Why Do People Write?

[smudge]

I was wondering today, as I wandered the streets with my Kebab House leaflets, why do people write? Books, stories, poetry. The people on here I mean. The people who write are of different age groups, gender and sexuality, so come on `fess up. What makes you write?

[ravenscross]

Great question!

I write because, if I didn't the little git in there would crawl out and take over my world. It's a way of relaxing, by creating a new world for my characters to walk amongst. It's a way of putting some feelings I have down on paper and hopefully, its a way out of IT!

[Sammo]

If I didn't write down all these thoughts and ideas in my head I'm pretty sure I'd end up just a little bit crazy.  Or maybe I already am crazy?  

[Nubs]

I concur with Sammons, as I feel the same way! 

Apart from the fact that I was pretty good at reading from an early age, and learning English language and literature; I think that when I really got into reading sci-fi and horror stories in the 70's, it piqued the creative area of my mind, and I played about with writing short stories while at school.
  My hyperactive imagination has grown ever worse over the years, and I come up with far too many ideas, especially where my Holmes plays are concerned.  Apaprt from the 6 completed ones, I now have 179 other plotlines to play with!!

Should keep me busy!  And that's without the multitude of novels and filmscripts I have tucked away to work on!

In a way Smudge, I think that those of us BTZers who write, enjoy it because it gives us a route to escape from 'reality' and the day-to-day routine that sometimes drives us round the twist!  Plus, it gives those of us who enjoy writing, a chance to show others what we're made of!

With me it's pure farcical lunacy!   

[Sammo]

Smudge - I gotta ask, what's the new avatar?

[betty]

I think it's because I have all these ideas crowding my mind and if I didn't write them down and am well get confused between fact and fiction

[norby]

The new avatar looks like Mini-me with someone's head on him-is that you Smudge?

I don't know if I've mentioned it here but I do write the occasional poem.  I say occasional because I really have to be in the right frame of mind for it.  Often it's when I'm not feeling well i.e. I'm feeling depressed or especially sad or angry about something.

When I start feeling depressed all these thoughts and emotions just start swirling around in my head and it's very difficult to get rid of them, so about a year ago I started writing them down.  I've also written a few that are about other things-my great-grandmother's farm, Ireland, some other stuff.  I don't know that any of them are worth anything, but I kind of enjoy getting the words out, especially when I'm feeling really low and just need the release.

[smudge]

Jack Bauer 2` 4". Damn it Chloe, the shits shrunk me.

[chelbel]

I like making up stories, always have done!  It's mine and no one elses.  Three people have seen my writing.  So i think it's a selfish thing with me. And i'm a dreamer...

[tzara]

My love of writing started at a very early age and has become a part of my psyche. I love the feeling of freedom when I begin to create a whole new world, and it gets more exciting when the characters start doing their own thing...I become their slave!!

Even when I'm not physically writing, I'm constantly writing in my head all of the time. People, places and the power of the written word ...exhilarating. 

[chelbel]

My love of writing started at a very early age and has become a part of my psyche. I love the feeling of freedom when I begin to create a whole new world, and it gets more exciting when the characters start doing their own thing...I become their slave!!

Even when I'm not physically writing, I'm constantly writing in my head all of the time. People, places and the power of the written word ...exhilarating. 

What a lovely description!

[smudge]

Thanks everyone for answering. You have told me all I needed to know.

[ChrisH]

The love of STORYTELLING. Weaving yarns to hopefully give pleasure and entertain, just as the works of fiction of others - books, films, TV, theatre - have, and continue to do so for me.

That just about sums it up for me. Simple.

[Rock chick]

Thanks everyone for answering. You have told me all I needed to know.

I think you knew already, hon.

[smudge]

No, RC. I just wondered whether given the `lust for glory` some writers have, the willingness to play hardball and blind ambition to succeed at the expense of standing on people`s toes to achieve it, was the factor it seems to be in the case of some writers.
  Of course none of us are bothered about being published and being `rich`. The art is the thing. I know that to be genuinely the case for some and they have shown that. Writing is good for release and wonderfully cathartic. I just hoped someone would put their head above the parapet and admit to a `lust for glory and wealth`.
  I have a lust for vindication. That is all, but I`d never step on someone or lie to get further in the jog for success.