Why I Write
A Sixty Seven Year Retrospective55 total reviews
Comment from Annmuma
Well, you certainly made it this time!!!! I'm betting I just read the winner of this contest. I felt what you felt when I read what you wrote. There is no higher bar to cross than to take the reader to the heights and the depths of a story. Excellent, superb, the best -- I'm betting Thomas Wolfe could not have taken the same subject and done any better with it than you in this post. Great job and please keep writing. ann
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Well, you certainly made it this time!!!! I'm betting I just read the winner of this contest. I felt what you felt when I read what you wrote. There is no higher bar to cross than to take the reader to the heights and the depths of a story. Excellent, superb, the best -- I'm betting Thomas Wolfe could not have taken the same subject and done any better with it than you in this post. Great job and please keep writing. ann
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Wow, Ann! Could you have said anything more comforting and supportive than, "I felt what you felt when I read what you wrote." Excuse me while I sing it a few times. It's an earworm I don't want to get rid of! Blessings, Sweet Ann! Jay
Comment from Ulla
Jay, this a terrific entry for the contest. Not only is it beautifully written, but I certainly think it answers the question posed. Yes, I can relate to the blank screen. As you say, I think it happens to all of us. And then suddenly the inspiration is there and the reward is great feeling.
Good luck with this wonderful piece of writing. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Jay, this a terrific entry for the contest. Not only is it beautifully written, but I certainly think it answers the question posed. Yes, I can relate to the blank screen. As you say, I think it happens to all of us. And then suddenly the inspiration is there and the reward is great feeling.
Good luck with this wonderful piece of writing. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Thank you, Ulla! It's always good to hear the affirmation that I'm not alone when I make my journey. Bless you, dear Ulla!
Jay
Comment from Jim Wile
Jay, glad you made another try at describing why you write. It was worth the effort to think of the reason and to share it with us. Fascinating, really. I can so identify with your analogy of the butterfly: "That butterfly is the feeling my writing searches for each day. Once I find that feeling, once I become that fledgling butterfly, it can sustain me for hours, and those hours fly by like minutes."
That so succinctly summarizes what writing has been for me too for the past few years. I haven't been at it as long as you, nor do I proceed in as regular a fashion by taking pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) every morning, but when I do, I have that same feeling as you, and the hours seem like minutes. It's nourishment for the soul.
I guess I don't need to tell you to keep on writing, my friend. I don't think I could stop you if I tried. Jim
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Jay, glad you made another try at describing why you write. It was worth the effort to think of the reason and to share it with us. Fascinating, really. I can so identify with your analogy of the butterfly: "That butterfly is the feeling my writing searches for each day. Once I find that feeling, once I become that fledgling butterfly, it can sustain me for hours, and those hours fly by like minutes."
That so succinctly summarizes what writing has been for me too for the past few years. I haven't been at it as long as you, nor do I proceed in as regular a fashion by taking pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) every morning, but when I do, I have that same feeling as you, and the hours seem like minutes. It's nourishment for the soul.
I guess I don't need to tell you to keep on writing, my friend. I don't think I could stop you if I tried. Jim
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Oh, man! You know how to knead the tears out of an old man's eyes. Jim, I'm convinced it doesn't really matter how long you've been at it. It's what you do today and tomorrow that matter. I wrote crap for the first twenty-five years. Over the days, weeks and months, it started smelling better, but it was still crap--just perfumed. While I didn't know it at the time, the next 40 years of my voyage was dumping unneeded perfume overboard.
It means a lot to me that you found what I write relevant. And six-worthy!
Jay
Comment from nomi338
I totally lack the discipline to get up at a set time. When I do wander into my home office, I do not routinely do the same thing each morning, well that is after I turn on the lights and my computer. I may start out checking my emails, or checking out FanStory for new posts, or checking for reviews on my latest submission. Somewhere in there I take my medications and perform my daily routine of studying the daily Scriptural Texts. I may have too much material to work on, I am trying to complete my semi-biographical book, my first fiction novel, as well as more poetry. I struggle to fit it all in, while I still take time to play my daily schedule of games. Whew, I get tired thinking about all that I am doing in the span of one day.
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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I totally lack the discipline to get up at a set time. When I do wander into my home office, I do not routinely do the same thing each morning, well that is after I turn on the lights and my computer. I may start out checking my emails, or checking out FanStory for new posts, or checking for reviews on my latest submission. Somewhere in there I take my medications and perform my daily routine of studying the daily Scriptural Texts. I may have too much material to work on, I am trying to complete my semi-biographical book, my first fiction novel, as well as more poetry. I struggle to fit it all in, while I still take time to play my daily schedule of games. Whew, I get tired thinking about all that I am doing in the span of one day.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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We're probably more alike than you are indicating. My email, FanStory reviews and new posts for me to read and review, I must admit, absorb some of my writing time. I justify it by trying to be as honest in my reviewing, and answering another's review of my post, that I can possibly be. There have been times in a long, detailed review (or answer -- as this one is) when I find I'm writing from my creative center.) Don't discredit game playing, either. It can keep the mind sharp. While I don't do that (because I'm so easily discouraged by my lack of ability), but I do study Spanish at least two hours a day, and have for over 3 years, without missing a day. I'm rather proud of that, and I'm sure it also helps to keep my mind sharp.
