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 Why do you write?Posted by Cynthia Justlin Sep 18 2012, 12:01 am The answer seems so simple. I write because it makes me happy. I write because I have to. I write because the voices in my head make me. But, lately, as I work on the follow-up book to my romantic thriller, EDGE OF LIGHT, I’ve struggled with this question. Struggled to find the emotional connection to my characters. And when I asked myself, why are you writing this book? The answer that came out was—because it’s what I’m supposed to do.
What I’m supposed to do? I’m the one who proposed the idea of writing a story for a secondary character from Edge of Light. Nobody twisted my arm and told me to write his story. So, why was I suddenly feeling obligated to write a book that I was initially super excited about? I’m sure published authors on deadline can relate to this. You’re writing a story that you’re under contract to write, you know you have to get it done, and the pressure can sometimes take the joy out of your writing. But even unpublished authors can face the challenge of finding an emotional connection to a book that’s falling flat.
So, how do you fix it? For me, I went back to asking myself, why do you write? The answer: I write, not only because I want to entertain people with an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat, thrilling, emotional, romantic read, but also because I want my books to speak to people, to make them think. I want them to come away from my books having learned something about life and love, something that sticks with them long after the last page has been turned. And as I answered that, I could feel the drive to write this book rush back into my heart. But it wasn’t enough, because there’s a follow-up question we should be asking every time we start a book. Why do you have to write this book? I had to think about it for a while. Why do I want to write a book about a hero that can’t remember his past and a heroine that can’t forget? What do I want to say to my readers? And I realized, that this book is about so much more than the hero regaining lost bits of his memory or the heroine struggling to do her job because she’s so emotionally involved. It’s about learning to let go. Learning to forgive. Learning that mistakes of the past don’t have to define what kind of person you are in the future. That’s what I want to say to my readers. So, this is just your friendly author-to-author reminder that sometimes we need to stop what we’re doing and re-examine both why we write and why we have to write the book that’s making us tear our hair out. If we find the emotional connection, we’ll find the drive to tell the story. Why do you write? And what compels you to write the book you’re working on right now? 32 Responses to “Why do you write?”Leave a Reply |
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Loved this author-to-author reminder, Cynthia! I have plenty of frustrating days when nothing I write comes out the way I envision it in my head. Those are the “Do I really need to torture myself like this?” days. But I rarely throw in the towel, because I *have* to write. Not just for money (though that would very nice!), but because I love it. Pure escapism for me! Plus, those voices in my head are terribly bossy, as you understand.
I’m going through those frustrating days right now, hence the blog post!
But, I agree, most of us can’t *not* write. We’re wired to tell stories. Even when it drives us crazy!
I write because it’s a high, pure and simple. I love what I do and although I could do other pleasurable things, writing makes me walk on air. When readers email telling me they love my stories, well, that’s not bad either.
I’m working on a happy holiday story, right now, today, this week, instead of a romantic suspense because I need an escape. I need happy and there are readers who need happy too. Hopefully, my message of happiness and hope comes through and I’ll brighten someone’s day.
Great post, Cyn.
I love that writing is a high for you, Autumn! It can be both a high and a low for me, depending on how the story is flowing. Lately, every word seems like pulling teeth. But it’ll get done, because I’m too stubborn to do otherwise.
So great that you’re working on a fun holiday story! Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to do just that.
Right now, my only answer is, “I wish I knew.” Story ideas foment in my head at a rate that defies getting them all on paper. It’s frustrating. The stories I do write take form like clay on a potter’s wheel; pass after pass after pass. Add a little pressure, reposition a thumb, get the curve elegant and smooth, the edge crisp and clean. And through it all, I fight a thousand things conspiring to absorb the time necessary to mold the lump into something worthwhile. And yet, I persist. Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment. Who knows? Not I. Perhaps it’s time to take those moments, as you say, and reasses, discover what compels me to add another ‘to-do’ to an endless list. I may just find the stories to be the potter while it is I who am the clay.
Gwyn, I love the imagery of the potter and the clay. So beautiful! Sounds like you write because you have stories that need to be told. It’s stressful when you have so much you want to get on paper and no time to do it.
