Driven to write? How about you? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T08:05:35Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:109914?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A110070&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIt's writing or heavy drugs,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-12:537324:Comment:1237152008-02-12T19:10:18.645ZEric Stonehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/estone888
It's writing or heavy drugs, washed down with a lot of whisky. It just seems like the most natural thing I do after breathing.
It's writing or heavy drugs, washed down with a lot of whisky. It just seems like the most natural thing I do after breathing. I have been there, done that.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-12:537324:Comment:1237122008-02-12T19:03:49.067ZSue Dawsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/SueDawson
I have been there, done that. I taught in high school for over 15 years, sold real estate, worked in libraries (one for over 20 years), and worked in a restaurant in my teen years. I have had "my real jobs" and can now have fun writing because I have money coming in every month.
I have been there, done that. I taught in high school for over 15 years, sold real estate, worked in libraries (one for over 20 years), and worked in a restaurant in my teen years. I have had "my real jobs" and can now have fun writing because I have money coming in every month. Just goes to show how little…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-07:537324:Comment:1118652008-01-07T12:18:07.929ZKen Isaacsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/KJIsaacson
Just goes to show how little I get out--I've only hear ONE person say it!
Just goes to show how little I get out--I've only hear ONE person say it! Ken, I have an awful feeling…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-06:537324:Comment:1116922008-01-06T21:55:43.286ZElizabeth Zelvinhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lizzelvin
Ken, I have an awful feeling everybody says it. It's one of those universal comments writers get--like "get a real job." ;)
Ken, I have an awful feeling everybody says it. It's one of those universal comments writers get--like "get a real job." ;) Great thread! And it actually…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-06:537324:Comment:1114262008-01-06T02:05:21.223ZKen Isaacsonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/KJIsaacson
Great thread! And it actually gives me the chance to pick everyone's brain to find the source of a quote I heard some time ago--though I'm sure I'll mangle the quote. Someone once said something along the lines of "If you CAN stop writing, then you should."<br />
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Ring a bell for anyone? (Either the concept, or the person who said it...)
Great thread! And it actually gives me the chance to pick everyone's brain to find the source of a quote I heard some time ago--though I'm sure I'll mangle the quote. Someone once said something along the lines of "If you CAN stop writing, then you should."<br />
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Ring a bell for anyone? (Either the concept, or the person who said it...) It certainly isn't only ficti…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-03:537324:Comment:1103992008-01-03T14:05:49.311ZElizabeth Zelvinhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lizzelvin
It certainly isn't only fiction for me. I've tended to reinvent myself every so often, and while I've identified myself as a writer ever since I met Emily 55 years ago, I've had long runs as a poet and as a singer/songwriter. I've had the exhilarating experience of making people laugh and cry, as Mari says, in both of those. I sometimes find writing a novel excruciating, because I'm an into-the-mist writer, ie constantly afraid of getting stuck, while the mist--and the process--goes on and on…
It certainly isn't only fiction for me. I've tended to reinvent myself every so often, and while I've identified myself as a writer ever since I met Emily 55 years ago, I've had long runs as a poet and as a singer/songwriter. I've had the exhilarating experience of making people laugh and cry, as Mari says, in both of those. I sometimes find writing a novel excruciating, because I'm an into-the-mist writer, ie constantly afraid of getting stuck, while the mist--and the process--goes on and on and on. A day that goes well feels terrific--but when I come to the end of a terrific day writing a song or poem or short story (a new form for me), I'm <i>done.</i> I envy people who feel driven…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-03:537324:Comment:1103372008-01-03T06:19:13.052ZMari Sloanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Mari
I envy people who feel driven to write. It's HARD work, I'm slow, and a perfectionist, and I read everything I write out loud before I show it to anyone. I suppose i empathize most with the writer in "Throw Momma From the Train" who got stuck on the opening sentence of his novel for so long that his exwife had time to steal, and write, his story. Before I continue a chapter I'm reworking the last chapter to "get in the mood". After a while I'm only changing a word or two, but nothing ever quite…
I envy people who feel driven to write. It's HARD work, I'm slow, and a perfectionist, and I read everything I write out loud before I show it to anyone. I suppose i empathize most with the writer in "Throw Momma From the Train" who got stuck on the opening sentence of his novel for so long that his exwife had time to steal, and write, his story. Before I continue a chapter I'm reworking the last chapter to "get in the mood". After a while I'm only changing a word or two, but nothing ever quite meets expectations. That is a form of torture, you know.<br />
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Given that, why do I keep it up? I love the idea of someone reading what I have written and laughing, or crying, at the same places I did when I wrote it. I can picture the reader laughing at my hitmen when Virgil tells Spike "If we don't get him killed soon, we'll have to give back the money." and Spike responding with "Virgil, hit men don't give refunds. It's the code!" I want to know they feel the same desperate hopelessness Molly feels when first committed to the psychiatric facility, and I want to know that they love and admire my lost boys, and my determined little ghost.<br />
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I mean it when I autograph my books...<br />
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"Without readers, there would BE no writers. Thank you."<br />
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Without readers, I'd never write.<br />
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Picturing someone enjoying what I write makes me not only write but strive to make it perfect. I don't love writing...I love communicating. Writing is just how I do it best.<br />
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:-) Mari I like all the writing I do,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-03:537324:Comment:1103072008-01-03T04:56:49.229ZChrista M. Millerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/christammiller
I like <i>all</i> the writing I do, but only fiction fulfills me. That's not to say the rest of it doesn't help - I think the fiction and nonfiction complement each other nicely, let me examine the language and make my points and edit - but emotionally, I never feel right unless I'm regularly working on fiction. Without that, I do resent the rest of it. There's that pesky balance thing again!
I like <i>all</i> the writing I do, but only fiction fulfills me. That's not to say the rest of it doesn't help - I think the fiction and nonfiction complement each other nicely, let me examine the language and make my points and edit - but emotionally, I never feel right unless I'm regularly working on fiction. Without that, I do resent the rest of it. There's that pesky balance thing again! great topic for a thread. yes…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-03:537324:Comment:1103042008-01-03T04:49:46.208ZJacqui Horwoodhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JacquiHorwood
great topic for a thread. yes, writing is in me. i've always had a pen in my hand. when i was young i was always starting (but never finishing) stories, always creating characters. i always have stories whirling around in my head. if i didn't write them down, i'd be driven crazy by the voices. in response to your other question - i'm like I.J. Parker - only the fiction counts.
great topic for a thread. yes, writing is in me. i've always had a pen in my hand. when i was young i was always starting (but never finishing) stories, always creating characters. i always have stories whirling around in my head. if i didn't write them down, i'd be driven crazy by the voices. in response to your other question - i'm like I.J. Parker - only the fiction counts. It's all writing, and it can…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-02:537324:Comment:1102472008-01-02T23:40:55.615ZJennie Bentley/Bente Gallagherhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JennieB
It's all writing, and it can all help us hone our craft and get better at communicating and expressing. But if our profession is being writers of books, then unless we're writing those books, we're not working on our jobs. IMHO.
It's all writing, and it can all help us hone our craft and get better at communicating and expressing. But if our profession is being writers of books, then unless we're writing those books, we're not working on our jobs. IMHO.