Is writing fun? Going by the 7 authors asked by The Guardian UK whether or not they enjoy writing, not so much most of the time. (via kottke) Says AL Kennedy:
I wouldn’t be the first writer to point out that doing something so deeply personal does become less jolly when you have to keep on at it, day after cash-generating day. To use a not ridiculous analogy: Sex = nice thing. Sex For Cash = probably less fun, perhaps morally uncomfy and psychologically unwise.
I think this is the problem I’m having with blogging lately. But I enjoyed reading Joyce Carol Oates’ response the most:
Given that the act of writing provokes such misery, why do you do it? – here is the writer’s perennial riddle…. it’s likely that writing is a conscious variant of a deep-motivated unconscious activity, like dreaming. Why do we dream? No one seems to really know, just as no one seems to really know why we crave stories, even or especially stories we know to be fiction.”
That Guardian article was precipitated by Colm Toíbín’s assertion that nothing about writing brings him joy — except the money. He basically seems to equate pleasure derived from writing with narcissism, and the pleasure derived from literary fame with neurosis, neither of which he approves of — which makes me wonder if the guy’s just a depressive against pleasure, and really wouldn’t allow himself to enjoy anything he does, whether it’s writing or not.
Writers are a depressing bunch, no? I too daydream about doing other stuff — usually somewhat mechanical jobs that don’t require much thought, like shelving library books or sorting files — but I think after a month or so I’d come to resent those jobs — or any other job — a lot more than whatever reluctance I feel about writing at any given moment. Maybe writing just attracts people who just don’t feel as much enjoyment in life in general —
I liken my blogging/writing to working out — sometimes I dread it, but I’m always glad after the exercise’s complete and see my results (well, more obvious with writing than the workout)
Comment by H.C. — March 5, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
After 20+ years of making my living by stringing words together, I find my enjoyment depends greatly on how involved I am in the subject matter. If it’s something I find interesting or care about, it’s play; if I’m trying to find yet another way to describe the same thing I’ve already written about too many times before, it’s pure tedium.
My best suggestion is to surround yourself with distractions, and get out frequently. I usually work with music on or the TV going in the background to break up the isolation. I also make a point to spend at least part of my day on my bike, at the gym, taking a walk or just sitting and reading somewhere. And give yourself permission to spend time writing something you want to write, for no other reason than you want to.
Comment by bikinginla — March 5, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
This is a conundrum. Writing a post nearly always feels like sweating blood. Only my totally weird stream of consciousness posts are fun. And usually, those are the ones that get the most comments. What does that say? But I can’t do those posts all the time because I have information to share. It kinda sucks. But I really can’t imagine stopping.
Comment by Beth Terry — March 5, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
I feel pretty similarly about art when someone asks me to do something specific for a project or money. It’s stresses me out and becomes a burden in a way that art projects I work on out of my own choice never do. I end up compartmentalizing my life in that respect though. My job is extremely technical, while much of what I do outside of work is experimenting and being creative. It seems to make my brain happy enough.
Comment by M — March 6, 2009 @ 6:23 am
Oh that dreaded 4 letter word: WORK! Sometimes just knowing it’s something you have to do takes all the fun and spontaneity out of writing. For me it’s a mood thing, like when I’m feeling inspired to write about something, I can write pretty much an entire song in one sitting, then go back later to edit. Songwriters in Nashville make “writing appointments” throughout the day to come up with hits. Hits on demand, as it were. I was never very good with that style of creativity! Imagine having to come up with words and MUSIC TOO!
Comment by Trudee — March 6, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
Writing needs a lot of passion some people writes about their inspirations some writes about their experiences some essay writer writes because of the job but the mos important of all you write because of passion because you love doing it.
Comment by Essay Writing Boy — March 7, 2009 @ 1:58 am