I’m so glad you posted this today! I know we JUST had a similar discussion the other day, but I really need to find these answers for the new book I’m starting. My initial answer is still the same – I write to give the reader an escape. I love grand sweeping passion, high emotional stakes and lots and lots of shoes, and hope I can connect with readers who like the same things.
Now I’m going to go work on why *this* book…because I still don’t know.
And I adore your “grand sweeping passion, high emotional stakes and lots and lots of shoes” stories.
Our discussion inspired this blog post because it was clear that I was stressing myself out over writing this book when I didn’t have to. It’s supposed to be fun! I don’t like it when I’m not having any. 
Having been in the writing business for over 2 decades, it’s clear to me that I write because I can’t NOT write. I write because I developed a love of reading as a child. I write because I love to learn and think that others do, too.I write to explore.
Katherine, those are great reasons to write! What a fabulous take — writing to explore — we can learn so much about life and relationships as we tell our stories. Thanks for sharing and thanks for dropping by the blog!
–> You’re writing a story that you’re under contract to write, you know you have to get it done, and the pressure can sometimes take the joy out of your writing.
This is an issue I’m trying to come to terms with. What used to be my joy and escape has become a job, with all its pros and cons. Thanks for the reminder that we need to keep the joy front and center.
Funny how when we *have* to do something it changes our perspective. It’s a fine line to balance the joy in writing with the job, but I think the key is to always find a way to be invested in the story you’re telling.
I love to write MY stories. If someone asked me to write a story about______ I couldn’t do it. My stories come from inside not outside. It was a long time before I realized everyone didn’t have people in their head talking and sharing what was happening to them. I write to give my head friends a voice to express themselves and so they can be part of the world. Although, I do wish they would quit inviting people over to share. I have a WIP and the heroine recently handed me her ideas for another book. Plus, I have a completely off my normal track book percolating and behind all of this I have a 250,000 words 1st draft written of a 4 or 5 book family saga. Do I sound crazy? I sure feel crazy. I sometimes think I met all these people in a former life or alternate universe.
I agree, the story has to come from inside us. I think I could tell a story someone asked me to write if I had to, but I’d have to find a way to make it my own. I’d have to invite all those voices in my head over for a chat and figure out who would live that story.
Cynthia – Your post is such a perfect place to do a daily affirmation before I put myself in gear today!
Why am I writing today? Cause I have no choice. And not in the artistic way of “I have no choice because this story has to be told and these characters compel me.”
I never thought that I would have this attitude towards writing when I was first starting out. I still enjoy the process, still enjoy figuring out the story, but in truth, I get up in the morning and stay up at night to write because I have no choice. This book is already scheduled for release and there are people waiting for it to be turned in on time so they can make their deadlines as well. But on the tough days, I tell myself that this is what I wanted, what I used to dream of. And I mean it too!….sort of
Maybe this is a good thing. One of my chapter-mates asked me if I was writing and when I gave this answer here, she said she wished she had no choice. I’ve always been a goody two shoes when it came to homework and deadlines, so this may be exactly what it takes for me to keep writing right now.
The grass always looks greener from the other side.
Sometimes published authors wish they could go back to the days when they could write whatever/whenever they want and unpublished wish they had the opportunity to be writing on deadline.
I ask myself, would I still be writing if I didn’t have a deadline? Would I still be writing if I was the only one reading my books? Yeah, I would. But deadlines and contracts and pressure do make it harder to remember what it felt like to write for you and you alone.
Cynthia:
What a great post! I think you have hit on some really key points – the biggest of which is that sometimes the distractions of the business can take away the true joy of sitting down, putting fingers to keyboard or pen to paper and letting the words flow. It’s always a good to stop and remember why we do what we do!
Addison
I’m the queen of distractions! Not only with the business side of things, but with life in general. *Squirrel!* And I’m off and running.
HA! you and I both.
Cynthia, so very, very true! A wonderful reminder of WHY we do this. I’ve wondered a few times, when in the depths of rejection despair, “why do I do this to myself?”. The answer: because the voices don’t stop forever. They may stop for a little while, but somehow they always come back, and within weeks I find myself plotting another book.
