Thursday, March 24, 2011

Inspiration is a Fickle Mistress

I have been wondering lately if I'm a writer at all. Sure, I can put words together and tell a story, but so can anyone if they have the time and imagination. There's often debate about what makes a writer an author, or when we can call ourselves one of either. I think it's up to us. You know you. No one knows you better than you do (not even that stuffed animal you still have on the shelf from childhood).

I'm not a writer. I don't have the drive and ambition to turn what I do into a brand. There's a whole lot in this world to be inspired by. My voice is just one small vibration in a crowd.

I'm a storyteller. I write what entertains me. This week I've partnered with someone I've been writing with for about six years. Since Sunday, we've written about 35,000 words. Not a single bit of it will ever be seen outside my inbox, and I don't care. It's simply fun to write. I look at my last two projects, and the words of a reader keep ringing in my ears. "You're shooting yourself in the foot." Why? Because my stories are journeys into the bizarre. I laugh as I write, and a lot of it I make up as I go.

And I'm okay with that. I'll keep plodding on, and I'll submit each thing I finish in the hope that some agent out there will 'get' me. But I can't be anything other than I am. Maybe someday I will evolve. In the meantime, I'll sit here and laugh along with the various voices in my head.

I'm not a writer. I'm a storyteller.

18 comments:

vic caswell said...

good for you christi! just stay true to yourself, and you're golden! it's your unique voice, your honesty- that's why i love reading your blog! there is just something so alive about art that is created with passion- and that's what you do! you're doing great! :)

Sage Ravenwood said...

You enjoy what you write. So many get caught up in everything else they forget that simple act.

Wonderful post. I believe there is an agent for each book ever written, they're just waiting to discover each other. (Hugs)Indigo

Anonymous said...

My voice is just one small vibration in a crowd.

Love this line. I love this whole post. I totally get what you're saying here. Rock on fellow story teller. ROCK ON!

Alleged Author said...

I'm sure people thought Douglas Adams was bizarre, too. Look how well that turned out for him. :)

The Words Crafter said...

It sounds like you really enjoy writing what you do. That's probably the most important thing you can do...enjoy it. If it gets published, well, that's just icing on the cake.

I admire that you get it done. I'm such a slacker!

I love, love, LOVE your header picture. Awesome!

Lisa Gail Green said...

The problem is that the definition for each of those terms if very subjective. I'd call you a writer because you HAVE to write. :D If you don't enjoy it, don't do it! But I'm glad you do enjoy it and I'm glad you'll keep going.

Charmaine Clancy said...

There are not enough storytellers in the world, so celebrate that :-)

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss christi! its way cool that you could just be who you are and like it. and it more cool that you love writing for you. im lots like that cause i write cause i love writing and i like reading my own stuff but i could like sharing it too if it could make some one happy or help them.
...hugs from lenny

J. Summerset said...

Story tellers are honored people in many cultures. They are the ones who can spin a scary story around a campfire without needing research and a well thought out plot. Those are the ones who memorize great myths and random tales and flip it so it's brand new.

it's great that you "Know thyself". But all the same...keep writing anyway.

Summer Ross said...

isn't the main point of being a writer about enjoying writing? Great post.

Unknown said...

Loved this post. You clearly have a gift for writing. I hope you do finish something, because I'd love to read it!

A.T. Post said...

Three months ago I read this post, said "Wow, that thing rang with truth like the sounding of the purest silver bell; I must comment on it," didn't comment on it, and left.

Three months later here I am, writer's block a mile wide hanging over my head, and I thought "I wonder what Torchie's doing." I clicked on your blog and here your post was, relevant and resonant and approachable as ever.

I'm the same way. I don't have that drive, I guess. I've submitted two stories to publishers in the past year. TWO. In the meantime I've just been sitting around, brainstorming, chuckling at the visions in my head, thinking "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if..." and then running off to my computer to bang out the first five pages of a new and exciting story.

I guess that's the fun storytellers have before they go commercial.

Thanks for the silver bells.

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