To all authors and writers!

[Bothersome]

So, I wasn't actually sure where to put this thread initially. I couldn't find anywhere specifically dedicated to the discussion of writing, so I guess I'll just put it here for now. It can be moved later if need be.

This is primarily addressed to anyone who has at least a moderate amount of experience with any form of writing; expressing ideas in the form of the written word. However, I'll take input from anyone who has an opinion on the matter, or has experienced it.

Was there ever a day when you woke up and you just wanted to start writing?

I ask this, because up until recently writing has only been a hobby for me. Something to kill time with when I was really, really bored. Of course I enjoyed it, but I had never really... had the urge to put any serious effort into it. No real motivation.

Lately I've been getting a ferocious itch to write. The anxiety I've been feeling over it is fairly overwhelming. Up until now I've done really small-time stuff like fanfiction, which is basically just taking any popular concept such as a book or a movie, and then putting your own spin on it. It's extremely simple, as the original creator already did most of the hard work. You just need to add your own personal touch. I've been wanting to do something of my own recently though, which is an altogether new concept for me.

Anyways, basically what I'm asking is was there ever a period where you suddenly had the urge to write? Or was it something that sort of... always existed?

 

[Bugman]

I can't offer any advice, but here's a quote from a man who knew a thing or two about writing.

There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.
Ernest Hemingway.

 

[Jagermeistered]

From Mark Twain to Bowser:

I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English - it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in. When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them - then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice.
- Letter to D. W. Bowser, 20 March 1880

 

[myth77]

Anyways, basically what I'm asking is was there ever a period where you suddenly had the urge to write? Or was it something that sort of... always existed?

Not sure if I can address the heart of your question, but I suppose I'd have to say yes, in a way, I had my writing desire hit suddenly. The desire to be creative has always existed, but the choosing of which outlet to express it in has always been a bit more sudden. I started messing around with poetry for a couple of years in my teens, and then dropped it. In my early 20's, I just remember having the urge to do something, anything creative. I didn't even know what, I thought I might want to delve into painting or something. But it was the pen and pad sitting on my desk one day that called my attention, and I've been writing fairly consistent ever since (save periods of writer's block). It's a similar type of urge nowadays when I pic up a new art form. One day I had a desire to change writing forms, and wrote my first story on the forum (both story writing, and attempting to write that kind of content was completely new to me, but the urge to create it wouldn't leave until I was finished with it). It was the same sudden desire when I decided to take up photography seriously, then jewelry-making...it just sort of hits me strongly that I really want to get more in-depth with an art form, and I'll do it.

 

[kurchatovium]

There has been several points at wish I wished to write including the present. Mainly Sci Fi stuff. I guess I had so many neat science ideas I wanted to convey them in some sort of vehicle. Not sure how good my writing was or is though.

 

[WorkInProgress]

I'm a writer, both academic and creative. (I'll be glad to be more specific about what I do in PMs.) Just to make sure I understand your opening post, let me ask you this: when you say you have the urge to write, does this mean that you have specific ideas for what to write? Inspirations for specific works? Something writing itself in your head? If so, speaking from experience, I say, you absolutely must obey the inspiration and see where it takes you. Don't even worry about whether this particular thing you're writing now is going to be the work that makes you famous. It has a purpose, and that purpose may be for this work to make it big, or that purpose may be practice to lead to something else. But in any event, go with it. And, whatever genre it is that you're writing, after you have something written, see about being part of a community of writers of that genre. But, don't consult anybody for opinions until after you've let your inspiration do its work. Don't put anybody in a position to kill your inspiration by saying the wrong thing prematurely. Obey the inspiration and let it take you where it will.

 

[Jagermeistered]

May I also suggest a form of prose style that makes you fill fluid and excited. Ideas(whether original or not) - are judged by the prose style that you can successfully execute. In my opinion, that is how most authors become famous. Sure the actual story is the biggest seller, but how you style the story can setup a future fan base(or, comeback readers wanting more).

 

[voided9]

I've had those moments, sometimes lasting for days - the strong urge to write. Occasionally it's something that inspired me, like an experience or an interesting dream, or sometimes it's just random. I'll sit at my laptop and just type, type, type. Other times I know I should write but I just don't want to, haha.

 

[Jagermeistered]

I'm a writer, both academic and creative. (I'll be glad to be more specific about what I do in PMs.) Just to make sure I understand your opening post, let me ask you this: when you say you have the urge to write, does this mean that you have specific ideas for what to write? Inspirations for specific works? Something writing itself in your head? If so, speaking from experience, I say, you absolutely must obey the inspiration and see where it takes you. Don't even worry about whether this particular thing you're writing now is going to be the work that makes you famous. It has a purpose, and that purpose may be for this work to make it big, or that purpose may be practice to lead to something else. But in any event, go with it. And, whatever genre it is that you're writing, after you have something written, see about being part of a community of writers of that genre. But, don't consult anybody for opinions until after you've let your inspiration do its work. Don't put anybody in a position to kill your inspiration by saying the wrong thing prematurely. Obey the inspiration and let it take you where it will.

