Is writing enjoyable?

[reiver33]

I find the realisation I have a story line in my head, that stage in the creative process, enjoyable - and 'all' that's left is getting it down on the page - boring!

I used to have a slight hesitation in my speech when young as my mouth couldn't keep up with the flow of words I was trying to get out and would fall over one while trying to form another 10 places down the line.

In a similar vein I sometimes hesitate to start writing as I know I can't keep up with the rush of narrative that my mind will dictate. It means I will have to revisit a piece several times and try to spot the bits I didn't put in previously, if that makes sense. Unfortunately while this may result in more complete and well-crafted prose, it sometimes triggers the 'boring!' reaction that is the death-knell of creativity.

[Blackrook]

I have the opposite problem. My mouth moves much faster than my brain and I type faster than I think. I never know what I'm going to say before I say it and I never know what I'm going to write before I write it.

[reiver33]

For me it can be like a log jam leading to frustration leading to the abandonment of the whole damn thing!

[Blackrook]

Don't. Your stuff is good.

[reiver33]

I recently composed a new segment, without the informal 3-page limit I use when posting on here, and it came out at 9 pages. However, I'm now worried I'm being too verbose...

Enjoyable? Hum....

[Blackrook]

I have three chapters, each 8-12 pages double-spaced.

[reiver33]

I run to about 400-500 words per page (in Word). So far I'm up to about 22 pages. So far it's still enjoyable as I'm 'cramming' in all the bits I previously pared away.

[SJAB]

It would be if I could get the time to switch off the rest of the world for a few days and just write. Made the mistake of getting a new job, which seems at the moment to eat up my time and strength.

[Saeltari]

The process, forced action of sitting/tying myself somewhere to write is not at all fun and often exceedingly difficult if not painful; but past that, the act of writing itself, is often pure pleasure.

[Blackrook]

It's easiest for me to write very early in the morning when my mind is fresh.

[Saeltari]

Originally Posted by Blackrook

It's easiest for me to write very early in the morning when my mind is fresh.

My mind hasn't been fresh since I was 8.

[reiver33]

I prefer late night/early morning (per-dawn) as there is less background noise, and the TV tends to be REALLY crap with nothing I might consider watching. I live on the very edge of town - as in my next door neighbours are cows in the field - and when I hear the birdsong I know its time to stop...

[Ursa major]

So it's not the muse you need, but some moos. Amazing. Oh, and twitter....

[Boneman]

For me, there is more love than hate, I am driven to write because I need to get it down, and I seem to be able to write, take a break, write, take a break and not have the flow affected. I love it when the words flow and I give vent to them (knowing I'll have to edit them later) and I hate it when I'm staring at the screen searching for a word, a phrase, a direction. I also hate it when I have to do some chores, or work when I want to write.....

John Grisham hates writing. I read 'The Associate' recently, and I am utterly convinced that he wrote it because he had a contract with the publishers, no other reason whatsoever. Great start, weakish middle and the ending? There isn't one. I see him at his workdesk thinking 'how am I going to finish this?' and then saying "sod it, I hate it so much I won't bother...." I am really glad I hadn't bought the book!

[daisybee]

In a word-yes.

Thats why I spend so much of my free time doing it. It isn't always easy-but I enjoy improving things or trying to, and if I get frustrated it isn't exactly with writing, but my writing ability.

Writing poetry is something that I do because its brilliant. Cathartic and creative and brain calming. The end results may not quite match my enjoyment, but who cares? The process is poetry for me, whatever the outcome.