I've realized that just as no two writers write the same, no two writers write for the same reason.
Some of the groups I'm in are all writers-aka non-genre specific. So I see many of the "meaningful writers" on some of these groups, authors who write to make an impact, to change the way people feel about something, or express a deep secret of the human condition. They write heavier works with great depth.
Even though I hold a Master's degree in psychology, I'm not one of those.
Some writers are more business oriented. They love to write, but to be honest, the bottom line is more important. "Don't write the book of your heart, write what will sell." It's numbers and building a business for them.
Even though I deal with numbers all day during my day job, I'm not one of those.
Some writers are story tellers. They just love to find out what is going to happen to these made up people in their made up worlds just as much as any story they read--only in this case, if they don't write it, there won't be a story.
This is the type of writer I am. I am interested in the human condition, obviously, but I use it more as an accent for my stories, "What would someone feel if this happened to them?". Writing is a business for me, but the business aspect is second to the heart of it. I decided to go Indie after years of "Loved it, BUT--" rejections so I COULD get the stories of my heart out--not so I could become rich. Would I love to make enough to support myself without my day job? Of course I would. But it's a difficult road for any writer, and if I were writing stories that didn't speak to me--I'd stop within a few weeks.
I'm posting this for the other writers and creative folks out there. There are different paths for each person. And along the way other folks might try to nudge you to their side, to become like them and share their path.
Think long and hard before you do that--make sure it's where your heart is. There are no wrong paths, just paths that might not be the best for you.
Interesting analysis, Marie. One of my favorite authors says that she writes "to give someone a good time on a bad day" which I think is a noble cause.
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Thank you, Sorchia. I love that quote--it's a very noble cause.
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Great post, Marie!
ReplyDeleteI just finished my tenth book the other day so right now, is a good time to pause and reflect. I definitely write to entertain—hopefully to enthrall. When readers tell me they couldn't put the book down, or loved the characters, I always feel, like—mission accomplished!
I also write to enrich, but not in a preachy way. Since all my characters are flawed, I love to show them stumble. How they pick themselves up is part of the fun/work of writing their story. The part I love best, which can also be difficult, is when I have to reach deep to get them through a particular emotional problem.
In the case of an antagonist, to show how impossible it is for this character to grow. How trapped they are in their anger or rage. I love, love, love a villain that a reader can (almost) root for, and those characters are such a blast to write—worth all the blood, sweat and tears!
Thank you, Jillian!Very insightful into your writing mojo :). Thank you for coming by!
DeleteThoughtful post, so well written. As for this writer, first a mom,then spreading my wings to become an actor in the big talented pool in NYC on daytime drama, then movie bit parts,what fun in that sweet time. Toward the end of a long run Off-Broadway, my good voice failed. No voice ended my career as an actor. I give you my background because creative juices flowed and I wrote my first book and haven't stopped since. Vanilla Heart answered my query with a positive response. I cried. Me with the lost voice found another in writing.
ReplyDeleteSo thanks for the opportunity to reveal my story. 26 books and still having fun telling stories of romance, suspense, mature love, and often therapy dogs.
That is a lovely story! It is wonderful to know that your voice found a new way to come forth. Thank you for coming by!
DeleteI'm totally character driven. I dont even make them up, they appear in my head, and proceed to make demands by taking over my brainspace and nagging until I write their stories. Usually when I'm in the middle of another story *snickers* and they can get so insistent I might have to take a day off to just scribble out part of a scene to make them happy enough to back off and wait their turn so I can get back to my WIP. Of course I do a lot of characterization work, but it's more like a voyage of discovery for each character, rather than making something up. Hard to explain and yes it does sound a little MPD, LOL! So far they haven't told me to do anything more dangerous than write their stories, however, so I think we're okay ;) The business part for me... well. See, I fall a little bit in love with my characters, and their stories. I'm totally invested in them. Yes, I do want to be published... the better to share. It's not about money at all... not that I'm averse to making it, mind you ;) But honestly the bottomline for me is to get those characters' stories out in the world where others can read them. And that's why I want to be published with a traditional publisher... more coverage! But I"m also not as young as I used to be, and I've set a time limit on how long I'm going to go with the submissions process before looking for a small press or even just do it myself on Kindle & Createspace.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your writer way :). You'll find a way to get those stories out there!
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Love the post, Marie. It made me think about what drives me to write. Seems it's the puzzle solver in me that pushes me to write. To take all these pieces - characters, plot, dialogue, language, theme, and emotion - and put them together in a way that makes sense and is uniquely mine. Like Allie, I'm uncertain which path I should take to get my work out to the public, but the time is coming to solve that puzzle, too.
ReplyDeleteOOOO- I like the puzzle solver idea! Writing is a lot like that. And I know you'll find a way to get those stories out there- you will do it!!
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I write because ideas for stories keep coming and characters keep talking to me. I write because the stories would still be there even if I didn't write, but when I put them in a readable form, I can share them with others. I write because I find writing keeps my mind active...and I love being around other writers who have the same affliction.
ReplyDeleteVery well put! :)
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I write because I have fun making stuff up. I revise and restructure and polish because I want the reader to feel the same way. Will it work out that way? Only time will tell.
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