Can writing be fun?

[Anthony G Williams]

Originally Posted by Interference

I feel I have to write out of a duty to the worlds inside my head and the world outside that, in my most ego-centric moments, I believe should be made aware of what I'm aware of...

That's different - that's the result of internal pressure rather than external (i.e. paying the bills).

[Tillane]

Originally Posted by Anastasia

However, a couple of years ago she was really upset to be dropped by a major publisher becuase she'd 'only' sold 50,000 copies.

*Tillane picks himself off the floor.*
Oh, to 'only' sell 50,000 copies of a novel. Oh, to have an agent actually pick up one of my novels - or even just send me a nice rejection letter...

Originally Posted by Anastasia

I don't actually think I'd want to try to make money from writing novels. The pressure would just be too much and I'd never be happy with it. My stories are things are write to amuse myself - the sort of stories I'd love to read but aren't published.

I'd love to have the opportunity to make a living writing novels. In no way do I expect it'll ever happen, but it'd be great. I can't imagine anything I'd enjoy more than writing fiction for a living, and while I agree that the pressure of deadlines and the like could be pretty intense, I think I'd kind of thrive on that.

Ah, I can dream... For the minute, my writing is mostly geared to providing me with amusement (and maintaining what little sanity I have left), and occasionally providing a little entertainment for friends, family and anyone else who's interested in reading my stuff. If it stays that way, fine. If one day an agent/publisher agrees to take on my stuff...even better.

[Green]

I love the editing part There's nothing better than slashing away with the red pen. It's like free therapy.

I'd love to be a successful, full-time author, but I know that if I was forced to pick one dream job in the world, where I'd still keep the job even if I was awful at it... it wouldn't be writing. There's hard work in there as well as the fun! I'd still do that in my spare time though.

The dream job would be painting citadel miniatures. Which makes me just about the saddest person ever But I love that ****. Listening to music all day while laying down the paint. Ah, misspent youth...

[scalem X]

The dream job would be painting citadel miniatures.

Open a game shop then?

My ideal job would be writer-bartender or writer-surfer.

[JonCG]

It's fun when you start, brilliant when you get published, and then the fear kicks in... you've got to do it again, you're got to do it to deadlines, and you've got to function - more or less - as a human being while you do it. Ultimately, I think, writing is an addiction. (But if you don't enjoy your addictions what hope have you got!)

[Green]

Originally Posted by JonCG

It's fun when you start, brilliant when you get published, and then the fear kicks in

Exactly I'm better at what I actually do for a living. I've no illusions about that. When it comes down to paying the bills, writing is just a pipe dream (same with painting the miniatures ).

[Anastasia]

You see my dream is to make it as a successful academic and non-fiction author, whilst secretly writing a world-changing novel (something along the lines of 1984) which will be published under a pen name only associated with myself after my death at the age of 100. My novel will win the Nobel prize for literature and change the face of the English novel forever.

So, no pressure.

Oh, and I'm going to write this great work in my summer holidays, for a laugh.

Did I mention I was nuts?

[hippokrene]

Originally Posted by Anastasia

Hmm, you see I have this view that maybe you should enjoy everything you do, or not do it at all. I think I've been influenced by Buddhist thinking, particularly the Dalai Lama's take on life. You know, the journey is as important as arriving etc.?

I don't enjoy breathing or going to the bathroom, so I'm seeing a flaw in your philosophy when applied to my life.

[Green]

People have to go to work, as well. If we all sacked it in because it wasn't fun, then the world would fall apart. Piece by piece, like a cake that doesn't fit on the plate.

[Birol]

The Buddhist philosophy isn't do what you enjoy, but enjoy what you do. A subtle but important difference.

[Frank menser]

IMO.....Life gives you two work options. The first is to work for a living. Baring sickness and injury you work at what brings you the best income to pay your bills. Basically you work the job because you have to.

The second option is to do your life's work. Not many people actually get to do this comparred to the other, because one's life ambition/dream job often does not pay all that well.

I spent my first 50 years doing work I had to do to pay the bills. At fifty, I was lucky enough to start writing seriously. Fun....you better believe its fun-except when writer's block sets in...But hey, it beats the back breaking physical work I did for many years...and I wake up and go to sleep knowing I am spending my time doing what I want, instead of waking up at eighty wondering why I never tried.

What more fun or satisfaction is there than knowing you are doing what you believe you were meant to do?

~Frank

[scalem X]

The Buddhist philosophy isn't do what you enjoy, but enjoy what you do. A subtle but important difference.

It all depends on what school of Buddhism you are in, but isn't it just the opposite? The Buddha preached that life was suffering and even the parts you enjoy give way to later suffering and thus one needs to stop all motivated moves, and try not to do something while one wants it, but just do stuff.
Like you can eat an apple, but you can't long for an apple before you eat it and can't think mm nice apple while you eat it. If you enjoy the apple, you later on might long for the same enjoyment, which will lead to suffering.

In fact I think we can conclude writing can be fun, it can also be hard work or a bit of both.

[Anastasia]

Originally Posted by scalem X

It all depends on what school of Buddhism you are in, but isn't it just the opposite? The Buddha preached that life was suffering and even the parts you enjoy give way to later suffering and thus one needs to stop all motivated moves, and try not to do something while one wants it, but just do stuff.
Like you can eat an apple, but you can't long for an apple before you eat it and can't think mm nice apple while you eat it. If you enjoy the apple, you later on might long for the same enjoyment, which will lead to suffering.

I think you have the gist. As far as I know, all schools of Buddhism teach that the source of true happiness is to live in the moment, and that desire causes suffering. Mindfulness (ie being aware of every moment and being present in the here-and-now) is a good practice, even if you aren't religious in any way.

I have learned quite a bit of Zen Buddhism through studying karate. I also visited a Tibetan Buddhist teacher for a while, but I concluded the religious path isn't for me.

With regards to your writing, I suppose I am saying that it is your desire to write something great that is causing you suffering - and hindering your writing. But mindfulness would enable you to live in the present, and just write, because you write without worrying about how good or bad the results will be. I often try a mini-meditation, just concentrating on my breathing a few mintues, before starting to write, and I tell myself to just be in the moment and write what I think, without censure. I come up with some junk, but I've also written some pretty good stuff that way.

I can recommend the book written with the Dalai Lama, which has been a huge influence on me, "The Art of Happiness".

[scalem X]

I think you have the gist.

Hopefully I have, still waiting for my grades on Buddhism, argh why can't they give them right away, anyway should be thinking about Japanese tomorrow Nihongo Nihongo...

As far as I know, all schools of Buddhism teach that the source of true happiness is to live in the moment

I'm affraid the wording of 'true happiness' is awfully chosen. Since all life is suffering, you are suffering anyway. You can through enlightenment eventually get rid of the suffering and end your rebirths, but there is no such thing as happiness in early Buddhism. Most schools like Zen and Tantric buddhism are only derivates and have mixed ideologies. (tantrism originated in hinduïsm, zen (ch'an) uses Taoist bases) Maybe you could replace happiness, by 'salvation' or something more alike.

[Theed]

I think this differs with each person, of course, but to me -- writing is fun. Yes, it can be work sometimes, getting through those tough parts where you write something and you know for a fact you're going to ditch it the next day. I get a kind of high while writing, though -- where I just have to keep going and going until my brain is too shot. Some days are better than others, but since I've been writing, I'd say it's been fun.