Also this... 🙂

 

[Bothersome]

I'm a writer, both academic and creative. (I'll be glad to be more specific about what I do in PMs.) Just to make sure I understand your opening post, let me ask you this: when you say you have the urge to write, does this mean that you have specific ideas for what to write? Inspirations for specific works? Something writing itself in your head? If so, speaking from experience, I say, you absolutely must obey the inspiration and see where it takes you. Don't even worry about whether this particular thing you're writing now is going to be the work that makes you famous. It has a purpose, and that purpose may be for this work to make it big, or that purpose may be practice to lead to something else. But in any event, go with it. And, whatever genre it is that you're writing, after you have something written, see about being part of a community of writers of that genre. But, don't consult anybody for opinions until after you've let your inspiration do its work. Don't put anybody in a position to kill your inspiration by saying the wrong thing prematurely. Obey the inspiration and let it take you where it will.

Well, I've always had little bits of inspiration float into my head. Some were bigger than others and I literally couldn't sleep or focus on anything else until I started putting it down into a document.

Lately though, they've just been coming one after another.

And as pathetically shallow as it sounds, a lot of the motivation for my writing, aside from the initial urge, is my willingness to see the reaction from the people who read it. I'm not one of those artists that can just make something and NOT show it to someone until it's finished. For example, one of the writing sites I visit has a chapter-by-chapter review system that allows you to systematically add chapters to your ongoing story, and then have the readers post their reviews as the story develops. I've never written for myself in the sense that I appreciate my own work. I can only write to appreciate how other people appreciate my work, despite how shallow and narcissistic that sounds.

If my story had no readers, I wouldn't be able to finish it. In fact, I'm not even sure I'd be able to start.

And that could very well be an immature stage to writing that people go through, or maybe it's a personality disorder. I honestly don't know.

 

[kurchatovium]

I think any artist whether music, paintings, writing, sculpting, etc. Should do what they do because it pleases them primarily rather then to try to please a target audience. They may not always be so easy if one is trying to make a living off of it but I think an artist needs to like what they do and then I think often others will like it as well.

 

[Bothersome]

Well, it's not so much that I'm trying to please someone else, really.

It's more that I'm trying to appreciate my own work via someone else's opinion of it.

 

[Bohemianne]

It's a spark. Take the opportunity. Whenever you encounter that feeling, write as fast as your mind can and you will be happy with the results.

 

[Bothersome]

Thank you to all that have responded.

My writing is really one of the only things I've ever taken any pride in, so the feedback is really appreciated.

 

[Dandy Jack]

I write mindless BS and whatever comes to mind...

I don't care about anyone or anything...

Remember if everyone likes you or your writing

something is wrong...

Sometimes I quit writing when the check comes....

The biggest piece of trash is called brilliant

And the most brilliant writing is called trash... And may win an academy award!

Let me leave you all with one of my samples writings

You opened the door...

It's on your head now... Hmmmm

Dandy mindless BS Take 1

I have lots of em beware...


How many people will you never see again
And do you care to know why or when
Time passes quickly and yet passes slow at the same time my friend


Life
is a precious wonder
Who knows why it has to begin

What matters the most, doesn't seem like much in the end

In time

The small things seem big and the big things seem small
What’s right is wrong and what’s wrong is right

Who knows
Why the animals are in tune and we are not
Why the Earth revolves and we stand still


Every choice makes a difference
Every sun has to set

Would I still know you if we never met

Is the end near or is there no end
If you can go forward can you go back

How many people will you never see again

Written by Dandy Jack Baby!!!!

 

[Cosmo_ac]

So, I wasn't actually sure where to put this thread initially. I couldn't find anywhere specifically dedicated to the discussion of writing, so I guess I'll just put it here for now. It can be moved later if need be.

This is primarily addressed to anyone who has at least a moderate amount of experience with any form of writing; expressing ideas in the form of the written word. However, I'll take input from anyone who has an opinion on the matter, or has experienced it.

Was there ever a day when you woke up and you just wanted to start writing?

I ask this, because up until recently writing has only been a hobby for me. Something to kill time with when I was really, really bored. Of course I enjoyed it, but I had never really... had the urge to put any serious effort into it. No real motivation.

