{"id":6449,"date":"2016-06-03T04:25:55","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T04:25:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/?p=6449"},"modified":"2024-09-29T12:14:13","modified_gmt":"2024-09-29T05:14:13","slug":"why-people-write","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/a-confession-tolstoy.jpg\"><img title = \"[Tags]\"loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"254\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/a-confession-tolstoy.jpg?w=191\"alt = \"a-confession-tolstoy Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing\" class=\"wp-image-6456\" style=\"width:224px;height:352px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/a-confession-tolstoy.jpg 254w, https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/a-confession-tolstoy-191x300.jpg 191w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 254px) 100vw, 254px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong>The joy of writing is a pleasure I wish I had known when I was a young man. But in those days, I must have been too busy living to ask questions, like why do people write, why do writers write, and what is the purpose of your life? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">I questioned little until I was well into my thirties. By then life had dumped enough problems on me to make me sit up and wonder as many others before me had done. What was life about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Why_do_People_Write\" >Why do People Write?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Why_did_Tolstoy_Write_%E2%80%98A_Confession_and_Lay_Himself_Bare\" >Why did Tolstoy Write \u2018A Confession\u2019 and Lay Himself Bare?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Many_Reasons_Why_We_Write_Lets_Explore_Some\" >Many Reasons Why We Write Lets Explore Some<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#What_is_the_Meaning_of_Life_Tolstoy_Searched_for\" >What is the Meaning of Life Tolstoy Searched for?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Did_Intellectuals_of_Tolstoys_Era_Struggle_with_Old_Beliefs\" >Did Intellectuals of Tolstoy\u2019s Era Struggle with Old Beliefs?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Charles_Darwin-_Origin_of_Species\" >Charles Darwin- Origin of Species<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Was_There_Really_No_Joy_in_Writing_for_Tolstoy\" >Was There Really No Joy in Writing for Tolstoy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Reason_for_Writing_Passion_or_Profession\" >Reason for Writing Passion or Profession?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#The_Joy_of_Creative_Writing\" >The Joy of Creative Writing<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Write_Use_Your_Brain\" >Write Use Your Brain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Look_for_the_Energy\" >Look for the Energy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Live_in_your_imaginary_world\" >Live in your imaginary world<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Create_with_the_muse\" >Create with the muse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Harness_the_Force\" >Harness the Force<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#To_Analyse_or_Not_to_Analyse\" >To Analyse or Not to Analyse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#How_to_Begin_Writing_a_Novel\" >How to Begin Writing a Novel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Haunted_by_Things_Writers_Fear_Most\" >Haunted by Things Writers Fear Most.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#When_will_you_finish\" >When will you finish<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Writers_block\" >Writer\u2019s block<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Time_is_my_enemy_What_is_yours\" >Time is my enemy. What is yours?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Final_Thought\" >Final Thought<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#Why_not_Join_Us\" >Why not Join Us<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-do-people-write-and-why-do-writers-write-if-they-don-t-enjoy-it\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_People_Write\"><\/span>Why do People Write? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many writers and a lot of reasons why they write. They may use writing for therapy, business, communication, or just fun. Writing gives pleasure to millions of writers and readers for a multitude of reasons. Whether they write to make money or any other reason, writing offers so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The process of writing alone is enough for many writers. Some write because it helps them relax. Some write anything as writing can help other thoughts. Why people write can&#8217;t be answered simply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reading is private and personal. Published writing is for public consumption and belongs to the reader. Sharing your writing is confessional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I read&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/34OhMPs\">\u2018A Confession\u2019 by Leo Tolstoy&nbsp;<\/a>(1828\u20131910) I was stunned by his honesty and the revelation that such a great author didn\u2019t enjoy writing. So, why did he write? Simply \u2013 to earn money to support his young family. And he was talented enough to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-did-tolstoy-write-a-confession-and-lay-himself-bare\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_did_Tolstoy_Write_%E2%80%98A_Confession_and_Lay_Himself_Bare\"><\/span>Why did Tolstoy Write \u2018A Confession\u2019 and Lay Himself Bare?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">A Confession is a short work on the subject of melancholia, philosophy and religion, which Tolstoy wrote in 1879 when he was 51 years old. In it, he addresses the real meaning of life while in a depressed state. A state brought about by an obsession to understand the meaning, or rather the non-meaning, of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">My reason for reading his work was not to depress myself, although \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/26244.A_Confession\">\u2018A Confession\u2019<\/a> could easily have done that. It was to gain some insight as to why such a creative and successful man took to writing, not because of a passion, but solely for financial reasons. And, why would he expose his flaws for the world to read?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Perhaps he knew the subject of his affliction would sell books. Or was it a cathartic exercise? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-so-why-do-people-write\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Many_Reasons_Why_We_Write_Lets_Explore_Some\"><\/span>Many Reasons Why We Write: Lets Explore Some<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\"><strong><strong>Why do people write when great authors like Tolstoy don\u2019t even enjoy what they do best? In Tolstoy\u2019s search for the meaning of life, he wrote to earn money to support his young family. A simple answer to a complex question? <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Professional authors who are subservient to large publishing houses and under such constraint, are expected to churn out novels on demand as often as the sun rises. Is it any wonder, then, that famous authors often produce sub-standard work? