Monday, May 14, 2012

Just another link in the blog chain.


"Why do you write?"

     It was the 30th of November, and my hands were sore. I was typing gibberish quite frantically as the clock ticked towards midnight and failure. Nyan Cat was the only song upbeat and innocuous enough to keep my hands moving. I detested it. That is what led me to a crying nervous breakdown while writing my (absolutely awful) absurdist fantasy novel.


     Now, somebody who was not completely familiar with the writer-ly sort of attitude may ask a completely reasonable question. With a strange look on his face, he may ask me: WHY?


I just think that this is adorable. 
     Why on earth do I put myself through the ordeals of writing? Why are the pain and the suffering and the keyboard calluses even worth it, not to mention the editing? 


     There are many answers I could give to that, but none really pin the tail on the metaphorical donkey. 


     I can't claim that beautiful words just magically stream through my Dixon Ticonderoga* on to a page, partly because I'm out of pencils, but also because I'm not particularly talented. I mean, I like to think that I'm not too bad at writing, but I also can't seem to harness that uncanny ability to make words into poetry.


     As cool as it would be to be a published author, it isn't really a goal of mine. Thoughts of the publishing industry make me shiver.


     I suppose that there are a bunch of little things which make writing gratifying. My love for words and the way sentences work, and the mathematical precision of grammar. The way it feels to finish a piece and the sweet, sweet pain of editing and editing and editing. Seeing something which comes across as meaningless to others and thinking, "that could make a good story." 


     As little sense as it makes, I write for the small things. There's something else, also. Writing has always been something I've done. Writing is a part of who I am. It's just what I do.


* My favourite pencil. Yes, I have a favourite pencil.
✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐

Why yes, those are little pencils. 
Thus concludes my Teens Can Write Too blog chain post. 
It's been written on three hours of sleep. 
I highly recommend reading what other bloggers in the chain have to say. Links below! They're all fantastic and eloquent and stuff. 

. . . I'm going to go faceplant on my bed now.

Want to follow our blog tour? Here are the participating parties, day by day:
May 5–http://towerofplot.blogspot.com–The Leaning Tower of Plot
May 6–http://correctingpenswelcome.wordpress.com–Comfy Sweaters, Writing and Fish
May 7–http://cassidymarierizzo.wordpress.com–Cassidy Marie Rizzo
May 8–http://insideliamsbrain.wordpress.com–This Page Intentionally Left Blank
May 9–http://weirdalocity.wordpress.com–You Didn’t Really Need To Know This…
May 11–http://thewordasylum.wordpress.com–The Word Asylum
May 12–http://lilyjenness.blogspot.com–Lily’s Notes In The Margins
May 13–http://laughablog.wordpress.com–The Zebra Clan
May 14–http://planetaryelastic.blogspot.com–Tangential Bemusings
May 15–http://realityisimaginary.blogspot.com–Reality Is Imaginary
May 16–http://otherrandomthings.wordpress.com–Dragons, Unicorns And Other Random Things
May 17–http://lonelyrecluse.wordpress.com–The Lonely Recluse
May 18–http://delorfinde.wordpress.com–A Farewell To Sanity
May 19–http://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com–The Incessant Droning Of A Bored Writer
May 20–http://allegradavis.wordpress.com–All I Need Is A Keyboard
May 21–http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com–Teens Can Write Too! (We will be announcing the topic for next month’s chain)

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11 comments:

  1. ZeebsMay 15, 2012 at 5:47 AM

    We write because we are.

    I don't know how much sense that makes to people who don't write (or for that matter, the ones who DO write)- but I hope it makes sense to the latter.

    Darnit, I need to get myself a wordpress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GabiMay 15, 2012 at 3:51 PM

      Yeah, that makes perfect sense.

      And I don't think you need wordpress to join the chain, you can just type in a name, e-mail, and URL when you comment on wordpress stuff.
      Unless you mean actual word-presses. Those would be pretty cool, even though I'm not sure how they would work.

      Delete
  2. Liam, Head PhilMay 15, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    I like your writing style. I am now justifying your paranoia (if present) by following you.
    Welcome to the blog chain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GabiMay 15, 2012 at 3:53 PM

      Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

      I'm not entirely sure what paranoia you're referring to.

      Delete
    2. Liam, Head PhilMay 15, 2012 at 5:02 PM

      Some people I know are jokingly paranoid. "I think I'm being followed!" and the like. Well, I'm justifying that. Of course, if you aren't paranoid, then let's just go with this: I'm following you. (Happy?)

      Delete
    3. GabiMay 15, 2012 at 6:23 PM

      Oh! Apologies, I'm somewhat dense sometimes.

      You can follow me any day. ;)
      Okay that was really creepy. Just kidding.

      Delete
  3. Lily J.May 16, 2012 at 9:42 PM

    Welcome to the chain, Gabi!

    I love that feeling when you get a story idea from something random!

    Yes, I am done using exclamation points.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GabiMay 17, 2012 at 4:05 PM

      Thanks, I'm glad to be part of it!

      And yeah, it's an awesome feeling.

      That's okay, enthusiasm is good!

      Delete
  4. Miriam JoyMay 19, 2012 at 6:21 AM

    ICKLE PENCILS! I wants them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AlexMay 23, 2012 at 11:42 AM

    I feel bad. I'm not a fan of pencils. They are... unreliable.
    Either way, you put them to good use!

    ReplyDelete

Comments make me feel all warm and fuzzy, and I'm very interested in what you say. :D

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