Wow is that ever a loaded question!
I’ve lived about a thousand lifetimes so one day I figured it was time to put some of those stories down on paper. Well… figuratively speaking.
I’m a passionate person. I include books - reading and writing - among my passions.
The written word connects our present to the deep past and the far distant future. There’s a secret behind the written word, or hieroglyphics or cuneiform or illustrations or cave paintings- it’s a hand print surrounded by red pigment on a rock wall.
More important, reading is fun, sometimes sad, but always worthwhile.
I think life experience counts. It’s all well and good to live in your mind. Nothing can compare to an active imagination. But when an author has lived a little, it shows by the way she animates her creation. A reader can sense the authenticity behind the words, even in a work of pure fantasy.
I’m not saying you should go out and do everything you write about- God forbid- but when you create a character and a situation, if you borrow from your own life, from people you’ve known, from conversations you’ve overheard or been a part of, when you include bits and pieces of your own soul, I can feel it.
Oh, there are fun books, there’s nothing wrong with fun. I had a great time reading Dan Brown’s shoot ‘em up spiritual adventure Elysian mystery quest, The Da Vinci Code, but there are great books too, like East of Eden.
When a photographer apologized to the Italian actress, Anna Magnani, for all the wrinkles in her face his lighting had produced, rumor has it she said, “Don’t you dare take them out. I worked too hard for those wrinkles.”
Same here Julia. Reading and writing are my passion. By the way I am always so impressed with how you come up with interesting topics for your blog. I just can’t do it! That Italian actress you mentioned, she should be an example to so many out there.
It’s wonderful when an actress doesn’t want to hide her “true” beauty wrinkles and all. I do find writing much easier when I create a character using a past experience.
I was just having a conversation with someone about why I don’t like “pretty boys”….the male model types who are flawless. I love imperfections. That’s what gives people personality, interest, makes them fascinating. And I feel that way about my book characters, too. I want to read about folks with wrinkles and scars and physical imperfections that make them real and interesting, not a male or female model. I feel the same way about my white Pepe Le Pew streak in my hair, and all of my wrinkles and scars. I earned them! I own them!
Hi, Julia. When people ask me why I write books, I tell them because it keeps me so busy I’m not tempted to get a real job.
The truth is closer to yours. Passion. Passion to communicate, to tell stories, to have an effect on how people look at the world.
I’ve tried not to write. It didn’t work out! Those unfinished books drove me crazy until I had to decide - write or go nuts!
I am so grateful you do write because I love your stories!
Beautiful post Julia. “I’ve lived about a thousand lifetimes so one day I figured it was time to put some of those stories down on paper.”
What a wonderful truth!
XXOO Kat
Thanks, Kat. I know you’ve lived a thousand lifetimes!
It’s true, Casey. Write or go nuts. Words to live by.
Jaye - ha! I actually write most efficiently when I’m working because I have no time to waste! However, passion is my great motivator.
Oh Penny, I love imperfections - nothing and nobody is perfect! That’s what makes us such intriguing creatures!
I agree, Amber. I know you put a lot of yourself into your characters.
Hey, Delilah. Sometimes I feel like I’m boring as hell, but thanks! I bet you’d have a tough time finding an actress willing to say that these days. They might say it, but I doubt they’d mean it.
Julia, love this post. It got me thinking again about why I write. I seem compelled to do it. Maybe because I was such a shy kid and an observer. I find people intriguing; that’s why my main career was social work, plus I wanted to help. Now, I write about the things I care about. It’s a hodge podge of writing, but that’s who I am.
Nice quote by the way by Anna Magnani. I just finished acting in a film my grandson shot. Seeing as he’s a student and it’s low budget, the lighting was challenging. As a result, my wrinkles are canyons on film. Oh well, it’s life and a life well lived.
Oh Diana, what a great comment! I understand. My writing is always a hodge podge - just don’t publish all of it. And you are brave! Wrinkles, facial expressions, are interesting. A frozen expression is not.
I know how you feel. This is my love and passion. This is my life and I can’t imagine not being able to do it. It is the best thing ever to express oneself with words.
I am a keeper of the tales. In some other time, I would have been sharing stories around a fire. It is my destiny. Does anyone read what I write? I don’t know. But I write. And the tales are there to entertain or enlighten others.
I can see you there, Anny. Keeper of the tales. Good.
‘I worked too hard for my wrinkles’-I like that.