writing and work

[kdbleu]

Do you think of writing as work, as a job

Comments

[ecstaticdance]

I think I kind of draw a line of distinction between the work of writing and writing as work. The work of writing exists because it's writing and requires effort. Writing as work, to me, implies not just the investment of time, but an intention to Do Something with it. That Something may not be earning money for yourself. It could be raising awareness, or offering the story to a non-profit to raise funds, or marketing, or a million other things. But the intention Do Something beyond just writing for the pleasure of writing and finishing a story and sharing it with "your friends" strikes me, personally, as the dividing line.

[kdbleu]

Writing as work, to me, implies not just the investment of time, but an intention to Do Something with it.

This is very much what I was realizing with the theatre connection. I didn't get paid for much of the theatre work I did over the years but there was a reason to do it, a very real outlet. Writing is easier to so do in a more insulated fashion.

[ecstaticdance]

Exactly. Which is why I think of volunteering as work, too.

[lanalucy]

Interesting distinction.

Writing definitely requires work. I agonize sometimes over getting an interaction between characters just right. I don't put that much effort into dinner, for frak's sake.

But I think if I had to Do Something with my writing, I'd get a whole lot less pleasure out of it.

[ecstaticdance]

And I think that's why I make that distinction. Because if I'm just doing it to do it, yes there is work involved, but it hasn't become a job and if I'm not there I can put it down.

Writing as work means that I need to be sitting down and focusing and making progress (or trying to) even if I don't feel like it. Which does detract somewhat from the enjoyment, but not enough to make me stop altogether.