Why do you write?

[Empathy]

i've been talking a bit back and forth with some readers and a few authors. Due to the fact that I've been MIA as of late it's come up a few times in conversation as to when and why I started writing.

 

 

And I just wondered what the background story was for you guys. What made you start writing?

Is it a need or a want? and what inspires you?

Edited August 7, 2007 by Empathy

[BeaStKid]

First off, thanks for starting this topic....

 

Now, what made me write?? Let's see...Seeing that I love a particular language famously called English. Also, my best friend pointed out that I'd make a great author. Moreover, seeing so many beautiful stories online, I felt that i could share my wee little talent with y'all.

 

What inspired me?? If you want specific authors who's writings inspired me then they would be--Dan, Sara Bell, Michael Philips, Viv and Van(VLista). But I would give the credit for inspiring me to write totally to GA!!

 

and of course, for me, it's a need...

 

The BeaStKid

[RJ Santos]

The only thing I remember about starting to write was having this story in my head. It's been there for like days and I just got so fed up with it so I thought "What the hell?" I sat down in front of the computer and cranked it out. Plus, I've always had this dream of being published. So after finishing that first chapter, I immediately sent it to Nifty. The responses were positive so I just continued on.

 

Later on, it had become a learning experience to me. I saw things in a different light because, a lot of times, I try to see things in a way one of the characters would see it. Writing is also a great way to tell people what they don't want to hear spoken from your mouth. It's a great way to vent some feelings. You can say "I hate my parents" and "Girls' pussies stink" (no offense to girls out there, this is only an example) and nobody would get mad at you. I love the way I could express myself when I write, and that's mostly what hooked me to writing: FREEDOM.

 

Anyway, thanks for starting this topic.

Edited August 7, 2007 by Rad Steven

[Graeme]

I started as a reader. It was while reading a couple of Drake's novels (unhappily, no longer available) that a thought struck me. The character in that story was reflecting about how he lost two friends when he came out, but for wildly different reasons. One he lost because he came out. The other he lost because they felt he hadn't trusted them enough to tell them earlier.

 

That started me thinking about how a coming out affected those around the person in question. I had no real desire to write before then, because I didn't think I had any ideas that were sufficiently original. But when I considered writing a story that focused on those around the gay guy, rather than the gay guy himself, I thought I had something I could try.

 

My next step was to see if I could put my thoughts into words. I'd read enough to know that just because someone had a good idea, that didn't mean they could deliver it. I wrote one emotional scene, to see if I could convey the image I had in my mind. I was sufficiently happy with the result that I started to write the story. DeweyWriter didn't have an area for posting (I hadn't found GA at that stage), but someone else had started posting a story in the forums there, so I thought I would do the same. I made the mistake of mentioning that I was thinking of it, and was then pressured (in a nice way) to post something. A couple of people volunteered to edit the first couple of chapters, and then I started posting it. It was well received (surprisingly, considering the narrator was a homophobic teenager) and that was that. I've been writing steadily ever since.

 

My first novel was written from the viewpoint of a straight teenager. My first three short stories were similarly written from the point of view of someone who was straight. I surprised at least one reader when my second novel (started before I finished my first one) was written with a gay narrator, but I no longer worry about trying to be sufficiently original (my concern when I started -- I didn't want to write "just another <....> story"). As long as I like the idea, I'll try to write it.

 

Why do I keep on writing?

 

Two main reasons. The first is that I enjoy it. I like coming up with ideas, I like presenting those ideas and I like waiting to see how those ideas are received (though I'm not a feedback fanatic -- just a few comments from time to time is all I need).

 

The second reason is more personal. I'm in a situation where I don't get involved with other local gay guys. Indeed, I try to avoid them. But I need a "gay release" and writing is one of those things. It is how I can express my gay side -- to indulge my "gay" thoughts -- but in a way that doesn't endanger my relationship with my family.

 

PS: The very first scene I wrote is the ending of chapter 8 of my novel New Brother. What ended up in that chapter is a lot better than my original, because I would refine that scene whenever I was stuck, but the basics are there. I've been told by people I trust that that scene is their favourite scene in the entire novel.

