Top 10 Joys of Writers
Previously, I shared a list of writers' top ten fears according to a survey noted in A Writer's Book of Days, by Judy Reeves. Those same writers were also asked about the joys of writing. Here is that list (with ties for some answers):
1. expressed many ways: the feeling of completeness, of being in sync with the universe, being present in the now, centered, peaceful, calm, being with myself
2. feeling that I entertained the reader, made people laugh, touched someone
3. the feeling of being creative, "in the groove," being an artist
3. telling a story, creating characters, plots
4. connecting with others
4. playing with words, using language
4. having an audience, having other people read or hear my writing
5. expressing myself, putting myself on paper, recording my thoughts
5. being with other writers
6. finding out about myself
6. producing something
7. being published
7. finishing, the feeling of having written
7. leaving a legacy, making a mark on the world
8. becoming a more discerning reader
9. finding out I'm good, that there is promise
10. the surprises, finding out what happens
I notice that many of the joys of writing have little to do with making money (although that's nice). Let the list remind you of all that writing can bring to your life. It definitely gave me a boost today.
--Marcia Peterson
1. expressed many ways: the feeling of completeness, of being in sync with the universe, being present in the now, centered, peaceful, calm, being with myself
2. feeling that I entertained the reader, made people laugh, touched someone
3. the feeling of being creative, "in the groove," being an artist
3. telling a story, creating characters, plots
4. connecting with others
4. playing with words, using language
4. having an audience, having other people read or hear my writing
5. expressing myself, putting myself on paper, recording my thoughts
5. being with other writers
6. finding out about myself
6. producing something
7. being published
7. finishing, the feeling of having written
7. leaving a legacy, making a mark on the world
8. becoming a more discerning reader
9. finding out I'm good, that there is promise
10. the surprises, finding out what happens
I notice that many of the joys of writing have little to do with making money (although that's nice). Let the list remind you of all that writing can bring to your life. It definitely gave me a boost today.
--Marcia Peterson
Labels: Being a Writer, joy, Marcia Peterson, motivation, psychology of writing