Are we what we write? This is a question I often ask myself as I write my stories. Of course to a certain extent we are what we write. For example, I write when I am happy and I write when I am sad. I write to motivate people and to teach. The former statement reflects my emotions while the latter reflects my counseling and teaching ability. I write about topics of interest to me, and I refuse to write about topics which do not appeal to me. There is a lot to be said about getting to know a writer through the topics and or genre they chose. But is it the whole picture?
There are some writers who will write about anything; for money, fame, or simple attention. I am not saying there is anything theoretically wrong with that. Writing is a business, a profession like any other. For people who make a living out of writing, they will write whatever will pay the bills. They may be a sports writer, a travel writer, a freelance writer and so on. They see an opportunity to write on a subject sometimes knowing very little about it, but do their homework. They do the research and produce a quality article which in turn keeps them gainfully employed.
Again are these people what they write? Does it mean that a sports writer is an avid sports fan? A colleague of mine is a technical writer for a large company. She hates her job; finding it tedious and boring though she loves to write. Besides very little interest in technology, she tells me she is technically challenged. She is unable to setup a computer or DVD player. What she can do is research and she has the ability to clearly explain directions on how to use technical devices.
Writing is very similar to the performing arts. Is an actor a homosexual because he plays one in the movies? You would be surprised how many people cannot differentiate the actor from the person. Similar to writing, some actors will take only the roles they truly believe in, while others will take any role to be employed. I make no judgments as everyone must make their own way in the industry, whether it be acting or more to the point of this paper, writing.
By now you should be getting the point that I personally do not believe that writers are 100 percent what they write. I think for most people it is a balancing act between getting paid and in some cases upholding one’s moral integrity. I for one would not write a scathing article full of propaganda and lies simply to get paid. If I don’t believe in what I am asked to write, I simply won’t write it.
Similarly I will not write that I saw an alien spaceship descend upon my roof and abduct my cat. You see not only do I have integrity as a writer; I know that certain people will judge me for what I write. In turn they will believe that I am a liar, a sensation hound, a profiteer, lunatic or all of the above. I care about what people think of me.
Yet I am what I write but not entirely. By now I know some of you are saying that I just negated everything I said in the former paragraph; actually I have not. If I write about a situation that happened to me as a little girl, the story is true, it happened to me, but the feelings that I attribute to the story are the feelings that I felt at the time I was that little girl. Some novice writers do not yet possess this skill.
I just finished critiquing an article for someone who was attributing adult understanding to something that happened to him as a child. I had to explain to him that a six year old does not possess that kind of cognitive functioning. He needed to go back to the time in question and remember how he felt at six years old, not how he feels about it today as a grown man.
For some people the written word is as it was and ever more shall be. I once wrote a story about how my son hated mushrooms at six years old. Today he is 30 and loves them. You would be surprised how many people think he still hates mushrooms.
What really pains me as a writer is to be misunderstood. I am responsible for making things clear, but I am not responsible for how readers will perceive my words. They can take things out of context or misunderstand the article. These factors are attributed to level of education, reading ability, ability to focus on the key points in an article and so on.
Once I wrote an article about not having friends as a young child. I briefly mentioned how I never cared about playing with dolls; my dogs actually became my friends. One reader wrote back with a lengthy comment about dolls. Although I appreciated the comment as I appreciate each and every comment I receive on my stories, this one left me wondering if this reader understood what the article was actually about.
Having said that, people will react to what resonates with them and I am happy when my life can parallel with others. It tells me that I have touched someone in that special way.
Unfortunately, sometimes my writing touches people in the wrong way. If I write that I had no friends when I was 10, it does not mean that I have no friends today. If I say that I was shy as a child it does not have to mean that I am shy today. If I was afraid of something then it means literally then and not necessarily now. I have had at least 40 years to overcome that fear. Am I what I write? Yes and no, it depends upon the time period I am writing about. Writers grow just like every other human being.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 73
If we try to write about something we don't like or aren't interested in, I would imagine one would have to have some really great writing skills so they don't show their lack of interest or thoughts on the matters they write about.
