Why We Write and the Books we Collect
Posted by Chuck Grantham on June 23, 2008
There was a time when I was going to be a fiction writer. During this phase, I read a lot of “how to write” books, and in them there were almost always discussions of why people wrote.
I here reproduce my memories of the most vivid reasons:
“I write because I hate. A lot. hard.”
“No one but a fool ever wrote anything except for money.”
“I write because I cannot not write.”
I imagine these apply to blogging as well. Except the one about money. No one has paid me a penny for blogging yet. How about you?
For a lot of bloggers I imagine a corollary reason applies: “I write because I love my topic. A lot. Deeply.”
That seems to explain nonfiction writers quite well.
In case you are wondering, I wanted to write science fiction, followed later by thrillers. I still have a lot of my thriller reference books, so if you ever see my bookcases and wonder at “How to Kill Your Whole Neighborhood with Your Thumb” and “Home-made High Explosives for $9.99″ sitting alongside my biblical commentaries, there’s your explanation.
These days I guess it would be “How to Kill an Army with the Jawbone of an Ass”.
draabe said
Hilarious! It’s my understanding that we write because we have to…you know, like breathing.
B.K. Wright said
I write because I feel that my own life experiences may help someone else with their own. I incorporate much of what I have experienced in my own life into my books. http://www.beautobeau.com features these books.
Nick Norelli said
I write because no one listens when I talk.
Plus the review books ain’t bad either.
nephos said
My motive for writing is completely selfish. I write to quiet the voices in my head.
Nathan Stitt said
i write because i need all the help i can get
nephos said
I just reread my comment and realized how insane that makes me sound. Perhaps I could clarify by saying, “I write to unclutter the thoughts accumulating in my mind.”
Nick Norelli said
Nephos: Which voice told you to rephrase your comment?
Chuck Grantham said
Draabe: That’s the real reason. As another writer said (Fran Leibowitz?) “I hate writing and will do anything to avoid it. The only way I could write less is if I were dead.” Makes you wonder how said writer supported themselves with writing.
B.K.: Sharing with others to help is a noble reason to write. It is the primary reason behind my Sunday School notes.
Nick: Did you say something? I don’t understand you when you don’t use Scooby speech.
Nathan: Umm, has anyone suggested the Net might NOT be the best place for expert advice? Have you heard of… Wikipedia?
Chuck Grantham said
Nephos,
I glanced at your site and don’t find you multiple personalitied at all. Good choice of templates.;-)
I like your blog and will be popping by to read. Thanks for the comment.
nephos said
Nick, the one with the thick Scottish brogue. (He’s often drowned out by the one that laughs like Woody Woodpecker.)
Chuck, thanks – my wife will be relieved.
Come by anytime. I added you to my bloglines some time back, and have been enjoying reading your posts.
Roger Mugs said
i want to know how to “How to Kill an Army with the Jawbone of an Ass”. – this could so be in one of those -worst case scenario – books
Chuck Grantham said
Roger: I think being empowered by the spirit of God is required:
Jdg 15:14-15 NET. When he arrived in Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they approached him. But the LORD’s spirit empowered him. The ropes around his arms were like flax dissolving in fire, and they melted away from his hands. (15) He happened to see a solid jawbone of a donkey. He grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.
Beats bringing a temple down on yourself and your enemies.