The question: "Why write?" is one I always ask myself. My problem is not lack of time, I can make tons of that for myself, it's answering that question to myself in a way that has rigour enough to satisfy me. I can't think of meaningful enough reasons for doing it. That's why I can't get myself to do anything with the memoir I began... just the possibility that my grandkids might like to know about some of my life story doesn't cut the mustard. So, where's the value to me? This woman may give me some insights to encourage me to take the trouble to write stuff on a daily basis, if only just for personal emotional and psychological reasons... e.g, dumping, expressing joy about something I experienced, spiritual explorations that have startled me in some way... maybe these are some reasons for recording the ephemeral parade of my ego's life and, at times, even, my soul's journey. Otherwise, recording my 'story' seems to amount to nothing more than passing fluff, and what's the use of that?
(My correspondent is also a sculptor, graphic artist and musician.) I replied:
Why write? I think it's different for the multi-talented; you might well feel more like expressing yourself some other way, being creative in a different medium. For myself, writing is a sort of compulsion, albeit one I passionately enjoy.
I think we do it first for ourselves, because it fulfils something within us, and that the wish to communicate it comes second. (A close second, mind you!)
Your issues might be to do with self-worth. (Why not do it just for your own sake?) Or they might be to do with preferring other forms of artistic endeavour. If the former, the journalling advice would obviously help. If the latter - well, life's too short to waste on things you don't enjoy; stick to what you do love.
In my experience, our children and grandchildren do want to know our stories. If you don't enjoy writing the memoir, how about a scrapbook with photos, and notes related to them? You could maybe expand some of the notes into brief vignettes and reminiscences.
I should have added that she (unlike those of us with fewer gifts) might also draw in the suggested scrapbooks.
Rosemary, I agree with your response to your talented correspondent. Many writers are also talented in arts and music. The bottom-line question that I "hear" in her voice is, "Of what value is my writing to the world?" She is concerned that writing for one's own sake is just fluff. I believe that if one has a desire (or compulsion) to write, then she should write for heaven's sake!
ReplyDeleteI also write a guest blog about journaling for womensmemoirs.com. In a recent post, I quoted Anne Frank, who wrote: "Sometimes I very much doubt whether in the future anyone will be interested in all my tosh. 'The unbosomings of an ugly duckling' will be the title of all this nonsense."
If Anne Frank had decided not to write so much "fluff," it would have been the world's loss.
If I don't write my memoir because I'm worried that it won't be good or valuable enough, who knows what might be lost by my critical view of myself?
So, lovely correspondent, I say: If you have a desire to write, then write, and don't worry so much about whether or not it has value. We sing and paint and learn to fly, not because it has value, but because it feels good. The value takes care of itself.
Sincerely, and with love -- Amber
Lovely, thank you Amber! I'll make sure she and others see this. :)
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