I was listening to a podcast that had an interview with a food photographer. They asked the photographer why she takes pictures of food. The photographer answered "If I could answer that question fully I'd probably stop shooting what I'm taking pictures of".
I've long known that, for me, writing is therapy. I don't write what I know, I write what I'm discovering, what I'm learning. I write to work through my emotions, my stress, to help me comprehend what is going on and find organization to the chaos of life.
Maybe that's why certain pieces fall flat after awhile, there's no discovery there, nothing to learn, so the novel becomes stale and boring and is eventually left, figuratively dusty and alone, on the dropbox account.
What about you? Do you write what you know? Or what you want to know?
Interesting theory! I'm not sure I'd know the reason behind what I write. Maybe we're not supposed to know until later in life...
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic. It's a tough question for me. I write what I love (which is middle grade), but when it comes to setting, I write what I know because otherwise it's obvious I don't. :-) But as far as story, I write to learn.
ReplyDeleteI write to be more in touch with that creative part of myself. As long as I enjoy it, I will probably continue writing.
ReplyDeleteI have so much schoolwork that is decidedly not creative that I almost HAVE to write to stay sane. It's also a fairly cheap form of therapy so that's nice. I've definitely used writing to help me work through tough moments in my life. This current WIP of mine has proven that.
ReplyDeleteWriting Through College
A twist on that, I think: I write what I want to share. So sometimes it's something I know, or am discovering, or learning. Sometimes it's something funny or informative. Hmmm.. you've made me think. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteGreat question! Definitely what I want to know. I love researching. Although probably the emotions in my writing come from what I already know...
ReplyDeleteI want to explore emotions, extreme, sweet, whatever. A little research doesnt hurt. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI write because I love being creative. That being said, I believe I write both what I know, and what I want to know. Great post, Sara!
ReplyDeleteFor me it's a combination of both. I write about my emotional experiences and many of life's situations... I have lived about four or five in my lifetime. But I also love to learn new things and research. I LOVE a good challenge. And writing is a wonderful way to touch base with your creative side and as well as living up to that challenge.
ReplyDeleteGood question. I guess for me, it's a combination of both, too, but mostly, I like to write what I want to read, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteInteresting way of looking at it. But I understand where you're coming from... when someone asks why I write, I have an answer, but it doesn't really cover every corner of the square.
ReplyDeletewriting what you know is way easier. it's freer. I'm working on a book that talks like me and it is cake cake cake!!
ReplyDeleteI don't write but as a photographer I can relate. If you have a reason for anything then you should stop doing it. I guess the only reason should be because if you love doing it, then why stop?
ReplyDeleteWhat I need to know.
ReplyDeleteFood for thought. I write Paranormal, so do I really know it? No. But imagination is a lovely tool!
ReplyDeleteNas
That is an interesting way of looking at it.I'm not sure why I write...I mean I do know, on the surface...but answering that question fully would take a lot of introspection and I may not like the answer...I think I need another cup of coffee. (:
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think I write songs because the process of writing them brings out a childlike, bouncing-off-the-walls excitement that few other pursuits create for me. That is wonderful because it makes the process exciting, regardless of how many people listen to me.
ReplyDeleteI write from a lot of different angles, one being of what I know, and the other of being what my intuition tells me I need to get out of my system. There are a lot of things I need to get out of my system, so I don't think I'd run out of stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am not too freakin' scared to write, I think I write a little of what I know and a lot of what I want to know....
ReplyDeleteI know now I need to know more, but for now, that's all I know how to say. :)
I write what I know, but more especially, I write to purge emotions--whether through music or word. If not, I might explode. When I'm hit with an especially crazy mood, I channel it into my electronic page, and come away feeling better, probably like most people do after hitting the gym.
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