Ambivalence and writing

[i_ate_my_crusts]

I haven't written any science fiction/fantasy/horror in four years. I've disentangled my identity so that it no longer includes a writerly chunk bound up in it. But I like to write, and I can and have written at novel length before. I'm just wondering if it's worth starting up again

Comments

[callistra]

Should I start writing science fiction/fantasy/horror again?
Does it bring you pleasure? Then yes!

Should I work on my novel?
Does it bring you pleasure? Then yes!

[i_ate_my_crusts]

Lots of things bring me pleasure. But I only have a certain amount of time...

[jbriggs]

I can't comment on any of your fiction because I, sadly, haven't read it. As to being a writer, a friend of mine has never published anything and has written one (short) novel. His .sig says "Author". So IMO if you think you're a writer and don't write much then you're a writer. Walter M. Miller, Jr. was a prolific short story writer in the 50's but wrote very little between 1961 and 1996, yet still is considered a giant among SF writers.

[seawasp]

From my point of view, there are plenty of reasons to write something, but the one that makes you a *writer* as opposed to someone who happens to write is that writing is a part of what you *are*. Time or resource constraints may slow you, even stop you for a while, frustration may halt progress, but you in the end can't imagine not writing.

That said, if you aren't in a position where you'll be paid for the writing, the two real reasons to go ahead are
very simple: (1) You HAVE to write it (it's something you need to say), or (2) It's enough fun to make the time and effort spent worth it.

In terms of the "clean out stuff from your life" bit... No, not really; I haven't, in my view, changed all that much since I was 14; gotten a bit more social and learned new stuff, but I still feel basically the same and can't imagine how I'd go about "cleaning out" stuff from my life inthe sense you appear to mean.

[i_ate_my_crusts]

I'm paid for writing in my day job. It's the fiction side of it that I've found carries baggage for me in the past. I like writing things, but the accoutrements sometimes irritate the fuck out of me.

I think neither 1) nor 2) are true. Writing is something I gravitate to, when time allows, though. Like baking.

[monissaw]

My opinion: if you want to, do it; if you don't, don't; and don't let anyone else tell you what you SHOULD be doing*.

Also, too much crap is attached to this word writer. Just because you stopped doing something, doesn't mean you can't come back to it some later in your life if you want to. It happens.

* Unless a) they're paying you or 2) you're paying them

[i_ate_my_crusts]

I both want to do it, and don't want to. Hence the post.

I'm not letting anyone tell me what I should be doing. I'm flipping a coin to find out what it is I actually want to do. :)

I'm really glad that I pulled out the various strings of my life attached to the word "writer" and disposed of them -- you're absolutely right that there's too much crap attached to it. I write, sometimes. I'm not a writer, and being a writer is not important to me.

[monissaw]

I think you're thinking about it too much :)

It's interesting how we identify ourselves though. I spend a lot of time taking photos and I've easily made much more money from selling photos than writing but I'm not a "photographer".

[applez]

You know, for half the thought you put into this, you could have a couple of chapters written already. ;-p

Actually, if you care to share any of your writing, I'd love to read some.

[jack_ryder]

I do like your writing and I wouldn't mind seeing more of it (and I can't make that claim of everyone I know.)

As for being a "writer" - I don't know what that means as such. You're already a professional writer (i.e. get paid for writing) but considering oneself a "writer" seems to be independent of the process of actually writing or the quality and/or marketability of the end result.

I don't identify with being a "writer" or even a "playwright" as it's just something I do that brings pleasure/entertainment to others outside of myself.

But then my major income source is not writing so maybe that's the distinction I'm making (though being a "writer" shouldn't be dependent on a purely materialist definition.)

No, don't mention it. Glad to be of help.