Lately I've been getting a ferocious itch to write. The anxiety I've been feeling over it is fairly overwhelming. Up until now I've done really small-time stuff like fanfiction, which is basically just taking any popular concept such as a book or a movie, and then putting your own spin on it. It's extremely simple, as the original creator already did most of the hard work. You just need to add your own personal touch. I've been wanting to do something of my own recently though, which is an altogether new concept for me.

Anyways, basically what I'm asking is was there ever a period where you suddenly had the urge to write? Or was it something that sort of... always existed?

I can't say if i've always had the urge to write, but I know i have enjoyed writing in various forms ever since I was a kid. However, like any writer, i have had times where i've been in a more serious mood to write, and other times when I haven't even wanted to type a few words. It comes and goes. My advice, take advantage of the times when you really feel the urge to write. That type of drive is important to make use of, because there will be times later when you wish you had the same drive. Don't let it stagenate and go to waste.

 

[Amnesiac]

Oh sure.

I find that the "itch" to write is usually akin to a natural tendency for people with the knack; the way musicians always hummed or drummed pencils or artists doodled, dancers fidgeting, etc. The rest tends to flow depending on talent and mood, which accounts for the tremendous commonalities and variety you see in the biographies of accomplished people. For myself, I always had ideas or images that I wanted to record so I could recall them, but despite my ability to craft words well, I have no great creative vision: everything I've ever imagined has sources in the creative works of others and my work tends to be my reinterpretation of them into new directions. That's the reason why I haven't written anything in almost 10 years: I keep trying to find the "voice" in which to write it because I don't have my own, and every time I try to write something, I get too obsessed with the accuracy and proofread as I write, which is a fool's errand.

The problem is that my mind works like a Terrence Malick movie. If you watch The Tree of Life, the childhood section is almost exactly how my thinking and memory work, and that non-narrative, free-association emphasis on minutiae is better suited for poetry than prose. And unfortunately, I suck at poetry and have never had the urge to write it.

So in short, I write because I can do it well and because it's the closest way I can get my thoughts into tangible form. But I don't have my own voice.

 

[kurchatovium]

Well, it's not so much that I'm trying to please someone else, really.

It's more that I'm trying to appreciate my own work via someone else's opinion of it.

Do what inspires you. The rest will follow. 🙂 I do my best work when I feel the best about what it is I have done. I hope that makes sense. 🙂

 

[WorkInProgress]

And as pathetically shallow as it sounds, a lot of the motivation for my writing, aside from the initial urge, is my willingness to see the reaction from the people who read it. I'm not one of those artists that can just make something and NOT show it to someone until it's finished...

If my story had no readers, I wouldn't be able to finish it. In fact, I'm not even sure I'd be able to start.

And that could very well be an immature stage to writing that people go through, or maybe it's a personality disorder. I honestly don't know.

No, no, no personality disorder, no immature stage: Important point here, which supersedes my earlier post. This is your process. You must honor what works for you. My suggestion was only based on the idea that hearing an opinion too early in the process might be counterproductive, but if interaction with readers is helpful to you early in the process, then, in the profoundest sense, you know best! You should accept and embrace the legitimacy of any and all parts of your process, because it's your process.

 

[C.A.B.]

Empathy is the best tool to have. Do what you know. If you do not give your readers a reason to become emotionally involved with characters (good or bad) you might as well be carving wood and call yourself George Lucas. Avoid trite like the plague. Writing is merely a function, what you strive for is creativity.

 

[kopfhorer]

...I'm not one of those artists that can just make something and NOT show it to someone until it's finished. For example, one of the writing sites I visit has a chapter-by-chapter review system that allows you to systematically add chapters to your ongoing story, and then have the readers post their reviews as the story develops. ...

Do you mind if I ask which site this is?

If my story had no readers, I wouldn't be able to finish it. In fact, I'm not even sure I'd be able to start.

That's understandable.

And that could very well be an immature stage to writing that people go through, or maybe it's a personality disorder. I honestly don't know.

There is a thin line between creativity and craziness!

On occasion I've had stories slosh around in my head for days, weeks or months, threatening to bust their way out of my cranium until I finally wrote them down. (Lately, that kind of inspiration seems to be in short supply. Gotta get back into it!)

 

[Bohemianne]

^ "Free your mind and your ass will follow!..."

XD

 

[Bothersome]

Do you mind if I ask which site this is?

http://www.fanfiction.net/

 

[jc10113]

I compete nationally for slam poetry and spend most of time either writing or teaching how to develop one's own creative process for poetry. I believe we all have an "itch" to write, but it's up to the individual when they prefer to "scratch" it. I say continue to write, it's a gift that not everyone is bestowed with.

 

[tickledorange]

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and say "OK, I have to write this down". Somehow, I end up with hundreds or thousands of words.