I've been working through some really deep personal stuff. I share this only because it makes me think of what is important in my life. I've realized that writing, creating, is actually pretty important to me. Okay, so yes, that should be a given. But I'm talking meaning of life stuff. And when it comes to that depth of scary self-examination... well, it is somewhat surprising that writing would have a place.
To me, writing means a few things:
1) Escape. Both for myself and hopefully for anyone who reads my work.
2) Expression. Putting all that fear/pain/joy/laughter/tears/wonder/mystery that is life onto the page to be examined, pulled apart, maybe moulded into a happy ending, when happy endings are not guaranteed here in real life. (Just teared up a bit there.)
What does writing mean to you? What do you think it says about your place in the world or your contribution to society?
I read a quote somewhere that said that all writers write to escape death. To leave behind something immortal. That starts a panic in my chest. But I don't think it's far from the truth really. How about you?
Also, this weekend's freebie is Moonlight Calls, Book #1 in the Demon's Call trilogy. It's free over at Amazon Saturday only. And if you don't have a kindle, the free app is available for just about any device here.
When I was about 14 I decided that the meaning of life was to be remembered. (In hindsight, I was quite a deep child.) That's partly why I write; but partly I can't explain it. It's like you asked me 'Why do you breathe?' or 'Why do you eat?'. The answer is: I have to. I would happily give up most things to write, apart from my kids.
ReplyDeleteI started writing as an escape, but now I do it because I need to. :)
ReplyDeleteRats, I missed the freebie. :-(
ReplyDeleteWriting, to me, is like sex. I expounded on this at length on my blog some time ago. To summarize: "Like sex, the pleasure of writing doesn't spring from some flawless ideal; it comes from the sweaty physical contact, the stumbling engagement with the moment, and the breathtaking twists that come along the way to shake, rattle, and roll you."
Writing is hot. It's wish-fulfillment. It's the deepest, yet safest, intimacy. It's exhausting. It's the grooviest. I don't feel like I *have* to write, I feel like I *love* to. I don't know that I care about posterity, exactly, though I do have a morbid fear of death. (I get what I call death-panics, now and again. Those suck.) Since I write to please myself, I guess my writing is the self-stroking of my own ego. (Well, ain't nobody else strokin' it...) ;-)
Some Dark Romantic
Love it Mina!
DeleteLove it Mina!
DeleteI like this post. :) I just found your blog, and I like it already because I can relate. =D One of the reasons I write is because I like to make people think. If I can put my characters in situations that make the reader themselves think about what they would do if they were in the situation, I feel like it gives my book purpose. I want to be able to create characters that readers can relate to, and like you said, escape to by reading.
ReplyDelete