On The Joys of Writing
There’s an interesting discussion going on at The Wild Rose Press and I just thought I’d post some of it here. Feel free to discuss further in the comments.
Phil Jackson once said, “Winning is important to me, but what brings me real joy is the experience of being fully engaged in whatever I’m doing.” Now he may have been talking about sports, but it seems to fit for reading and writing as well. I discovered somewhere along the line that while I write to sell and with the hopes that many will read my work, I also write because of the real joy it gives me. How about you? Is it the joy that brings you back to the written page day after day?
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For me, I’ve been writing since I was a little girl. Making up stories, putting on plays, living in a world of my own making. I can’t imagine not writing. It keeps me sane, is my place to escape and these people talk in my head until I get them on the page. Shopping, gardening, cleaning, sleeping; they are there and I can’t do anything else but bring them to life. Didn’t someone once say it’s a bit of madness, writing? Maybe so, but it gives me such joy and purpose, and if no one ever read my stories I’d still write. It’s been a frustrating ride to becoming published, but an exciting one too. And some wonderful people have given me great critique and encouragement. I wish the whole world could feel about their lives the way I feel about my characters.
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Y’all are going to cringe from my seriously UNromantic take on this, but here we go anyway: Some days, it’s the joy of writing. The joy of writing is what got me into it in the first place. BUT what keeps me coming back day after day (or, you know, every few days… heh) is commitment. Warm squishies will only get you so far.
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What brings me back to writing is not joy, but curiosity. Once a story is born, I must know its ending. That drives me to complete the process. Since I’m a ‘pantser’ I never exactly know what will transpire before I actually write it. It’s like a treasure hunt for me. Exciting, titillating, frustrating, but always fulfilling.
Lynda Coker
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What do you think? What makes you keep putting your butt in the chair?
