer AND a psychologist, or a writer AND an archeologist. But writer was always there, and always first. That's what I think about on the "bad" writing days. :)

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

Michelle D. Argyle said...

I've found the best way to find the answer to this is to quit writing. Like, actually truly 100% quit and move on with your life. I did that for 5 years between 2003 - 2008. Some friends of mine have done it for longer, some for a lot, lot less (like a few months). If you truly want to know, quit and see if you come back ... and why. :)

(I do realize you have a book slated for publication, so that advice might be nil or at least very sticky and tricky. Possibly still doable.)

Michelle D. Argyle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michelle D. Argyle said...

Yeah, you totally inspired me to write a post. I linked to you in it, as well. :)

http://michelledargyle.com/2014/05/07/the-day-i-quit-writing/

Tonja Drecker said...

One little question: Could you ever really stop writing? (That usually says it all ;) )

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Creating new characters and worlds, seeing your work in print, be apart of an exclusive clique that can intrigue real life people with imaginary ones. That no matter what you still worry because you care. You don't worry about things you have no interest in. I say keep writing but you can take breaks. Wishing you all the best Ilima and you can check out Ali Cross's blog post today for some encouragement.

Donna K. Weaver said...

I did it for me, to learn how, to be creative. It's been wonderful and its been horrible. Kind of like being a mother. lol

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I ask myself that every day...
I wanted to be a writer so I could write the stories I wanted to read. Which is ironic as I've never gone back to read any of my books after they were published...

Leigh Covington said...

I don't know if I could answer it ever. I never thought as big as being a writer when I was young. I just liked to write and create things. And as I grew older, people had me write things for them. One day I decided it might be fun (or masochistic) to write my own book! And here I am... working on it!

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

There are a lot of good parts! Getting a fresh new idea and being all excited. Finishing a first draft! And you have some very fun parts coming! Getting a cover! Release day! Those will be awesome. :)

Taffy said...

There are too many stories and characters in my head vying for attention and their story to be told and if I don't write, I will probably explode.

Carrie-Anne said...

I've been writing since I was four years old, as long as I've known how to write, only one year after I learnt how to read. It's just what I've always done, and I believe it's a gift and talent I was given. It's hard for me to relate to writers who started much later in life, since they have such different motivations and backgrounds.

Chrys Fey said...

I decided to be a writer because I love to write. I have to write! I started writing toward publication when I was twelve, so it's very much a part of my life. I think I would go crazy if I wasn't a writer.

I think getting new ideas, creating characters, using my imagination, going places in my writing, and living through my characters balances out the pain of rejections, bad reviews, editing and marketing.

Tammy Theriault said...

Because therapy is expensive. Enough said. Lol. Actually You need never doubt your awesomeness. And if you do, come see me. I won't charge. Love ya sweets!

SK Anthony said...

LOL I suppose because I'm a masochist too!

Sigh . . . yes, that's all I have. I'm having one of those moments too.

S.K.Anthony: IWSG

Kathryn Purdie said...

Wait a minute, what is this week you're having? I mean, I knew you were having a week, but didn't realize writing woes were part of it. Now you have to email me again! ((ginormous squishy hugs))

Jessie Humphries said...

Ditto to what Katie said...

Emily R. King said...

I think so long as a week doesn't turn into more, you'll be fine. You're an awesome writer. Bad weeks make it easier to be humble. Hugs!

Krista McLaughlin said...

Been there.

I think I became a writer because I've always loved stories. I grew up with my dad telling us "Jack and the Beanstalk" almost every night and we'd beg him to do it again and again. He didn't use a book, but told us the story. I wanted to tell stories like that. I've always been a writer. I write because writing is a part of me. :)

Suzanne Furness said...

I know exactly what you mean, but I keep telling myself I'm a writer because it is part of who I am. I couldn't imagine my life without it. Stay strong the feeling will pass I'm sure. Best wishes.

Nicole said...

Hahaha, sometimes I ask myself the same question. The only answer I've ever found is, "Because it's what I am." :)