[Duncan Ryder]

Great topic.

 

I'm new here and I feel a little presumptuous jumping in but...what the heck.

 

I write because it's what I've always done and the only thing I've ever wanted to do. I make my living as a writer. Mostly, I consider myself really lucky because I have learned how to make a good living with words (corporate / PR writer and editor). Sometimes I regret it because it's a sell out and really compromises my ability to write fiction.

 

Why I persist in writing fiction is a whole other thing...

 

I can't remember a time when my head wasn't full of stories. I was one of those strange little kids that had imaginary friends, and made up stories for them. I was writing them down by the time I was six or seven. Fortunately my parents were totally indulgent about it, which took a lot of patience.

 

Basically, I write because I can't stop. It's my escape, my solace. It's where I figure stuff out, and sometimes where I make things right that I can't make right any other way. I think it's the place where the real me lives. Sometimes I feel like I don't live my life as much as observe it because I always have this kind of commentary running in my head... like everything is just raw material for a story...

[SonoLuminus]

I can't remember a time when my head wasn't full of stories. I was one of those strange little kids that had imaginary friends, and made up stories for them. I was writing them down by the time I was six or seven.

 

That is exactly the way it's always been for me, too. I don't know that I actually have a 'need' to write things down, but I do have the need to keep making up stories in my mind. I just found that as I grew up, writing became an acceptable way of channeling it, rather than just being the weird, introverted kid with an imaginary world.

 

As for what inspires me, it can be a lot of things. Sometimes it's a song or album, sometimes it's a dance piece or skating routine (or a particular performer), or it could be a photograph, or visiting a certain city.

[Krista]

Hey,

 

 

I started out writing because my friends thought I had some talent and kind of pushed me to do it. It wasn't really something I did a lot of before I started posting online. I saw that it helped me in my own writing as I got into college and my Professors actually liked my essay papers and such. Now I'm kinda hooked on it, but before that I was always a reader. I believe I found Nifty a while ago, right after graduation I think as my friend told me about it and such.

 

Anyway, I started writing three novels along with one gay themed one just for my friends and it took off from there. I'll not ever post the one gay themed story I started out writing for them.. lol. As it was pretty pathetic. Another form of motivation was Yahoo Groups and realizing it was a good place to get an idea of how many liked my writing style and such so I started my first story to post online then.

 

As for my writing being a need or a want, it's more of just a hobby that I do. It could be practice if I was ever really inspired to do a full novel for publishing, but right now I have no real desire to be published so it's just a hobby.

 

Krista

[Meeko]

This is a very good question, one i find asking myself constentily, why do i write.

Once i can figure this out, i'll be sure to let you know.

 

-LC

[Conner]

This is a very good question, one i find asking myself constentily, why do i write.

Once i can figure this out, i'll be sure to let you know.

 

-LC

 

Out of the mouths of babes! Thanks for that, LC.

 

I'm enjoying this thread. I'm not a writer. I'm not even a closeted writer. I'm a closeted wannabe writer.

 

I have no stories in my head that are dying to get out.

 

So I edit and beta read. I enjoy that.

 

"They also serve who only stand and wait." John Milton

[C James]

With me, it's recreation, and also the rewards; Interacting with the readers is just fun, and that is my motivation to write on days when I otherwise wouldn't feel like it.

 

Sometimes, stories pop into my head, and nag at me until i write them down. In the case of short stories, therey are sometimes fully-formed, sometimes not. In some cases, I only have the beginnings of a story, nothing more, and as I write it, it develops in my head.

 

Sometimes I use outlines; usually just a few sentences describing each chapter. Sometimes these contain scenes written well ahead of where I am in the story. Often though, the story changes as I write.

 

But as to why I write, I just keep getting story ideas, or more precisely characters and situations. These just pop into my head, proving the old adage that nature abhors a vacuum.

 

I'm enjoying this thread. I'm not a writer. I'm not even a closeted writer. I'm a closeted wannabe writer.

I have no stories in my head that are dying to get out.

 

<cough> In the Beginning: The Story of Adam and Evan<cough>

 

You were saying?

[Conner]

<cough> In the Beginning: The Story of Adam and Evan<cough>

 

You were saying?