I must admit I try to write about the things that interest me the most because they are things I am familiar with...however I have tried to write about a few other things as I try to figure out what I actually do enjoy writing.
writing for the skilled professional is that way, they are good at what they do.
of course people with less skills cannot do that, and so we all go with what we know which generally speaking is the premise we follow in writing,
there are people however that can rise above it and write anything because they have the skills to do it.
I had a friend in high school like that. He was a very skilled writer at such a tender age, he never did his homework, but he knew how to write and he would write reports without even knowing the work he was writing about.
I asked him how he could do it because I certainly couldn't and he said you just have to know the phrases and ideas the teacher is looking for, make a case and defend it and voila an instant A
Something you do just for money doesn't really represent you. It's a means of continued survival.
Now, for those people who write from what they believe, or a story they want to tell, far more is put into the work.
So, with that in mind, we could take the stance that all art reflects at least a few of the aspects of the creator, and writing is no different.
but if the writer was all over the place not clear, mixed up etc then that person is the one at fault. literature is a two way street, good writing and good reading ability
I think generally speaking, sometimes writers write out of anger and regret it later.
Personally I have never regretted anything I wrote. I sometimes regret who I allowed read what I wrote, but not that I wrote it.
I was just thinking as I read your article about a time in my life when I didn't know that I was not my writing, neither style nor subject, and that was a painful time. Thinking back on those feelings now, I find I can smile.
I like that alot Carol. I think you made a very good point there. I have written stories about some things that have happened to me as a child, and I write the feelings I had at the time of the incident. I have gotten a few nasty comments, saying that it sounds like a child wrote the article. That is exactly what I was trying to do.
there is a big difference between not having the skills to write like an adult
writing a children's story
and writing a story about a child for adults
Carol, thank you for the wonderful, thought provoking article.
I have the helm cranked all the way over, but this old barge is taking a long time to come around!
I remember when I was a child, a friend and I decided to tell each other stories. This friend began telling me a "scary" story and eneded up scaring himself more than he did me!
does that mean you are in real life? Maybe yes, maybe know. My whole point summed up.
I am not what I write, but what I write is me....
For writing that comes naturally and fluidly from my mind is from me, inspired by many a source.... writing that I HAVE TO do for class or some other thing thT I do not truely want to do but just go through the machanics of writing, that is not so much me...
My best poems (this drives my wife crazy) are the ones that flow like cream from the spout all creamy and pure... they happen to me through me and are me and yet are more then me because I am not truly my own inspiration.... God is, Gather is, You are and my children are and the rain is and the spirit is .... while I have not completed all the thoughts I am having at the moment I am happy to say that what you have inspired me to write here is me, but it is me inspired by you and the others who have commented here...
Hugs,
your in my prayers Carol.
Darcey D.
I write about the paranormal because I have had a number of personal experiences that led me to believe that there is much more to this world than we can actually determine with our five senses. I write about the paranormal because I am fascinated with it, as are many other people. I write about the paranormal because it is a field that I know and am familiar with. I also write about the paranormal to make people think outside the box - to expand their perception of what reality actually is - to open their minds to things they might never have considered before.
Yes, some if it is very strange and perhaps even wacky, but that is for the reader to decide - not me. I simply present the information and let people make up their own minds.
In this case, the paranormal IS me, but not all of me. I also write personal stories based on factual experiences in my life. These (I hope) are presented with a great depth of feeling that truly reflects who I am as a person.
There are a few instances when I've basically "sold out" my writing for money. This does not happen often, but as you can well understand, there are bills that must be paid. (Life can be tough.) However, I would not go so far as to endorse something I don't believe in or write on a subject that I really dislike or give opinions that I don't believe myself. I need to feel at least a little bit "invested" in what I write or the end product would be a disaster.
You do see my point, writing about the paranormal is a part of you, but not all of you. And for a reader to look at you and say this is a crazy nut (I do not think that way) who writes about paranormal, just because they don't believe in it. Does not know Martha Jette, they have reduced you to one aspect of your personality, the one that believes in the paranormal, and you know I do too, but I do not take every claim at face value.
I did miss your point, and thank you for explaining it, I have been thinking about this subject ever since reading your artical yesterday, and I have learned a few very important things to consider ,in my aspirations to become a good writer, it has also made me ask myself ,exactly what kind of writer I aspire to become , Thank you so much you have made me aware of quite a few areas, to be considered when writing. Thank you
Darcey D.
