This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question is – Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?
I write for two main reasons. One is because I have something to share – with fiction that will be an idea, with my articles and this blog it's usually information I hope people will find useful. The other is similar in a way, as it's my wish to communicate. I expect something to happen after I've sent out my work – a response from an editor (preferably one saying they wish to buy my piece!) or comments on the blog posts. If I don't get any response, then the communication is all one way. I have no idea if the words were read and I feel there was no point in typing them out.
I choose what to write according to my intended readers. For the blog I search out free to enter competitions, news about magazine fiction and other writing related information I hope will be useful. When it comes to short stories, I take into account the magazines' guidelines and readership, or the competition rules. With my novels, I write the kind of books I like to read myself.
How about you? Why do you write what you do?
Free entry writing competitions
This is a monthly competition, offering publication and a book as a prize, for just a few words.
And here's another monthly competition. For this one stories of 1,000 - 3,000 are required and there's a $30 Aus prize, plus publication. Anyone may enter.
21 comments:
I write because I love the challenge of creating something I'm truly happy with... but I need a goal, either a magazine or a competition. Some stories I know I've hit the mark, others are more blah!
Always good to have the free to enter competitions, thank you, Patsy. Just entered the Fortunm and Mason chocolate one from a couple of weeks back.
Alyson
Thanks a lot, Patsy, for sharing the information. It's good to have such free to enter competitions. As an aspiring writer I would make it a point to make my submissions.
Thanks a lot, Patsy, for sharing the information. It's good to have such free to enter competitions. As an aspiring writer I would make it a point to make my submissions.
I think it's so important to write what you like to read.
I write because I want to share my ideas. I write magical realism and ghost stories that inspire people/children to think there is hope in this world when they might think otherwise. My blog I write to give others the idea of what it is like being me with Asperger's and what I write.
I write, primarily because I want to, as escapism, therapy and catharsis. I go along with ados 123 - a goal of some sorts, albeit small or very short term.
Thank you for the competitions, Patsy. Was delighted to receive an email yesterday my story was included in the last free to enter monthly Secret Attic! Now, of course, I have to buy the book ;) I don't - but I want to :) I would say a lot of that down to continued encouragement and support on this blog. Congrats to you as well, Patsy :)
And no one likes a one-way conversation!
I feel the same way, Patsy, most of the time. The other half I write because I don't know what else to do with myself. I keep wondering if I'll ever figure out this life.
@ Alyson – I need a goal too. I couldn't just write for no clear reason, although I don't see any problem with people doing that if it makes them happy.
@ චමින්ද හපුගස්කුඹුර – I try to post up new competitions at least once a week, so hopefully there will be something to suit all writers.
@ Natalie – I agree with you. I write the stories I like and hope others do too.
@ Julie – Giving people hope is a lovely reason to write.
@ Marguerite – Congratulations on being included in the Secret Attic book! That's two of my blog friends as issue buddies with me, as New Girl On The Block was successful too.
@ Alex – Nope!
@ Joylene – If you work it out, please share the answer with the rest of us!
I write because I love to create pictures with words. I often can become very fond of my characters, as if I didn't actually create them at all - more that they've joined me in a creative imaginative enterprise! I like to think that other people may like my characters too, and, like Julie, hope my stories, and characters will inspire and give hope. On a lighter note, I sometimes write to give myself a laugh, and, if I manage to sell the story and make others laugh, too, that's even better! Good wishes Kate Hogan
I write because I have to. It's such an important part of who I am that I can't imagine not writing. It is hard not getting any kind of response to the writing you send out. I'd rather get an outright rejection than nothing at all.
Patsy thank you for these leads every time. Yes actually writing is to communicate. Sometimes it's just one way, sometimes both.
My short stories are the same as your novels. I like what I enjoy reading.
I like to write what I enjoy reading too. Fiction and nonfiction are very different, but my 'themes' are often the same :)
@ Kate – I get fond of my characters too. I can understand why people write long series about the same people.
@ L.G. – I also prefer a rejection to no response. I know what to do about that. We can't just wait and hope forever, can we?
@ Sonia – I suppose some level of communication has been made even if we don't get a response. At least it has if the work was read.
@ Shannon – Seems like the right approach to me.
@ Jemi – Yes, it's possible sometimes to get a similar message in both types of writing.
Thank you for this info Patsy on free writing comps, appreciate it and the efforts you go to to find them
Aly
Thanks for sharing your finds. What a lovely gift.
This is such a practical post with so much good advice and practical observations. Thanks for sharing Patsy.
Anne from annehiga.com
I also write to communicate about my characters lives, about their wants and needs, and about the way live can push and pull our realities into new shapes that change everything we know.
@ Aly, Joylene and Anne – Thanks for commenting. It's good to know theses posts are of interest.
@ Kim – It sounds weird, but it's true that learning about our characters can impact on our own lives.
Thanks for your visit to my blog. Writers are my heroes, and I am endlessly grateful for your inspiration, dedication and hard work.
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