 

That doesn't count! It's bible fanfiction. In fact, it's an overused theme. The chapters are extremely short. To make matters worse, it's unfinished.

 

Don't use that link! :2hands:

 

Conner

[C James]

That doesn't count! It's bible fanfiction. In fact, it's an overused theme. The chapters are extremely short. To make matters worse, it's unfinished.

 

Don't use that link! :2hands:

 

Conner

 

I could put that link somewhere inconspicuous... Like my sig... And you COULD (hint, hint!) solve the "unfinished" problem.

 

See? there's a bit of a writer in everyone.

 

So, back on topic; what made you write it?

 

CJ

[shadowgod]

CJ hasn't been completely forthcoming in his reasons for writing. Recreation , okay its a nice hobby I'll admit that. Reader interaction, yes a few of his chapters (like everyone of them) end in a dreadful cliffhanger. Nothing gets readers responding quite like a hoof gnawing cliffhanger. However he omits his number one reasons for writing, simply put to torture those he loves, He will deny deny deny, but the chapters speak for themselves. Thaddeus J Emoe... Blackheart... Even reference to a crazy French guy in one of them.

 

It's not healthy CJ!

 

As for why I write? Lets just say it's something a little more constructive to do with the 'voices' inside my head. Seriously though I've always toyed with the notion of writing, Matter of fact My first work of any considerable length was 'Beyond the Grey Door'. Two full pages of Fantasy story written by a scrawny kid in the second grade way back when. Yes I still have it.

 

Steve

 

PS how presumptuous of me, to think CJ likes me enough to Vilify me in his serial...

[C James]

CJ hasn't been completely forthcoming in his reasons for writing. Recreation , okay its a nice hobby I'll admit that. Reader interaction, yes a few of his chapters (like everyone of them) end in a dreadful cliffhanger. Nothing gets readers responding quite like a hoof gnawing cliffhanger. However he omits his number one reasons for writing, simply put to torture those he loves, He will deny deny deny, but the chapters speak for themselves. Thaddeus J Emoe... Blackheart... Even reference to a crazy French guy in one of them.

 

It's not healthy CJ!

 

As for why I write? Lets just say it's something a little more constructive to do with the 'voices' inside my head. Seriously though I've always toyed with the notion of writing, Matter of fact My first work of any considerable length was 'Beyond the Grey Door'. Two full pages of Fantasy story written by a scrawny kid in the second grade way back when. Yes I still have it.

 

Steve

 

PS how presumptuous of me, to think CJ likes me enough to Vilify me in his serial...

 

Awww... Would a sweet, innocent, quiet lurker like me do such a thing as that?

 

A long time ago, I read some writing advice: "Make your editor and other members of your writing team feel like part of the story."

So, purely coincidentally, one antagonist (a fire-breathing fundamentalist preacher) has the last name of "Emoe", and my editor's screenname is EMoe. Then another antagonist, Blackheart, coincidentally happens to be Shadowgod's former pen name.

 

I do have a serious point here; I feel that writing should, first and foremost, be fun.

 

Also, if you read Shadowgod's excellent "Living in Surreality", you might notice a few little jabs at Arizona and small towns.

 

The fun, and the challenge, is writing a story so that readers who aren't privy to the "in jokes" won't notice a thing, becuase if it is incongruous to them that spoils their experience.

 

But yes indeed, he's right; fun like this is very much part of my motivation to write.

 

Ah well, back to the next chapter for me, I have good friends to tease.

[Empathy]

Guess I should answer my own post, since it received so many responses.

 

I began writing the way a few others did, which after having a story bouncing around in my head for so long; I finally had to get it out.

I think everyone who does a nice amount of reading at some points starts to envision the perfect story for "them". A story with all the elements and plot tools that you love to see. eventually that need to simply get that story out of my head was how i started writing.

 

 

Why I write?

Again as someone else mentioned this is my outlet, in more ways than one. I'm not out and don't have a lot of gay friends. And this ties into the reason I started writing as well. Years ago I was suffering from depression and writing was my own method of dealing with it at the time. Since then i've been inspired by a lot of writers, many right here on GA.