I was thinking about this entry while teaching today, and found myself asking, aloud, "Why did Hemingway write? Why does anyone write? What does it mean that we reach for immortality or creation or truth in such an unstable medium?" The students seemed to like these questions.
With the caveat that this post is public, some thoughts on your questions...
So. Why do you write?
Initially I thought it a spiffy challenge and that it looked like fun. Now - because it's a spiffy challenge and it can be fun. Also because I have a tendency to start stories and then I want to finish them. :)
How did you learn to write? What do you feel you're still learning to do?
By doing...
As for "still learning" - *tilts head* - my take on this spins the question, a bit; with each story, you learn how to write that story.
How much is your identity wrapped up in your writing and storytelling?
I'm not sure. Entirely? Not at all? Depends on the day?
How much does audience play into what you do and how you do it?
Fic writing? Not at all - unless it's for an exchange, in which case I'll take into account what I know of a recipient and check my impulses against that, because I always hope that a recipient will like a gift.
What makes certain stories shine (yours or others) in your eyes?What do you look for in a story?What draws you to read certain stories or certain writers?
Writing that's so good that I forget that I'm reading.
Does anybody else get this crash after finishing a big or otherwise important (to you) story? Does anybody know why it happens? LOL
LOL yes. That's why I make "Finite Incantetem" banners. :) As for why... sheeyit, woman, ain't it obvious? *takes off bifocals and stares at you*
Does anybody else wonder why they do this and feel like they've just ripped off their skin and are waiting for the world's approval/approvation/rejection/indifference every time they post something?
*smiles* Depends on the chapter, I think... I didn't expect anyone to read anything I wrote, really, so initially I was more surprised that people were reading it at all. I got nervous when I posted my first scene with hotness (because would anyone else find it hot? LOL) and again when I posted Chapter 25 of Walking Shadow (clearly traumatized; I still remember the number) because of how it ends (by that time, I'd sort of figured out people were reading, and I expected that someone would come after me with an axe [SnarkyRoxy's review was "Run. Now."). But now? Not so much now.
When I'm fretting at you in IMs about "I don't want to break my story!" it's more about whether or not the story that exists as a whole in my head will make it to the readers through the sometimes inadequate, unstable medium of language.
no subject
With the caveat that this post is public, some thoughts on your questions...
So. Why do you write?
Initially I thought it a spiffy challenge and that it looked like fun. Now - because it's a spiffy challenge and it can be fun. Also because I have a tendency to start stories and then I want to finish them. :)
How did you learn to write? What do you feel you're still learning to do?
By doing...
As for "still learning" - *tilts head* - my take on this spins the question, a bit; with each story, you learn how to write that story.
How much is your identity wrapped up in your writing and storytelling?
I'm not sure. Entirely? Not at all? Depends on the day?
How much does audience play into what you do and how you do it?
Fic writing? Not at all - unless it's for an exchange, in which case I'll take into account what I know of a recipient and check my impulses against that, because I always hope that a recipient will like a gift.
What makes certain stories shine (yours or others) in your eyes? What do you look for in a story? What draws you to read certain stories or certain writers?
Writing that's so good that I forget that I'm reading.
Does anybody else get this crash after finishing a big or otherwise important (to you) story? Does anybody know why it happens? LOL
LOL yes. That's why I make "Finite Incantetem" banners. :) As for why... sheeyit, woman, ain't it obvious? *takes off bifocals and stares at you*
Does anybody else wonder why they do this and feel like they've just ripped off their skin and are waiting for the world's approval/approvation/rejection/indifference every time they post something?
*smiles* Depends on the chapter, I think... I didn't expect anyone to read anything I wrote, really, so initially I was more surprised that people were reading it at all. I got nervous when I posted my first scene with hotness (because would anyone else find it hot? LOL) and again when I posted Chapter 25 of Walking Shadow (clearly traumatized; I still remember the number) because of how it ends (by that time, I'd sort of figured out people were reading, and I expected that someone would come after me with an axe [SnarkyRoxy's review was "Run. Now."). But now? Not so much now.
When I'm fretting at you in IMs about "I don't want to break my story!" it's more about whether or not the story that exists as a whole in my head will make it to the readers through the sometimes inadequate, unstable medium of language.