“If you write, why do you write?” a
friend asked on Facebook yesterday.
It’s a good question, and of course
there are many answers. I found some bubbling to the top of my brain almost
immediately, but not all were very convincing. (“Because I have an important
message for the world that it desperately needs to hear,” yes I’m looking at you. Nor, on reflection, do I really
find the idea of wearing black polo-neck sweaters in a Greenwich Village loft
apartment that attractive.)
Here are the ones that made the cut. Please note that no
other reasons for writing are valid, aside from those given below. (But disagree,
if you must, in the comments.)
- For the money [cue hollow laugh here]. Or at least for the ever-receding prospect
of living by my
penmouse. It could happen – right? - Because I have a story that seems to want telling, and it keeps hammering at my brainpan like a drunk trying to get into a late-night hostel.
- Because I like to see my name printed on the spines of books in bookshops. And in my house. And in other people’s houses. And on billboards, TV screens, cinema posters…
- A shed of one’s one.
- The technical aspects of writing a story are absorbing and satisfying, equally engaging of the heart, mind and spirit.
- Because I combine an inexhaustible interest in other human beings with a wish to spend large parts of every day out of their company.
- As a way to cheat death. I like to imagine that something of myself will survive me, and particularly that my descendants feel some personal connection beyond a name and dates.
- Like C. S. Lewis, I write the kinds of book I would like to read, and want to make sure there are more of them.
- Because there aren’t many jobs where strangers come up and tell you they admire you, and even ask for your autograph. Not that this happens to me very often, but it seems odd that writers should get this kind of treatment, when useful people like plumbers and brain surgeons generally don’t.
- It’s a habit – quite possibly a bad one.
- I’m rubbish at drawing and can’t dance, so writing (along with descant recorder) is my only outlet for self-expression.
- Because the profound satisfaction of having produced a successful story marginally outweighs the profound frustration involved in the production.
- Because it’s show business – for recluses.
15 comments:
"Because I combine an inexhaustible interest in other human beings with a wish to spend large parts of every day out of their company."
So strange. So true.
Absolutely!
I would respond to that question with, 'If you play Candy Crush Saga every morning on the train, WHY do you play Candy Crush Saga every morning on the train?'
I write because it's marginally more worthwhile than playing Candy Crush Saga every morning on the train.
And the other reasons.
Drunk stories and sheds of one's own indeed! Joan picked up on the same striking sentence as I did.
I can't think of any other reasons whatsoever. You've nailed it, Cathy.
But, excuse me: is that your shed??? WOW! That would be reason enough. And I say that as someone also with a lovely shed.
Alas, no, that's only my dream shed! My real one is the home of spiders and rusting bicycles. But one can aspire...
Nick, I've never played Candy Crush Saga - is that the one that looks like Willy Wonka's version of Tetris?
I write because although I usually feel cross when I do, I feel desperate when I don't.
How about it's the only job I'm actually capable of doing, and I have to earn a living somehow? I don't think anyone will pay me just to go on holidays (although they nearly did - I once got to the final interview round for a job as holiday reviewer for Holiday Which? - but even that involved writing the reviews)
Probably number six, but I'm also the type of person who gets genuine pleasure from the fact that the title of the piece doesn't include a superfluous 'why'.
This reason rang the loudest bell for me -
Because I combine an inexhaustible interest in other human beings with a wish to spend large parts of every day out of their company.
Nick. I was'nt trying to be annoying when I asked the question. I woke that morning with the question going round my head and as most if my friends are writers, I asked it.
Farah
I think all these are great reasons, Cathy - but although I find it immensely satisfying producing a story I myself like and even giggle at, and enjoy seeing my name on the cover, and all those other reasons, I couldn't justify doing it if I wasn't being paid at least minimum wage for my efforts. So I think number one is the deal breaker for me. When it stops paying, I will go back to day dreaming, or long walks, or cups of tea in the sun, (or reading!) for my pleasure, and editing other people's writing for my subsistence...
Oh good - because black polo neck sweaters really don't suit me...
I like (and agree with) Nick's Candy Crush Saga comment. I would rather write bad stuff that is at least maybe going to lead to good stuff than ping coloured pixels about a tiny screen.
I love number 6 - you deserve to make it into the quotation books with that one - but actually number 8 is the one I associate with most strongly. I want to write the kind of book I love most to read...
I think you've nailed all the reasons! They're pretty much why I write too, and I have a garden shed that no longer has an internet connection, so there's no excuse not to write...
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