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The joy of writing should not be sullied in this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People write for many reasons, including to earn a living. But I am sure that is secondary to many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Writing allows individuals to express themselves in many ways and serves as a versatile tool for individuals to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>connect with others, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>create stories, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>explore their imagination, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>influence opinions, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>raise awareness, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>heal emotional wounds, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>support others, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>leave a lasting impact,  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>explore topics, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>share knowledge, and <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>nurture creativity. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-meaning-of-life\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Meaning_of_Life_Tolstoy_Searched_for\"><\/span>What is the Meaning of Life Tolstoy Searched for?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">What is the real meaning of life, is an age old question we have probably all asked ourselves at some time. The conundrum usually passes us by, and we are not driven to write a book on the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">When Tolstoy posed the question to himself, I could feel his frustration, when he said;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWhy should I live; why wish for anything or do anything?\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">He was very successful, well-off financially and a great writer, but it meant nothing. It was of no value to him, or of any consolation, as he could not find meaning in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Of course, he is not the only person to have talked to himself and asked, what is the purpose of my life? But to be as successful as he was, and feel it is all pointless must be a very sad feeling indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-did-intellectuals-of-tolstoy-s-era-struggle-with-old-beliefs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Did_Intellectuals_of_Tolstoys_Era_Struggle_with_Old_Beliefs\"><\/span>Did Intellectuals of Tolstoy\u2019s Era Struggle with Old Beliefs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">It must have been difficult for intellectuals of that era to grapple with a world that blindly, accepted old superstitions. Beliefs based on ancient unsubstantiated manuscripts, written by people who had a fraction of the knowledge available today, were challenged by intellectuals of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">But science, as it was then, was unable to provide answers or theories to support justifiable questions. It must have frustrated Tolstoy and others, but is hardly surprising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-charles-darwin-origin-of-species\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Charles_Darwin-_Origin_of_Species\"><\/span>Charles Darwin- Origin of Species<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/origin-of-species.jpg\"><img title = \"[Tags]\"loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"262\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/origin-of-species.jpg?w=197\"alt = \"a-confession-tolstoy Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing\" class=\"wp-image-6457\" style=\"width:241px;height:367px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/origin-of-species.jpg 262w, https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/origin-of-species-197x300.jpg 197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 262px) 100vw, 262px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Darwin\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/328IQXV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2018Origin of Species\u2019<\/a> was published in 1859 which must have been a significant pointer. But I have not seen any evidence that Tolstoy even mentioned it, although it was written twenty years prior to his book, <strong>\u2018A Confession\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-was-there-no-joy-in-writing-for-tolstoy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Was_There_Really_No_Joy_in_Writing_for_Tolstoy\"><\/span>Was There Really No Joy in Writing for Tolstoy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">It seems he did not experience the joy of writing. What would I give for one iota of Toltoy\u2019s talent? Certainly not my sanity or the melancholy he suffered. I discovered late in life, the immense pleasures of writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Over the years that followed, it has become to me as eating \u2013 a necessity to sustain life. For without it I would surely die. Maybe not physically, although, I can\u2019t be certain. But from lack of creativity, without a doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-writing-as-a-passion-or-a-profession\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_for_Writing_Passion_or_Profession\"><\/span>Reason for Writing: Passion or Profession?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">I came to writing on a circuitous route via a love of literature, purely as a hobby. I had no thoughts of it as a way to earn a living or even pocket money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">So, it didn\u2019t occur to me that not all authors enjoy writing, they just do it to make a living. When I found there were many who fell into the category of unhappy writers, I was quite surprised. So, why do people write, when there are easier ways to earn a living?