Writing: Why do you do it?

[t_eyla]

I already posted this at wewriteinhell, but there are a few folks on the f-list who are not in that comm who might find this interesting/might feel like putting their two cents in. Sorry to all of you for whom this is a double-post

Comments

[t_eyla]

I don't really push myself to end up with something as much as I push myself to understand something
Hm, but isn't this kind of the same thing? An understanding of something is still an end result. I don't usually go back and think a lot about the stories I've written--because they're done. They're finished, the project's over, and the brain's already occupied with the next one. I don't usually throw my stuff out, because I do want other people to read it--maybe because I think that what I managed to understand while writing this story may be valuable to other people as well.

And I kind of see the connection between drawing and writing. I don't get it, but when I'm working out a plot, I often feel the urge to draw it. I'm impatient, I don't want to put a lot of effort into it, so what I end up with are scribbled stick-figures and a lot of arrows pointing this way and that, and the scribbles don't make sense to anyone, but they do help me work stuff out. I think this is probably not what you're talking about, because I'm not putting any effort into the "drawing", it's just a means to reach an end, but it's how drawing and writing are connected for me.

[euclase]

I'm glad you keep replying, because this is interesting, and I don't think enough about it.

I don't usually throw my stuff out, because I do want other people to read it--maybe because I think that what I managed to understand while writing this story may be valuable to other people as well.

I think this is why I post stuff, too. When I'm not in throw-it-away mode, I treat fanfiction kind of like an algebra equation. So I feel the need to hang up the solution on a bulletin board so other people can see my solution. I get a pretty strong, "I solved that!" feeling from fanfiction and drawing, which is very personal and not really directed at anyone but definitely there, even if it's not the same kind of algebra other people are doing. And I never really realized that until I just typed this, hahaha.

Also, original writing and fanfiction are two completely different things in my head. Apologies that I didn't clarify that because it doesn't really help your original discussion. Fanfiction is like drawing--they are both things to tinker and puzzle over and play with for me. Original writing is much different, and I'm not sure I could explain it. It's like a constant running river or engine in my brain that I can't remember not having to deal with. I'm not sure if that's the same for you or not. I know some people think of fanfiction as being a kind of practice for original writing, while some people only write fanfiction and aren't concerned with original writing. I really don't connect the two, except in the obvious they both require plot and words way. It's like the difference between cooking a turkey dinner and baking dessert. They both need the kitchen, but you don't mix them.

I don't want to put a lot of effort into it, so what I end up with are scribbled stick-figures and a lot of arrows pointing this way and that, and the scribbles don't make sense to anyone, but they do help me work stuff out.

Yes, that's pretty much how I feel about it, too. Almost exactly, in fact. Fanfiction and drawing are ways to work things out. And despite the fact that you draw stick figures, it's really the same. I have my own impatient needs, and I never feel like I'm putting effort into it, either. Er, at least, that what it feels like. More thinking may be required on this matter! ;)

(Wow, sorry I'm so talkative. Eesh.)

[t_eyla]

For me, the "I solved that" experience isn't as strong. It either fits, or it doesn't. If I want to know what it is that fits, I have to go back and take a close look at what I wrote. But if I do that, then yeah. Fiction, no matter if it's mine or other people's--if it's good fiction, it is like an algebra puzzle.

Hm, original and fanfiction aren't so different for me. Especially not in Doctor Who, where everybody kind of makes up their own rules and canon. Fanfiction is different insofar because you can spend more time on exploration and have to spend less time on exposition. Everybody already knows the characters, and the 'verse. You don't have to explain what you're doing.

More thinking may be required on this matter!
Feel free to do so in more comments! This is interesting.