As always, thank you, Nolan, for weighing in and for your honesty.
Jay
Comment from pome lover
a butterfly with pregnant tendances -- heavens to mergatroid. Does your wife know about this?
Just teasing you, Jay. You write with originality and passion - what more could a publisher ask for?
Good luck in this contest, and keep on keepin' on.
Katharine
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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a butterfly with pregnant tendances -- heavens to mergatroid. Does your wife know about this?
Just teasing you, Jay. You write with originality and passion - what more could a publisher ask for?
Good luck in this contest, and keep on keepin' on.
Katharine
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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No, Hahahaha, a writer doesn't share such things with family -- only other writers. Family would have me committed. Thank you, Katharine!
Jay
Comment from Shirley McLain
I enjoyed reading your writing commentary. I think we all morph into other people when our creative juices start flowing. You do a marvelous job, and don't give yourself enough credit. You have been at this endeavor for awhile, and you have definitely gained knowledge and skill. Keep writing until you can write no more. Enjoy your night. Shirley
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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I enjoyed reading your writing commentary. I think we all morph into other people when our creative juices start flowing. You do a marvelous job, and don't give yourself enough credit. You have been at this endeavor for awhile, and you have definitely gained knowledge and skill. Keep writing until you can write no more. Enjoy your night. Shirley
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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So sweet of you, Shirley. Thank you. I always enjoy hearing from you.
Jay
Comment from country ranch writer
A Bit of advice is for you to keep a journal of your hopes and dreams and add to your thoughts It on a daily basis and then you have something to ponder on when you look back on your writing. Take it everywhere you are going. Sit and watch folks and how they react to each other. You will get the ideas for your stories .I wish you well my friend.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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A Bit of advice is for you to keep a journal of your hopes and dreams and add to your thoughts It on a daily basis and then you have something to ponder on when you look back on your writing. Take it everywhere you are going. Sit and watch folks and how they react to each other. You will get the ideas for your stories .I wish you well my friend.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Hey, B.J. thanks for the tips. I'm the worst at taking notes, but of course, you are right in all you say!
Jay
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So try you might get the hang of it.hugs
Comment from Douglas Goff
This was long, but worth the read. I found myself so engaged that I didn't look for fixes, so there is that.
I also think this explains you better. I tried answering some of the questions you ask yourself and realized that I wrote simoly because I love it. Maybe cause I dont talk much. I'm a thinker. Oh it ain't deep. More of a puddle, wrestling with tough ponderings like who's cooking dinner, and did I pay the electric bill this month?
Good piece, Sir!
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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This was long, but worth the read. I found myself so engaged that I didn't look for fixes, so there is that.
I also think this explains you better. I tried answering some of the questions you ask yourself and realized that I wrote simoly because I love it. Maybe cause I dont talk much. I'm a thinker. Oh it ain't deep. More of a puddle, wrestling with tough ponderings like who's cooking dinner, and did I pay the electric bill this month?
Good piece, Sir!
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Hahaha! That's funny! My thoughts, too, unless they are momentarily corralled by something, tend to gravitate toward dinner and the electric bill.
Jay
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job describing your writing process,
Jay. I enjoyed reading about it. I really liked all of the
comparisons you made with your writing. I liked the
pole vault the best. However, the others supported
the 'why' of your writing. They were all well-thought out.
I could visualize you sitting in front of the typewriter or
computer screen oblivious to everything except the
butterfly.
Thanks for sharing and best wishes in the contest, Jan
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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You did a great job describing your writing process,
Jay. I enjoyed reading about it. I really liked all of the
comparisons you made with your writing. I liked the
pole vault the best. However, the others supported
the 'why' of your writing. They were all well-thought out.
I could visualize you sitting in front of the typewriter or
computer screen oblivious to everything except the
butterfly.
Thanks for sharing and best wishes in the contest, Jan
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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You are so kind, Jan. Thank you for stopping by and weighing in. Yeah, I had fun playing around with the pole vault idea. I'm glad it resonated with you.
Jay
Comment from susand3022
Hi Jay,
I loved reading Why you write. For my part, I like reading you. I find that when your fingers find their way to the keyboard, and begin that dance over the keys, it brings something to the page that's worth reading.
I used to keep a mason jar with little strips of paper in it that had thoughts, ideas, or memories that I needed to write about so if I couldn't think of anything, I could always reach into the jar.
Susan ð???
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Hi Jay,
I loved reading Why you write. For my part, I like reading you. I find that when your fingers find their way to the keyboard, and begin that dance over the keys, it brings something to the page that's worth reading.
I used to keep a mason jar with little strips of paper in it that had thoughts, ideas, or memories that I needed to write about so if I couldn't think of anything, I could always reach into the jar.
Susan ð???
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Wow, Susan! What a wonderful Idea! I can't wait until the mayo is gone. Seriously!
Jay