Comments on: The need to write

By: Mary Witzl

Mary Witzl — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:12:52 +0000

Writing gives me a rush too. But I can't imagine writing work that I will never have the pleasure of showing others. I can't help but believe that publishing and then weathering the inevitable criticism helps an author grow.

I loved Salinger's short stories and 'Franny and Zooey'. And of course he had every right to guard his privacy. But I wonder what other work he had in him and what he might have accomplished if he hadn't led such a cloistered life.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:41:15 +0000

Unless they suck.

By: Kimberly Joy Peters

Kimberly Joy Peters — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:37:18 +0000

When I'm writing – seriously writing – I actually get an adrenaline rush. So yes, I think it's fair to say that some people need to write the way others need to jog.

It doesn't matter if you never win a marathon. As long as you are jogging, you are still an athlete.

By: M.R.J. Le Blanc

M.R.J. Le Blanc — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:08:00 +0000

"If someone decides to write a novel because they are going to make tons of money, they are in the completely wrong industry and never will be successful."

So the truth.

I don't know a single published or aspiring-to-be-published writer who writes a novel for the money. Some people are content to never publish. Some what to share the stories with the world. Sure it's great that someone's willing to pay you for your work, but I think we all write the stories we want to read first of all.

By: Heidi Thornock

Heidi Thornock — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:12:18 +0000

Fundamentally, I think this is the approach every successful author takes. Even if someone really believes they have the next great American (insert any other country here) novel, although they may consider the money aspect, ultimately they believe they have a story that needs to be told. I'm not saying their belief is always accurate, but at the base level, real writers write because there is a burning story(ies) in their head that they have to get out on paper. Some are lucky enough that other people think their story is worth sharing.

If someone decides to write a novel because they are going to make tons of money, they are in the completely wrong industry and never will be successful.