Hmmmm, that is an interesting question. Why do I write? We all do it for different reasons. It sure isn't for money because I have yet to publish and I know it will take lots and lots of time before I make any money off my books, if any at all. And we all have our own take on what drives us to write. Yet, I do it everyday and I enjoy it. So, I'd like to share what drives me.
I WRITE BECAUSE I CAN CREATE
I love listening to a song and just imagining a moment. Example: I was listening to Missy Higgins song Secret (which I L.O.V.E., by the way, you should go listen to it) and I couldn't help but let my mind drift. I imagined a couple meeting in a small town. They find they have a lot in common and before they know it, they fall in love. When she finds out he's running from something and has a sinister past that comes back to haunt him, it's too late for her to get out. She's in too deep. Before she knows it she's involved in things she'd never dreamed of; a cover up, a scandal, and a murder that wasn't supposed to happen. The guitar pinging in the background of the song flashes images of gunfire, car chases, running and darkness surrounding them as they bury a body in the woods.
You've got a secret...don't cha babe?
See what happened there? Go listen to it...tell me what the song tells you.
I WRITE BECAUSE I GET TO CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS
No, I'm not a control freak. ...Really, I'm not... *shifty eyes* But, isn't it nice to set your story somewhere you want? What if you wanted to learn more about New York. Well, heck set it in New York and get to the internet. Imagine every thing you'll learn about a place you'd love to visit! Or maybe you want your main character to have different profession than you. What if you always wanted to be a doctor or an airplane pilot? Or maybe you'd like the small town girl to get the rich city boy to pay attention to her. You get to live through your characters, it's so much fun!
I WRITE TO PLAY MATCHMAKER
Among other things, that is. I get to bring them together, in what ever way I want. They could meet in a diner, or by accident at a restaurant. There are so many possibilities with this. How would you have your two love birds meet? Do they fall in love right away? Or does it take some time for them to realize that they like each other let alone love one another? Is there a past that hinders one of them to not want a relationship? There are so many ways to bring them together.
I WRITE BECAUSE I LOVE PLOT
And plot twists. When I started my story, I didn't know exactly where it was going to take me. All I knew was that I wanted to have a boy and a girl come together somehow. I knew I wanted their path to be difficult for them. But, what I hadn't planned on were the twists and turns they'd take me on. It's an everyday adventure. And just when I think I have it all figured out, it gets twisted again. But, it all comes together in the end...or does it? *dun, dun, duuuuuun*
I WRITE FOR YOU, THE READER
This is most important of all because I am a reader myself. I love a well written plot with characters I can fall in love with or hate with a passion. I try to take that into consideration when I am writing. Would I want the story to go this way? Does this make any sence? Do these people seem likable? I actually finished the first draft about twelve chapters in and scrapped it taking bits and pieces into my draft I'm working on now because I didn't like the plot and where it was going. I wasn't into it anymore so why would the reader? Thankfully, I've surpassed that now and am on chapter fifteen of the re-write and I have to say, I do like where it's going now.
What ever your reason behind wanting to write, do it. You'd be surprised what happens. ;)
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I WRITE BECAUSE I CAN CREATE
I love listening to a song and just imagining a moment. Example: I was listening to Missy Higgins song Secret (which I L.O.V.E., by the way, you should go listen to it) and I couldn't help but let my mind drift. I imagined a couple meeting in a small town. They find they have a lot in common and before they know it, they fall in love. When she finds out he's running from something and has a sinister past that comes back to haunt him, it's too late for her to get out. She's in too deep. Before she knows it she's involved in things she'd never dreamed of; a cover up, a scandal, and a murder that wasn't supposed to happen. The guitar pinging in the background of the song flashes images of gunfire, car chases, running and darkness surrounding them as they bury a body in the woods.
You've got a secret...don't cha babe?
See what happened there? Go listen to it...tell me what the song tells you.
I WRITE BECAUSE I GET TO CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS
No, I'm not a control freak. ...Really, I'm not... *shifty eyes* But, isn't it nice to set your story somewhere you want? What if you wanted to learn more about New York. Well, heck set it in New York and get to the internet. Imagine every thing you'll learn about a place you'd love to visit! Or maybe you want your main character to have different profession than you. What if you always wanted to be a doctor or an airplane pilot? Or maybe you'd like the small town girl to get the rich city boy to pay attention to her. You get to live through your characters, it's so much fun!
I WRITE TO PLAY MATCHMAKER
Among other things, that is. I get to bring them together, in what ever way I want. They could meet in a diner, or by accident at a restaurant. There are so many possibilities with this. How would you have your two love birds meet? Do they fall in love right away? Or does it take some time for them to realize that they like each other let alone love one another? Is there a past that hinders one of them to not want a relationship? There are so many ways to bring them together.
I WRITE BECAUSE I LOVE PLOT
And plot twists. When I started my story, I didn't know exactly where it was going to take me. All I knew was that I wanted to have a boy and a girl come together somehow. I knew I wanted their path to be difficult for them. But, what I hadn't planned on were the twists and turns they'd take me on. It's an everyday adventure. And just when I think I have it all figured out, it gets twisted again. But, it all comes together in the end...or does it? *dun, dun, duuuuuun*
I WRITE FOR YOU, THE READER
This is most important of all because I am a reader myself. I love a well written plot with characters I can fall in love with or hate with a passion. I try to take that into consideration when I am writing. Would I want the story to go this way? Does this make any sence? Do these people seem likable? I actually finished the first draft about twelve chapters in and scrapped it taking bits and pieces into my draft I'm working on now because I didn't like the plot and where it was going. I wasn't into it anymore so why would the reader? Thankfully, I've surpassed that now and am on chapter fifteen of the re-write and I have to say, I do like where it's going now.
What ever your reason behind wanting to write, do it. You'd be surprised what happens. ;)