This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.
This month’s question: What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?
The research without a doubt.
Well, maybe the ability to create emotions with words. Pick the right words and people explode with feeling–well beyond the reach of those puny letters.
OK, maybe it’s the passion that comes with putting into words what I see in my brain–how good that feels.
Hmm… I guess I can’t really call out a favorite. There are just too many pieces I love about writing.
More IWSG articles:
Is NaNoWriMo Important if I Don’t Care About the Word Count?
Should I Continue My Newsletter?
Why do I get so few sales through Google Play?
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
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I guess when I use to write, sadly I don’t have time at the moment. It was a selfish act. I was writing for me, getting those stories out of my head and losing time for awhile. Indulging my imagination and creativity. One day I hope to make those stories come to life. But I have learn’t now one thing at a time is better for me Jacqui and as I finish the final picture book illustrations, I find myself looking at a giant pile of stories and asking myself which one should be next. How fun is that!
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There is a true joy in escaping the world into a story–especially of our own creation because it includes everything. I don’t think that’s selfish. It’s no different than any other hobby. It relaxes us so we can do the Chore stuff with more fervor. Good luck finishing up your illustrations. I can only image how fun that is!
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Thank you, Jacqui. Dare I say so far so good? 😉
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I wonder if that’ll jinx things!
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I’m not the least bit superstitious, actually.
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I love writing! Nearly every aspect of writing, but perhaps my least favourite part is getting the first draft down, which is what I’m doing now during NaNo. I mean, I like it, but much prefer when that rough draft is ready for the revisions, more research, the sculpting and the polishing. 🙂
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That sounds like a perfect job for NaNo. You’ll have a vested interest in moving through it, not dawdling or trying to fix. I hope it works.
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The research is key and its good fun too. I will fact for 5 mins- then spend 5 hours reading back story to Mobutu in Ghana for instance just because it grabs me. I am so much more knowledgeable about the world through research and I love doing it.
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I’m with you. I love getting lost in a topic.
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I love research, too! There’s something uniquely satisfying about falling into a research rabbit hole and not emerging until a different time and place are very real. 🙂
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“Research rabbit hole”–that’s exactly what it is.
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All of the above for me. Plus how you can connect with people through a shared experience. Words are powerful!
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Oooh, that’s a good one, Lana. In your blogs, you share your experiences and show me how they could relate to my world. I don’t know if you even intended that–it’s got a lot to do with your voice.
Glad you pointed this out.
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Yours is the second post that said how much they enjoyed the research. I find that interesting, because for me research is a necessary evil, but I can’t say I really enjoy it. Well, maybe I do, just a bit too much, because I tend to get lost in my research,n then I end up taking a different direction. I have a hard mtime with all those chickens running around.
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Oh I do love it. I have a post coming up about the day I spent researching at the Library of Congress. I couldn’t stop grinning it was so cool.
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So true! Another theory I have about myself is that I am not so good at casual conversation; hence, writing gives me a chance to express what I need to express.
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You’re not the only one, Ankur. One benefit of using social media in classes is that those who can’t speak well in groups usually do much better in a real-time written format. Myself included!
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Interesting question – why do we do anything – it’s one that I’ve never asked myself. Eating, sleeping . . . it’s survival. Perhaps that also applies to artistic expression . . . survival.
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For me, yes, but I think we’ve talked about how earliest man got into art, music–artistic expression when all other animals were simply trying to survive. Maybe it was about survival for him, too. You might be on to something.
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I love trying to evoke an entire world through my words. And I like developing characters, even the ones I would never like as people.
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Me, too. It’s gratifying to create a character you’d like as a friend. Or a pet. I loved it when my sister said she cried when Sandy (in To Hunt a Sub) got into trouble.
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What?! No, don’t tell me. Sob.
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I can’t say what my favorite aspect of writing is either, although I do know which part is my lest favorite, writing the middle. I’m sure with some, if not many, it’s the rewrites they dislike. That isn’t the case with me. I have the basic story and working it into something that’s bound to be better is fun for me.
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I’ll back it up a step and say creating the basic story is very fun for me. From there, it’s all editing. I love the tenth edit, when I finally start pulling everything together.
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Your first answer didn’t surprise me a bit. Seems you are a true fit for the research portion of the writing process. The evoking of feeling is my favorite part.
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Which is probably why I write novels. There’s no way to fit robust research into a poem or story!
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Giggle. Be one heck of a poem!
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Research is probably my least favorite thing. But I can tell you LOVE the research. It really comes through in what you write…very authentic!
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I’m glad to hear that. I do love it. I creates its own story, and plot. I never know where I’ll end up.
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And… and… and…Yes. Too many great things about writing. FYI – I’m posting the review of To Hunt a Sub on Friday. If you get a chance, please stop by and feel free to respond to comments if you’re inclined! 🙂
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Who would think that a career–maybe what could be viewed as a job–would include so much. I have yet to be bored by writing.
Thank you so much for reviewing my book, Diana. I will definitely come visit. I love to see how it strikes others.
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I’ve read a lot of the #IWSG posts and so many of us feel the same–it’s everything, not one thing. What other career can say that?
Oh I will definitely stop by. Thanks so much for reviewing my book. I can’t wait to see your thoughts.
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It’s your passion.
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Passion–so true. I always wish that gift on the kids I teach. What better life than one where you can’t wait to get each day started because it’s part of your passion.
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Terrific answer. How can there be just one reason.
😀
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Probably for some, there is. For me, there are just too darn many.
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There are no wrong answers, right?
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Jacqui, the ability to create words that make people enter into your world and feel the emotions is something very special. Nice answer.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat
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Thanks, Pat. It’s a struggle. Sometimes, I sit, still, unmoving, mouth open (drooling for all I know), just thinking. Trying to put into words what I feel.
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Much like you, I couldn’t pick one thing either. I love it all 🙂
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It’s true, innit? I think some people have one reason why they write, but more of us–it’s who we are.
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I think the research is my second favorite. I get lost in it for weeks and have to finally cite myself off. 🙂
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At heart, I’m a geeky bibliophile. The older I get, the less I care if people know!
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Oooh, I’m glad you said research. That is my FAVORITE part of starting a new story. I LOVE research. In fact, I love it so much sometimes I forget to ever getting around to writing the story but I learn so much!
Happy November,
Jen
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I’m with you, Jen. Often the research guides the entire plot. I see what I uncover and mold the plot around it. So fun.
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Are you practicing to be a politician? (With the election right around the corner.) 😉 I agree–there are so many aspects, it’s supremely difficult to choose just one, but it really boils down to connecting with people for me. =)
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Heehhee. It’s more my inability to pull the trigger. I went car shopping with my son (for his first car) and ended up calling my husband to tell me what I already knew. Good grief!
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Hi Jacqui – I blog because I love the process .. the words and the feedback .. and I can feel authors passion coming through … cheers Hilary (should that have an apostrophe or not??!!)
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And that passion I think is much more evident in blogging than anywhere else. I like blogging as an alternative to the more structured novels and non-fiction.
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I write because I have stories to tell and the best part is telling a story.
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Getting those words on paper so they say exactly what you want them to. Agreed, Andrew.
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Research is definitely one of the best things. Even if you don’t use all your research in your story, you still learn so many strange and interesting things about the world.
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That’s the way I am, James. Then those tidbits roll around in my brain until they find a home in another plotline.
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