Sunday, May 19, 2013

I don't write because I'll die if I don't.

It seems that one hundred percent of those I’ve seen blog about why they love to write say the same thing: “I have to write. I just love it, so I do.” Or they pin a relating quote. But . . . what if I’m not that way?

I don’t write because I’ll die if I do not. I don’t write necessarily because I love it—because I don’t a lot of the time. When I find the correct adjective, the perfect noun, the strongest verb, and mold that into a sentence—and then into a paragraph full of like sentences—that makes me happy. The flow of the perfect paragraph makes me happy. But so often I can’t achieve that without constantly changing what I just wrote, which would be too time-consuming and would end up in no man’s land.

I write because I have the novel in me that must come out. I write because I want to have this story somewhere else than in my mind. I write because I love my characters and what happens to them. I write because I want to read this book someday.

But I think about what will happen when I finish this book. Will I ever sit down to write a novel again? Will fairy tale retellings be enough for me? Or will I confine myself to college essays, letters, and e-mailing, like the rest of the world?

10 comments:

  1. I've never tried writing a book, but I do write poetry occasionally. I'd agree completely with this post! I don't have to write. It's just every now and again inspiration comes and it must be written down. And sometimes even then it's not fun. Sometimes it's kinda hard, as in when I'm trying to write my annual Christmas poem. It's also tons of work! It doesn't always flow, but some days it does. And it's all okay!

    So, I won't die if I don't write either. But I also know that if I have a poem being written in my head, I need to write it down or else I'll forget it and regret that later. :)

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    1. I admire you poets! I have such a hard time with poetry, and coming across a poet is rare, whereas coming across a novel-writer is not.

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  2. I like this musing. Good thoughts. :)

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  3. Don't ever quit! Continue to develop your skills in this area, and I'm certain you will be happy all along the way.

    A good writer is a rarity these days.

    Sam

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    1. No kidding! Thanks for your encouragement, Sam :)

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  4. *Claps* Yay, someone understands how I feel! Well done. :D

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    1. Great! Um, I'm not entirely sure who you are, so could you please leave your name next time? Though you don't sound like a spam comment, spammers almost never leave their names, so. . . . Sorry about that :( If you don't want your real name public, you can choose a fake name!

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    2. Oops - totally sorry, Hannah! I meant to put my name. Don't know why I didn't.

      Rebecca

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    3. It's fine. I thought it might be you ;)

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