Thursday, September 6, 2012

Why Do We Write?

A friend that writes and maintains her own website B Here Today posted a quote that started me thinking. "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.", Ernest Hemingway.

Why do I write? That's a really hard question. In fact Barbara over at Back To Being Me is having a very difficult time with her son and life and her last post was about taking a break from writing because she didn't feel she could give enough time and herself to continue reading and commenting on others blogs. She felt blogging was a two way street. She had to contribute to others in order to write.

I write for myself. Writing is a very selfish endeavor. Even if the room is full of people, when I write I am alone. Writing allows me to be alone with myself, guess it is like having a conversation with my best friend, me. ;-) I've always had a feeling that anyone that couldn't stand to be alone probably doesn't like themselves.

Blogging has never been a two way street for me. Yes, I read many blogs and I sometimes leave comments for others. Comments on my blog make me feel good that someone reads and takes time to comment. Comments are therapeutic and I learn a great deal from all of the wisdom shared by those in a similar struggle. However, for me the real meat of the therapy is the process of writing. The organization of my thoughts, the deliberation on my experiences and beliefs before I commit them to "paper". But it's not paper any more is it?

"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.", Ernest Hemingway. Who am I to disagree with Ernest Hemingway about the process of writing, but I do. Look at this fool, disagreeing with arguably one of the greatest writers of all time about writing. For me it goes more like this. "There is nothing to writing. Writing is what I do while I am licking my wounds.", Ron Grover. When I wrote about our experiences the battle was over. Blood was all ready spilled. The battlefield is strewn with hurt, anger and tears. Writing is what gave me the strength to fight this addiction monster one more day.


4 comments:

Beth Wilson said...

Ron, never when I posted that Hemingway quote did I imagine it would resonate with you and others.

Thanks a lot. :) Now I'm thinking about why I write. I agree that it is therapy but for me, it goes further than that. My present, rational mind connects with my subconcious mind where ultimately all my answers reside. Many times--in fact, most times--when I sit down to write, answers to the most troubling problems come to me via pen. And yes, I do still write (my journal, at least) with a pen and notebook.

In that sense, I am bleeding. And I'm also gathering strength, as you suggest. We who fight this battle with addiction and recovery, do need strength, don't we?

Thanks for your post today, most especially for your "selfish" contributions."

B Well!

Anonymous said...

I think it is okay when a blogger wants to take a break and regroup in their personal life. I know of many that do that.

Syd said...

I enjoy writing but also like to take time to post something meaningful. You just did. Thanks, Ron.

robin said...

this was a wonderful way you describe being real with the pen and paper and self.....thank-you for sharing i truly enjoyed every descriptive word...as much as bleeding can be painful it is a so good to heal!!