But I don’t HAVE to pursue publication. I do that part because I want to share my stories with others, have them feel a little part of the magic of love and making it last. Overcoming obstacles for the joy of being together.
I forget that sometimes, under the pressure of worry. (Right now, worrying if my first edits for my new editor are going to be what she wants. Much nail-biting has occurred.) So thank you for the reminder! Its just what I needed today.
You’re right. We don’t have to pursue publication. And, yet, as storytellers, we have an innate desire to share our stories with the world. I’m sure you nailed your edits for your editor!!!
GREAT post, Cynthia, and very true. We need to find the passion before we can write a truly great book. The title I’m releasing next will be a holiday book, and it needs a prologue on it that I haven’t written yet. I’ve been agonizing about how to start it (first lines always give me an ulcer. Last night, I did pretty what you’re talking about to try to figure it out.
Figuring out how to start is always the hardest part! Every day, just opening the book and figuring out how to get back into the story takes me forever. Once I’m there, the words start getting easier.
Great post, Cynthia. I can totally relate. The book I’m writing now is the last of a series and as much as I love the characters, there are days it feels like an obligation book. Thanks for the reminder.
You’re welcome!
This is why I haven’t tried writing a series with connected characters yet…I’m just not sure I’d be able to keep my enthusiasm up across a bunch of books. I’m in awe that you can!
What a great post, Cynthia! I think you nailed it with this:
What do I want to say to my readers?
I have to stop and ask this myself. And anytime a deadline is killing me or I’m really struggling, I have to stop and way, “Wait a minute. I have a deadline! Something I’ve wanted for years. Decades! What the heck am I complaining about?” Then I sober up and get my butt back in the chair. I love my job.
“What the heck am I complaining about?”
So true! We get to tell stories for a living! You know, today I had to fill out a form and there was a space for occupation. Normally, I’ve always left that blank…I stay at home, I didn’t feel like I had an occupation…but today, for the first time, I wrote ‘author’ in that space. It was a great feeling. Weird, but great!
Hurray, Cynthia, for claiming the title!!! You deserve it!
Great post!
That makes today a momentous day, Cynthia. CONGRATS on owning (and making public) your identity as an author. Whoo-hoo!
I think sometimes writing feels like a job to me more than an art, more than something I love. Which feels crappy, but I own it anyway because it is a job. That being said, I still find such joy in a scene. Sometimes I’m so pleased with my words that I have to share it. Usually with my mom who quickly finds something to do at her own desk. Lol. Even so, I love that feeling – that “this is so awesome I have to tell somebody” feeling.
Though currently I’m at the “this book is garbage” stage. I’m on Chapter 19 and hate everything about it. The good news is after it goes away to the editor for a while, I’ll love it again.
Great topic, Cynthia! Gotta remember the joy to bear the pain. It’s like childbirth, right?
Mmm..helpful post, Cynthia. My question as I started my current project was a little different. I was working on developing my characters and my handling of emotion, so I asked, “What characters would have emotions so huge that even I, with my grand tendency to avoid writing all emotions, would have to acknowledge those feelings?”
Hence a PTSD hero and a heroine with a kidnapping and near-rape in her past. Emotional baggage? You betcha.
But now that I’m nearing the end of the writing process for this book, your question comes at a good time: what do I want to say to readers through this book? I’ve got some ideas, but they’re not as crystal clear as I’d like yet. Thanks for getting me thinking!
Cynthia, this a great post. Earlier in the week, I’d gone back to the basics with my current story. I started asking myself the tough questions about my heroine and hero. By doing that, it made me remember why I wanted to write this story.
As for writing in general, I write because I love to make up stories. It’s a freeing passion that enables me to control the destiny of characters who otherwise would just wander aimlessly in my head. I write because I want my characters to speak out and be heard. And, when I’m published, I hope my books will make my readers laugh, cry, and hate to read “THE END”. And, that’s why I write.
Thank you, Cynthia, for make me realize this all over again.