what motivates us?

[Warren_Paul]

This is why I don't understand why more people don't write. I mean, what goes on in a non-writer's head? What do they think about? I can't even imagine not writing.

From my own experience, I'm surrounded by people that don't read or write, I'm the only one in the group of people I know who does. Makes it really hard to find something to talk about. It also makes getting feedback on my work that much harder too.

They all just look at me strangely if I start talking about writing or what I'm working on, but if I didn't all that would be going through their mind is sports or cars, or the last tv show they watched, or something on the news, but mostly sports. Which also makes it hard for me to join in, since I have absolutely no interest in sports.

That seems to be what goes through their minds; sports, sports, sports. Guess that's why they get out and play sports all the time, its their outlet, just like writing is ours.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Yep, my mother thinks I'm mad, my hubby's fairly tolerant but getting less so as time goes on (although he has just helped me with an edit so he's lovely really) and as far as I can see there is only one other sci fi writer in the vicinity (and I only know them because of the Chrons) - and we're technically not even in the same country.

Which is why the Chrons is a lifeline.

Having said that I did spend the weekend watching Ireland lose at the rugby; I think I preferred the tenth edit of that awkward scene in retrospect....

 

[Venusian Broon]

That seems to be what goes through their minds; sports, sports, sports.

I think (for men only obviously) sports is the assumed to be the 'common ground' upon which any conversation can be easily greased with. I watch a touch of sports and know my way around, but am not bothered really at all by it, however it's enough when I meet a not so close acquaintance that I can strike a conversation with them in the pub about whatever pulava has happened footie-wise.

In reality they are probably just as bored with sports as I am!

I mean, what goes on in a non-writer's head?

That is a scary, but interesting, thought. I have friends and family who loudly boast/whine/guffaw that they are not creative at all (we should include everyone that is creative at this point, not just writers, it strikes me at this point). Maybe they are just too tired from their jobs -that I can understand. But I just can't imagine what they are thinking if they really don't think they can create; to me they might as well be robots.


For those that believe that they are frauds (crispenycate et al.), I don't believe you - I think all humans create and innovate one way or another. I guess you're just a trifle modest

 

[Phoenixthewriter]

My brain motivates me. It never shuts up and never stops creating scenarios or stories. I have little time to actually get those thoughts on paper, but when I do it's a godsend.

Initially it all started with Final Fantasy and my adolescent mind believing I could come up with a better story than those games (despite how much I liked them). Now I do it to get my thoughts on paper. If someone someday decides to pay me for it, so much the better.

I will admit though, my initial WIP got lost somewhere along the way, and I am having a hard time bringing myself back to it.

 

[hopewrites]

I wish I had said that (and it's true), but I think those are Mouse words, not mine.

I write, therefore I am. Indeed. Twas I.

you sound so alike in my head I confuse you, sorry. (yes I just admitted to giving posters voices in my head. welcome to my insanity)

I mean, what goes on in a non-writer's head? What do they think about?

well before I started writing, I could honestly call myself a 'non-writer' couldn't I? but I was always a story-teller. and that's a big difference. Kind of like in the body you can have a heart beat if your not breathing, but if your heart isnt beating there is not breath. One can be a story-teller, without being a writer, but I have a hard time seeing how one could be a writer without bring a story-teller.
but back to answering your question; life. Everyone thinks about life, constructs their version of reality around them, populates it with familiar faces and things, and defends it against marauding invaders. The key difference I am aware of is that Story-tellers are aware of these machinations and attempt to disseminate this awareness amongst the masses.

 

[Kaladan]

FAME. POWER. GLORY. WOMEN. BACON.

'Cause that's what you get, right? RIGHT??

...

In that case I do it for a number of significantly less selfish reasons. I suppose.

It really depends on what I'm doing.

I used to write a bunch of short stories about a Russian Cold War veteran who was constantly drunk (naturally), surrounded by his old comrades and a mad German scientist. All of his friends and contacts were militant lunatics. As much as I enjoyed writing about him and coming up with crazy new adventures for him, I mainly wrote them to entertain the guys at work and others in the community I originally posted them to.

The serious stuff was purely for my own satisfaction and enjoyment, to be honest.

(but there's always the bacon.)

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Well, if you can have bacon from writing, that's nice for you.

For me, it's about sheer entertainment.



But thanks for reminding me, Kaladan. I need to restart an old series of mine, see if I can get it back. Crazy new adventures....yes....

 

[Mouse]

you sound so alike in my head I confuse you, sorry

Scary stuff!

well before I started writing, I could honestly call myself a 'non-writer' couldn't I? but I was always a story-teller. and that's a big difference. Kind of like in the body you can have a heart beat if your not breathing, but if your heart isnt beating there is not breath. One can be a story-teller, without being a writer, but I have a hard time seeing how one could be a writer without bring a story-teller.
but back to answering your question; life. Everyone thinks about life, constructs their version of reality around them, populates it with familiar faces and things, and defends it against marauding invaders. The key difference I am aware of is that Story-tellers are aware of these machinations and attempt to disseminate this awareness amongst the masses.

Well obviously I know people think. I guess I worded it wrong.

I can't imagine not writing/not thinking about writing. I've written stories since primary school.

I can't imagine not eating. It's the same thing for me.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be somebody who doesn't write. There. Think that's what I was trying to say!

 

[Interference]

Bacon is also an entertaining writer, Karn