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">If you just do it for a living then it can surely become tedious. I am sure I wouldn\u2019t enjoy writing if I had to do it, as much as I do. And I do love it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">But I do hate having to find the right shelf in Amazon\u2019s bookstore for my latest literary fiction novel, although I understand the reason. So, I am not a fan of writing to market, and I have no intention of trying. I\u2019m sure <a href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/write-first-novel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I couldn\u2019t write an erotic romance novel <\/a>however hard I tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-joy-of-writing\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Joy_of_Creative_Writing\"><\/span>The Joy of Creative Writing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-write\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Write_Use_Your_Brain\"><\/span>Write: Use Your Brain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The more you write the easier it will become and the easier it becomes the more you will write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-look-for-the-energy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Look_for_the_Energy\"><\/span>Look for the Energy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Writing is energising and at the same time energy sapping. It will consume your waking hours and then it won\u2019t cease in slumber, depriving you of much needed sleep. But you will be alive, tired but vibrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-live-in-your-imaginary-world\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Live_in_your_imaginary_world\"><\/span>Live in your imaginary world<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The story will take on a life of its own. And you will be its willing slave, the conduit for creative outpouring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-create-with-the-muse\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Create_with_the_muse\"><\/span>Create with the muse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">The muse will give new vitality. And every time you write, pray youI won\u2019t drop dead before the work is finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-harness-the-force\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Harness_the_Force\"><\/span>Harness the Force<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Such is the force, that sometimes the creative spirit is so powerful that it drags the physical being along for the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-to-analyse-or-not-to-analyse\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"To_Analyse_or_Not_to_Analyse\"><\/span>To Analyse or Not to Analyse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Do not be too analytical, for fear of stifling your creativity. The ability learnt over time, that great writers have of marrying creativity and technical skills, may be missing. And the more you learn, the more you realise there is to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">But there is no need to concern yourself with that, as there is no end to learning. It is not a finite process. As you grow old, you have less time to dwell and will focus more. Learn what needs to be learnt on the hoof. Don\u2019t procrastinate too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">I could never write solely to earn a living, as Tolstoy did. Not because I am not good enough, although that may well be the case. But because it is the joy of writing itself that spurs authors on \u2013 the financial reward is a by-product. And it is probably <a href=\"http:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/artists-dont-retire-they-just-die\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"ek-link\">why artists never retire until they die<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">So, in that alone, I regret a little that my discovery of the joy of writing came so late in life. However, I feel luckier than Tolstoy, in that I have accepted there is no meaning to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">I can enjoy the rest of mine, writing, along with a few other small pleasures, while contemplating on the question, why do people write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-begin-writing-a-novel\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Begin_Writing_a_Novel\"><\/span>How to Begin Writing a Novel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">I dreamt of writing a novel for a long time. Although the seeds were planted years before I began to write, they were slow to germinate. The time had to be right for me to start the process. The time arrived of its own accord, and the story began to unfold in my head day after day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">&nbsp;It consumed me, and I lived with the characters day after day, and some nights barely sleeping. One story became two and two became three until my first series was complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">During the process, the end was far out of sight. I had never done anything like it before. But I had a vision and sketchy plan that evolved over time. Here are five points to get the process going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Find a compelling story<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for a gripping villain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get the best protagonist you can dream up<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start developing the plot \u2013 write 40 chapter headings to set the scenes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write a brief summary of each scene, in any order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">You now have a skeleton ready to put flesh on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-haunted-by-the-things-writers-fear-most\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Haunted_by_Things_Writers_Fear_Most\"><\/span>Haunted by Things Writers Fear Most.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-will-you-finish\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_will_you_finish\"><\/span>When will you finish<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">This will haunt you until you let go. Some writers set specific targets. I prefer to say, it will be finished when it is finished, but these are rough timelines which are achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"writer-s-block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Writers_block\"><\/span>Writer\u2019s block<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Writer&#8217;s block can be a nightmare for some authors, but I can\u2019t imagine how it could happen, so it doesn\u2019t worry me. It still doesn&#8217;t, and I have yet to experience it. Everyone is different and there\u2019s no point in sweating over what may or may not happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"time-is-my-enemy-what-is-yours\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Time_is_my_enemy_What_is_yours\"><\/span>Time is my enemy. What is yours?