THAT’S NOT WRITING, THAT’S TYPING
I was sifting through some of the most vicious writer on writer criticisms the other day and was reminded of this one by Truman Capote on Jack Kerouac. Whilst I’d usually find these to be amusing examples of opinionated self importance, it actually played on my mind for a few days.
Oh My God, is that what I’m doing? How will I know if this is what I’m doing?
Everything I’ve written over the last few days, (4,000 words, thank you very much), has been tainted by the knowledge that whatever I write, whether now while I produce mediocre ramblings, or in the future when these ramblings turn into something worth reading, will be viewed by someone somewhere as absolute rubbish. I will never produce the sort of literature worth considering for the Man Booker Prize, nor will Hilary Mantel ever read my story about a boy and his granddad who hop through time (see this story that I penned for my sons).
This realization did, for a few days, make me wonder why I’m bothering if I know these things. Why would I spent months producing a book that is never going to make an impact? Why would I open myself up to criticism and opinions like Capote’s when they will likely force me to crawl under a rock and never come out?
The answer is simple. Because I want to. I am not writing for the panel of the Man Booker Prize, I am writing for me. When I sit at my computer or scribble in my notebook, I do it only because I’ve got something to say, whether it is worth saying to anyone else is irrelevant. When I write about my time travelling characters I do it because I want my sons to enjoy reading about their adventures, not because I want to create the next Harry Potter phenomenon. There can be no other excuse for writing stories about Martin, The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Farting and other bedtime dream fodder currently stored in hidden away files.
I’m an über organised wife of one, mother of two and human to a demanding Shih Tzu. I’m also a self taught writer trying not to humiliate myself in front of real life people.
You will find me in my little corner of the blogosphere hosting the Six Word Story Challenge, reviewing books and begging people to critique my stories. Come on by, it would be great to meet you.
thevacilando 
Hi Nicola!
Nice post! I like your style, too. I’m still not entirely clear on your motives for writing. Could you elaborate, please?
I got into blogging after my therapist nagged me for six months to do it. To some extent, I’ve never gotten away from “writing as therapy”. I love having an audience, but I’d be writing even if the only person reading me was myself. Without an audience, though, I would miss the challenge of communicating ideas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Paul,
Thanks for reading my guest post, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve never really considered my motivation to write as being anything other than selfish. I love to step away from the constant bombardment of the digital age and the world’s desire for immediate satisfaction. Writing allows me to do this, I can take a notebook and pen and unfurl whatever happens to be simmering in my head. Sometimes this will turn into something worth reading, sometimes it’s just a tangle of consciousness. Either way, I’ve had a quiet few minutes or hours in my own silent company.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That’s rather beautiful, Nicola.
LikeLiked by 1 person