You wrote a well thought out, interesting article, that made me consider what and why I write what I do.
Thanks
I think we are what we write when we write about everyday occurrences in our life, whether it be love, anger, pain.
The English language can so easily be misinterpreted if not read properly.
I am a very passionate person, especially when it comes to cruelty of children and animals but I like to write mysteries and murder stories. Now you got me thinking that maybe deep down I would like to get my hands on a few people that commit horrendous crimes against them. (potential Mass murderer ) Scary thought!
Thanks for a great article.
I like to put my
The purpose of writing is to reach people which you certainly have done here with your article judging by the responses. Good job!
How readers perceive what you wrote is, as you pointed out, something which is out of your control. Think of the great religious writers whose articles have spawned whole new theisms, and in some instances caused tremendous death and upheaval. Fortunately, I don't think you will have sparked social mayhem with this piece. You neatly avoided the use of any inflammatory words.
But what we say, and how we say it, does provide some insight into who we are as individuals. Sometimes, our writing can even tell more about us than we intended to reveal in the first place.
Keep writing!
I can write an article on the benefits of abortion,
I can also write an article on why abortion is wrong
I can do either very well. I get the research etc.
Which side of the coin am I on? You do not know do you.
I write because I am the happiest when I write. I am not all of what I write otherwise I would be a ghost, dogs, a murderer, a mother who lost a child, etc.
I often do research before I write plays.
Who I am often comes through my writing.
Thanks again for leading an invigorating discussion.
I am an actress as well as a writer and I found myself keying in on what actors had to say.
For me, I always bring pieces of myself to a role or a write. I have myrad emotions, experiences, educations, oh on and on. And then there is the third element. The result of me and what I know, the antitheiss of everything I don't know and have to experience in the course of the project, and the end result. The third element. An understanding that supercedes what I began with. An Example:
At the age of 26, I was asked to try out for the role of an eighty year old, by the writer of the play. I got the role. But I could not for the sake of me figure it out. My voice became high and screetchy like many people sound like when imitating a not so popular grandmother or aunt. My posture was pathetic. I spoke my lines without content. Because I am a writer and actor with severe integrity, I prayed about it. Again and again. The director was becoming so inflamed with me, I wanted to quit, because he had become abusive. Now I realize that he was simply frustrated. Thus I sat in front of the mirror just before reheasal, wondering if I should just tell the director and playwright that I couldn't do it. Suddenly, I started to try the voice one more time. It immediately dropped into my chest and became authentic. The director was extremely pleased. But there was still the content, and the bearing of this woman who was extremely funny, the charactor I am talking about, but who in the end tells the audience how it really is for her and it was a hell of monologue. That night I had a dream. I was looking out from inside someone else, a woman, who was extremely popular and from the responses I recieved....I was her, she was me....I was quite beautiful and I was twenty six. Then we transported to a party and I was forty or fifty. While still engaging and many people still around and having fun with me, I was feeling a bit left out, especially when a young and upcoming debutante would enter the room. We then scaled to sixty, and I had a few friends and a severe emptyness inside. Then eighty. I, she, was walking down the sidewalk in a city as large as New York, and people were not looking me in the eye. They looked away. The dispair I felt was beyond anything I had known.
After waking up, I could not shake the feeling that someone had visited me during the night to show me that I was the vessel who was needed to speak for those who could not.
I had a great aunt who had been angry with me for studying acting. She saw it as a fools path. However she did attend my first night. To say that I understood something that I shouldn't have is the absolute truth. People were crying with compassion. And when I went down stairs after the play to get the makeup off, my Great Aunt was there. She was beside herself. And the thing I remember most was that she said she wished she had brought her mother who was eighty to the play. It would have helped her to hear what I had to say. She wouldn't feel so alone. Later I received a beautiful rose in a vase with sprinklings of baby's breath. A card with it said, "To The Actress" and it was signed by my Great Aunt.
Since then I will honestly say that whether performing or writing I have recieved visions, dreams, you name it...that all brought me to the third piece. Understanding.
I was always me.
But... is that not one of the reasons we write?....
For some neo-hardboiled, check out my Borders/Court TV first chapter at
The Hard Bounce