writers and depression

[sartorias]

It would be arrogant to assume that every writer who insists That’s okay, I’m just as happy to tell my stories to myself like I did when I was little is whistling in the dark. Some really do prefer their work stay in their own space. Most of us are our own best audience anyway, and part of our stress with respect to writing is acquiring the skill

Comments

[caragana_leaves]

That gives me some stuff to think about (said the girl who's finally gotten out of the why-bother enough to start writing in earnest). No, you don't know me. I'm a lurker on the Yahoo group. But I saw you had an lj and I thought I'd stop in and say hello.
So, um, yes... Hello!

[sartorias]

I am glad you are writing in earnest! Thank you for stopping by.

....

[azureeve]

Like I said, I dropped by to take a look. If you're wondering, I'm from the yahoo group (adiralinnet.) You've made some good points, and I can see where this is coming out of since I skimmed over your previous posts. It's devestatingly sad.

I think what you've expressed may be applied to other areas as well...like in the professional arena of arts (mostly visual and preforming). I think I can identify with being in the situation where one is among the thousands of equally skilled potentials waiting to be "discovered." Although, my experience with it doesn't have to do with writing...at least not yet.

Re: ....

[sartorias]

I think you are right that depression can hit anyone of any area. I do think it is harder for non-arts people to understand the stresses on artists...but then I will willingly acknowledge that that can be said by a member of any group about others who do not comprehend their particular avocation.

[penmage]

This is quite exactly how I feel about writing. I need to write, and I need to be heard. I need my stories to be heard by others. And that, I suppose, is why I will continue to work away at this craft all my life, if it takes that long for me to publish. There are a lot of discouraging factors, but there's that driving need that will never quite let go of me.

[sartorias]

...and it's other writers who can listen, nod, say, yes, that makes perfect sense. It really is not a matter of want or not want, it's who we are.

[oracne]

That "listen, nod, say yes" is exactly one of the reasons my workshop is so important to me--every couple of months, we can talk about writing and we will all understand. It's nice to know that support is there.

[sartorias]

I don't have a F-2-F workshop--wish I did--but my little on-line, informal one is very precious to me indeed. (For one thing I can talk the minutae of writing and never fear being a bore; in my realtime life no one, but no one, has the slightest interest, so I play the role of listener. Which is why I, ahem, tend to uncork the rare times I do get together with writers, sigh.)