Questioning Why To Be A Writer?
Writing requires discipline and is difficult at times. It’s one of the most isolated professions in the world. You can write and write, but there’s no guarantee that you will be recognized (published) or paid for your efforts. So why be a writer?
Some say they just want to be creative. Well that’s all fine and dandy, but what’s the point if you don’t share with others and be recognized for it?
Self satisfaction? Sure. I feel great after I finish a piece that I believe has some clout. There are also a million ways to be creative, such as drawing, painting, cooking, organizing, hell you can be creative cleaning the bathroom, so why a writer?
Some say money and of course everyone could write a novel. Whether it’s good or not is another long story, so lets get back to why it is you want to be a writer? Money? Well when you look at the bestsellers lists you might recognize some great names, King, Grisham, Clancy but you don’t recognize all of them. Which in all honesty tells you what? That there isn’t many successfully paid writers such as these. They too were once in your position, asking the questions of why, and wondering whether to give up and move on.
Some say the reason they want to be a writer is for fame. Fame? Not many writers are famous. Take Stephen King for instance, great writer right? Of course he is, I mean his books have been made into movies. King is a private man because he knows that having his face in front of a camera is not the reason he wanted to be a writer. Could you concentrate with numerous phone calls, constant stalking, camera flashes through your windows as you open the curtains to your office to let in a little inspirational natural lighting?
Most of those who want to be writers don’t realize the difficulty involved. The hours of solidarity, research, and writing. The horrific hours of editing the words you once thought were sunshine have turned to rain. Being rich doesn’t make you happy, and fame doesn’t last forever. So we are back to the question of why do you want to be a writer?
For me it’s truly a simple answer. One that I didn’t arrive at easily but I arrived at never the less. I have to be! It’s a simple answer that opens up the door to more complex questions but it’s the only acceptable answer as to why I, myself want to be a writer. So my next question has arrived and nags at my soul. Why?
I knew I had to be a writer but why? There is always the deep creative, emotional pull from within myself telling me to put my thoughts on paper. Something inside insists that I must be a writer. A hour a day, a chapter on lunch break at work, a few sentences while waiting for dinner to cook, whatever it takes to get them down because if I don’t the uneasiness doesn’t allow me to rest. I’ve come to the conclusion that the gnawing at my soul needs to be released, that is why I write.
Everybody is different right? So my next question is what makes my writing different from everyone else’s writing? Now it’s a matter of knowing your craft. Letters to words, words to sentences, sentences in order and punctuation added. Sounds simple right? Oh no, there’s so much more to writing. When you think of the famous writers that most strive to be like, they all have their own unique theme, tone, setting, attitude and so do you. You just have to dive deep into the soul within you and notice the subtle hints you receive from your secrets, fears, fantasies, and then put them on paper. After writing and reading over what you’ve written you might just find your own tone or attitude. Writing can start with a dream, a whim, or a sudden burst of inspiration but where you take it is up to you. Writing like so many other creative things needs to be honed. Once you mature through the years you will find a flow, and writing will become second nature to you. The ache in your soul never goes away. If you have to be a writer then that passion will allow you to create until the end of your existence. You just have to know how to trigger your inspiration when it’s lying dormant.
Recently I was thinking about something that came up in a forum. The title of the thread was “Creativity or Replication” and the question asked was “Do you feel that you are creating or are you simply replicating or reassembling things you have read from other writers?” This is a great question and I was thinking about it and if it pertains to my work. Most of my earliest poetry was immature, and suicide related. I was dwelling on what was in front of me, and not on my inner reality. In my early twenties my work began to evolve as I was learning slowly but gracefully how to look a little deeper. Every now and then I want to go back to that immature writing to get away from my present reality. It’s ok as long as I realize that it’s not all of me, that whatever comes from my pencil during those times will be mediocre and there is no point in doing something unless you’re going to give your all.
Back to the question of creativity versus replication, I’m sure you’ve seen two stories or poems that are so similar that one makes you think of the other. In fact those two authors probably thought at the time that they were writing best sellers, that they were unique and original. Were they looking deep? You will never know about those other writers but if you as a writer look deep enough then your soul will give you a story all your own.
If you have to be a writer, you must pay attention to your soul, develop your craft and you will not be a duplicator but an originator. Although it would be great, you still are not guaranteed to be a success. You had to be a writer and when all is said and done, it’s only when you’ve given into that part of your soul that you are able to say, “I’m a writer” and it was all for the satisfaction of creation.
