Perspective

[heatherannis]

Having been immersed a various projects as of late I can only apologize for not having time, for although I wanted to write I actually have not had time to. Not only that but I feel as though I have not /do not event have time to process what has been going on in my life. Projects that I am glad to be part of have become all consuming to the point

Comments

Because...

[anonymous]

I've generally seen this explanation attributed to writers about writing (most often Stephen King and Harlan Ellison), but I don't think the specific topic matters: the reason to do what you do is because you can't not do it.

Another writer, J. Michael Straczynski, put it well (with a good anecdote to boot):

A true writer -- as opposed to someone who's only in it for the bucks, or who just want the Pointy Hat that says "I sold something" -- can't NOT write. Stories are always unfolding behind your eyes, and the only way to get rid of them is to write them up and send them away.

Case in point...during our first trip to England about 12 years ago, my wife told me, very specifically, "We're not going overseas so you can write. This is a vacation. No writing."

I said sure, no problem...and by the third day there I'd bought a small pen and a pocket-sized spiral notebook in a pharmacists, and was secretly making notes on my next novel (which became OtherSyde) in the bathroom at night.

Just can't *not* do it.

Re: Because...

[heatherannis]

Its interesting how once you become something (a writer, a photographer, artist...) you begin to view everything through this lense. I find myself constantly watching/listening to the world and wondering how I can use it/allow it to inspire my writing and my theatre creation. Even when I'm not literally writing I am preparing to write I am looking for the next chance to write.