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">Not having as much time as I would like does bother me. I still Imagine all the knowledge, information, experience, and emotional turmoil, I have collected and continue to amass, waiting to be set free, never seeing the light of day. Yes, time and wellness are my only enemies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yours will probably be something else, recognise it and deal with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-in-conclusion-why-do-people-write\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thought\"><\/span>Final Thought <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">How many of us possess the artistic and creative ability to unlock the potential within, while we have been too busy trying to survive, by any means, while growing old? Probably a lot more than we realise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">We write for a variety of reasons which are usually very personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">We now know Tolstoy wrote to support his family. Others, who have accomplished great things, may feel a desire or obligation to share their experiences with others. Some people have skills they can teach others through the written word. Novelists have stories they think will entertain. Poets have a magical way with words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify\">I believe most writers are like artists, actors and musicians, driven by their creative talent to entertain others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Which one are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-not-join-us\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_not_Join_Us\"><\/span>Why not Join Us<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you enjoyed this article, we would like to offer you two gifts \u2013 our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jameskingbooks.com\/starterlibrary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Starter Pack of 4 James King\u2019s books<\/a>&nbsp;and our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jameskingbooks.com\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Weekly Digest,<\/a>&nbsp;which you can receive by email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Updated April 2024<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The joy of writing is a pleasure I wish I had known when I was a young man. But in[&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11068,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[3036],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6449","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-communication"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v15.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing &bull; Author Indie<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why do people write if it gives them no joy? In his search for life&#039;s meaning Tolstoy wrote to support his family, not because he enjoyed it.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing &bull; Author Indie\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Why do people write if it gives them no joy? In his search for life&#039;s meaning Tolstoy wrote to support his family, not because he enjoyed it.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Author Indie\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2016-06-03T04:25:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-29T05:14:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/debby-hudson-705707-unsplash.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"4000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"2700\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@JimKing28265666\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@JimKing28265666\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/\",\"name\":\"Author Indie\",\"description\":\"Business Building for New Age Authors\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#\/schema\/person\/b1ef1dde8f85578610a299fe7406ad06\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/?s={search_term_string}\",\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/debby-hudson-705707-unsplash.jpg\",\"width\":4000,\"height\":2700,\"caption\":\"joy of writing\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/\",\"name\":\"Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing &bull; Author Indie\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2016-06-03T04:25:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-09-29T05:14:13+00:00\",\"description\":\"Why do people write if it gives them no joy? In his search for life's meaning Tolstoy wrote to support his family, not because he enjoyed it.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"item\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/\",\"name\":\"Home\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"item\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/category\/communication\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/category\/communication\/\",\"name\":\"Language, Writing &amp; Communication\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"item\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/\",\"name\":\"Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#webpage\"},\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#\/schema\/person\/b1ef1dde8f85578610a299fe7406ad06\"},\"headline\":\"Why do People Write When Great Authors Hate Writing\",\"datePublished\":\"2016-06-03T04:25:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-09-29T05:14:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#webpage\"},\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#\/schema\/person\/b1ef1dde8f85578610a299fe7406ad06\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#primaryimage\"},\"articleSection\":\"Language, Writing &amp; Communication\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/why-people-write\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#\/schema\/person\/b1ef1dde8f85578610a299fe7406ad06\",\"name\":\"James King\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ed45de21da99e667dff277e86a703f5c01d2f22056821a8d825f39b2d233d8e?s=96&r=g\",\"caption\":\"James King\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/#personlogo\"},\"description\":\"An Englishman who emigrated to South Africa in 1995, James King\\u2019s work took him all over the Country, visiting Cities, townships and rural areas, gaining valuable insight into the culture and lives of the people, post-apartheid.In 2011 James left South Africa for Thailand, where he learned landscape photography and writes literary fiction novels, poetry and short stories.Leading a well-travelled but somewhat fractured and unconventional life, James has mixed with politicians, sports stars, creatives, music impresarios, business tycoons, murderers, fraudsters, and even hired assassins. They have all provided rare material which he uses to great effect in his writing.Blogging, writing articles about Thailand and poetry, led to writing novels. With a literary bent, his character-driven stories are dramatic, suspenseful, thrilling and emotional. There are always romantic and sinister elements at play in his plots.James\\u2019 poetry drifts from the romantic to fear for the survival of our world, human rights and the darkness of death. Inspired by music, film, and literature. Shakespeare, Dickens, Hesse, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, among others, have all had a profound influence on his life, his writing, and the messages within.\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6449"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15312,"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6449\/revisions\/15312"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamoroki.com\/authorindie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}