Creative Writing - Self-Expression or Sustenance?
By Geoas
@ashjoe76 (1422)
India
8 responses
@zenmachado (1617)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Really its all about self expression. Even when you attemp to write fiction things having nothing to do with events about your life or personal beliefs, you always end up writing about what you know. So like it or not, a piece you always ends up being pasted on the page. So what not have it be something that you really do care about?
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
11 Feb 07
I think it's initially for self-expression. Thoughts seem to come into my head and I feel an urge to put them on paper.
It would be really nice to make money from them, but until recently, when I got a gentle push and a lot of encouragement from a friend on Mylot, I hadn't even thought about earning from my work. Now, I'm finding that a lot of people actually like my poems and I think possibly I could have made money from them, but the main thing I want to do is put them together and treasure them, as I do with work from my friends.
@silver_moon525 (282)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Personally, I write for self-expression. But moreover, not just expressing my feelings but also putting into words what I feel and think that normally people can't say aloud. I know it may not make much sense, but to write... it's like putting something to life. All your dreams, and fantasies could be put into something solid and almost something "real" from an abstract thought to words. Many times, I write to ease my bottled up feelings or perhaps when my mind is pondering I come up with this crazy wild idea that definitely won't happen in real life. So I write it down and when it is written down, the idea feels tangible.
I wish I could make money off of my creative writings but I feel like my writing is not exactly up to par for publishing purposes although it is my dream to be a bestseller.
1 person likes this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
11 Feb 07
I think creative writing is truly an art form and a matter of self expression. There'a a big difference between writing creative and writing to tell a story I think. Those that write to story tell, such as novels, etc. do so I think for both self gratification and hope of money and fame.
To me creative writing is a form of self expression through art, much like sculpting or painting.
@ESKARENA1 (18260)
•
11 Feb 07
well ive been writing academic text books for going on 20 years and always thought it was the only writing worth doing. However, i have recently started writing for plesure and have published a few diary books and one or two fantasy pieces, i was suprised how much i enjoyed it. What I feel is the factual stuff pays the rent, the fantasy stuff is for fun.
1 person likes this
@cultoffury (1283)
• India
12 Feb 07
It depends, most of the writers start it for self-expression, but once they are paid, they started doing it for money. But at that phase most artists loose their elegance and charm. So, in my opinion, a writer's work is enjoyable only until he does not care for money. Once money comes in front of him, things change.
1 person likes this
@smartie1685 (450)
• United States
11 Feb 07
I love to write for self-expression but mainly I just love to write. I love to see words that I have written on a page and words that I have typed on a computer screen. I love to see my thoughts written on paper and even to see notes that I have written for class. Since I do love to write so much, it is what I want to make a living off of. I'm just hoping that it will be able to provide for me more once I get out of college.
1 person likes this
@misskatonic (3722)
• United States
11 Feb 07
I do believe you can write for the masses and still take your writing seriously. It's a fine line to walk, but it's possible. Even if you're writing cardboard cutout plots for mass production, you can still take pride in it and devote yourself to it. There is always mystery and joy in writing, if we don't let ourselves become too jaded.
I write for a variety of reasons. I'm good at it, I make some money off of it, I enjoy it, I want to share my ideas and my words with others, and I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment whenever I finish something. There are elements of self expression, certainly, and elements of finance-seeking, but my writing is for neither just one or the other.
1 person likes this
@mama_of_two (268)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I have to say that I mostly write for self-expression. Writing about my feelings and emotions on certain subjects or issues makes my opinion of things being read by others. Having others comment on them, in a way, is somewhat important, but will not hurt me if they agree or not. It doesn't hurt my feelings, unless they decide to criticize me in a way that makes me feel bad. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism, as long as they don't put me down. If they put me down, then this becomes a problem.
Well, I somewhat got off of the subject, but these are just my feelings on this subject.
I also write about things that need to be explained, such as for school or for my web site (not up yet) about certain subjects that my site will be about.
