Why Write?

[egeria61]

I've been reading about the emergence of privacy (in letters and journals) and this got me thinking: why do we write?

I find great satisfaction in keeping a journal, but record-keeping is only a small part of that satisfaction.  According to Boswell, his journal was mainly a way of learning more about himself and evaluating himself from a more

Comments

[lullabymoon]

Thinking about it, I don't think writing is all that translucent, stable or objective. Several different people can read the same piece of writing and come away with several different things or the same person can reread something and again come away with something different each time.

I think Boswell has a point about the importance about writing for yourself but as I've really only ever written for myself I may be a bit biased. When I keep a journal, it always seems to be because I need to rant about something or because I enjoy the act of putting pen or pencil to paper (it seems to calm me down) and any fic I write is because it bounces around my head until I write it down.

Ach, too much thought for this late at night. Apologies if this doesn't make sense. Although looking back, this comment could have been shortened to: I agree with what you are saying. Oh well. *shrugs shoulders*

[egeria61]

I know what you mean about "needing to rant," LOL. It's like a mental tick that won't go away until you start writing. And I DO love what you're saying about reader interpretation--the written word can't be monolithic, if we can find so many different ways to interpret it. I'm *squeeing* because it's been a while, and I'm always happy to have your comments. Especially on the subject of "why we write," which is ENDLESSLY fascinating to me. Though, my personal favorite comment you've made on my journal, is the one where I made you dig up your notes on Scottish winter wheat. LOL. *bats eyelashes* :D

[lullabymoon]

LOL I suppose in revenge for making me dig up my notes I could treat you to a comment on the effect of the island of Arran on the agricultural industry around Ayr but I think you might enjoy that too much. LOL :D

Anyway, 'why we write' is fascinating to me as well. As someone who has always written, in one form or another, it amazes me when other people don't like writing. I'm the same with reading as well but my thoughts on that will have to wait for another day as it's once again late at night and I need to sleep. *hugs*

[egeria61]

ZOMGssss!@! Arran? As in, the place where they make my FAVORITE scotch? Please, pretty--pretty please? Dig up more notes! *she commands imperiously* LOL. [You know it's too late when I start referring to myself in the 3rd person.] I really think there's only one way this can end. . . . you've gotta kill me before I start raiding your notes. No, killing me will not be necessary. There's no need for you to unearth any notes for me. I do love that scotch, though. :D

[metatxt]

Is writing any LESS frail and variable than memory?

Good point! Maybe writing isn't so much a means to preserve the way things were because "memory is so frail and variable," so much as a means to preserve our perceptions and subjectivity in the moment.

[egeria61]

I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH! Not that we need reasons, but here they are: 1) You have a Dollhouse icon, 2) you just completed my scattered thoughts. I made this post in a blah kind of mood, you know, not too ambitious. This preserving our perceptions and subjectivity in the moment is interesting, because it DOES give writing an aspect of stability, yet also allows it to be subjective. *hugs you*

Thanks for the oxygen! :D

I'm working backwards on your comments. Dialogue is a beautful thing. Yay! (And a great break from what I've been doing the last 3 days: moving into a new apartment! The new place is fantastic and pretty much ideal, but omgs I'm TIRED!) xoxoxoxo

[metatxt]

*SQUEE* I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH TOO! i hadn't much thought about this until you posted it and then well... I have to confess something:

see this part here because it DOES give writing an aspect of stability, yet also allows it to be subjective

so um - I try and make theory fit what I want it to do. *shhh* don't tell. >.>

congrats on moving! though zomg that is sooo much work. nesting <3 so I kinda embedded a housewarming present... uh ok it's not exactly "warming" and you might've seen it. but it's an awesome Kara/Leoben vid! and they mention the word "house" :P

[egeria61]

Thanks for the housewarming vid! Well, yes, it's not warming, and let's hope my house is happier than Kara/Leoben's (which shouldn't be hard to accomplish). I mean, really. I just have to keep all the steak knives under lock and key, and avoid small children on the stairwell. Very sad that I unpacked everything, then had to leave right away. I headed south to Kentucky, to stay with my grandma for the week while my dad's out of town. Then more hanging out with my dad, and then back to the new apartment for the beginning of the semester. Yikes!

How are you doing after the earthquake? I thought of you when I heard the news!

I try and make theory fit what I want it to do. LOL. So, you're working backwards? (You first reach the conclusion that writing is both subjective and flexible in its stability, and then figure out why.) Ha! That makes me smile.