I haven't posted for a while, and thought it was time I got back onto the mule. Heeyah.
Which is funny, because the writing's been off the mule, too. Sporadic bursts here and there, like milk from the nose and just as attractive. Even though I know what's behind my inability to surge forth and conquer, I haven't been able to get past this hobby horse of an obstacle. You'd think my fear of leaving nothing of consequence behind after my death would at least match my fear of not meeting my own expectations.
Has the well run dry? Is that it? All I've got has been spilt onto the page? I'm an empty vessel, tabula rasa?
Good question.
I hope you weren't expecting me to have an answer. If you're here for more questions, though, I've got those by the barrel, mister.
Here's one:
What's the point of stories? Why write? For that matter, why read? In the larger picture, I mean. We all have our personal reasons for why we do what we do. But on a societal level, what's the true value of fiction? I understand and wholly support finding a path to others' experience. But do you think it works? Are we becoming any more compassionate as a species after centuries of fine, evocative works to learn from? If not for finding compassion and mutual understanding, what's the why of literature?
I can't fool myself into thinking I need an answer laid out before I'll be productive again; even my hindbrain knows a flimsy excuse when one piffles about in front of it. But it's a question worth asking, no? Any thoughts?
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Why do people write? Because they feel their creative juices a flowing, that's why. People write these stories and share them with others to share their inspiration, so that hopefully their inspiration will rub off on their readers.
ReplyDeleteOh hell Laurie, I write just to hear the sound of my own voice. Put that in your literary pipe and smoke it.
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful writing shines through once again! And a fabulous photograph to go along with the sentiment.
@Shigune: creativity, eh? A powerful argument. Creativity is what got us out of the trees (or ocean, depending on yur theory) and into toolmaking, adventurous cuisine, and eventually America's Funniest Videos. Kidding about that last one. But maybe we're just wired to create; we can't help but grab wisps of nothing from the air and make something meaningful of it. I like that. Thanks, dude. Dudette. :)
ReplyDelete@Pam: Ever chivalrous, you are. Thanks for giving me something tangy to put in my pipe; I'm grateful you're out there, speaking your mind and allowing others to listen. Don't ever stop, missy. In a way, your answer works in with Sigune's for me. Creativity is a species-wide urge, but on its most fundamental level it's a singular, solitary endaevor. No one can climb inside your head, and as much as we brainstorm with others, the actual work happens in each of us. I'm scared; hold me? But the joy we feel after finishing a creation? That's a powerful drug, even before anyone else claps their eyes to it. Excellent point.
Thanks as always for your insight and love of my photograph (which I hope to God is public domain. Heh.)