Hear me out.
So, the other day I appeared on a podcast with Robert Chazz Chute (I’ll post the link in a couple of weeks, when it’s ready). Before the discussion began, Chazz asked me a sort of test question: Name three of your favorite things. My reply? Sports, Reading, Chocolate (and I added that alcohol would be a fourth if the list were to be expanded, teehee). He immediately told me that “Sports” was the wrong answer. At first I thought maybe Chazz wasn’t that in to sports. But then I realized my gaffe: I hadn’t mentioned “Writing” as one of my three favorite things. D’oh!
What kind of writer doesn’t love writing?
I’ve been thinking about that question quite a bit since then and here’s what I came up with:
- Writing is hard. It takes a lot of effort to effectively transform a non-tangible concept into a readable, engaging transcript.
- Writing is tedious. There are so many rules. What to do. What not to do. When to not do what you’re supposed to do. When to do what you’re not supposed to. Still with me? I know, right?
- Writing makes me happy, but it also makes me incredibly sad. We all have those moments of self-doubt about our writing. I don’t know anyone else, but mine are more along the lines of self-loathing at times.
- My writing hasn’t been proven (yet). Nothing is published (yet). I don’t have the validation of 5* reviews and people clamoring for the sequels (yet).
- Writing is a gamble. I’m optimistic that it could turn into a viable career. But I’m also realistic: it may not. And I’m the kind of person that hates not knowing what the future holds.
So I guess, what I’m trying to say is that I love the act of writing.
I love the thought of being a writer.
And as Dorothy Parker once said, “I hate writing, I love having written.”
journeyofjordannaeast 
Maybe writing is so engrained in who you are that you think of it as a given! If the question had been “Name three things you need to survive,” you probably wouldn’t have mentioned air.
Thanks for justifying my oopsie, Marc!
That’s one of my favorite quotes, because I totally get it, just as I suspect every writer does.
Oh good, so I’m not a bad writer. Phew!
I can totally relate. The Dorothy Parker quote sums it up pretty succinctly. It’s ok to have a love/hate relationship with writing — having that kind of relationship means you’re passionate about it. 🙂
Thanks, Christi!
I hear you. I can put a tick of agreement and understanding next to each one of your bullet points.
Maybe it is one of your favourite things simply *because* it has it’s ups and downs. It brings the highs and lows of life that make it so interesting. If all our favourite things were always 100% pleasant and happy, we might feel that we’re missing something. I don’t know – thinking aloud. 🙂
Thinking aloud is allowed. 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
A love hate relationship with writing it totally normal 🙂 Writing, although it becomes challenging at times, forces us to become more creative with each post, and even though this can seem frustrating, I live for that awesome moment when the final draft is complete and I feel as if I accomplished something.
I do like the feeling of completing a project. And I’m sure I’ll love publishing even more. 😀
Definitely understandable. 30% of the time I spend writing isn’t because I like it or want to do it; I feel like my head might split open if I don’t write.
Yeah, I definitely notice a change in my demeanor on days I don’t write. But it’s more because I need to finish a project and I’m itching to accomplish my goals. Not the same as when I go a day without chocolate. 😉
Football, football, and football. Reading and writing are what I do when there’s no football game on (or it’s a blowout), but that answer probably wouldn’t go over very well. I wonder if Dorothy Parker would have liked football (as it exists now, not as it existed back then).
Lmao! Football is my favorite sport, too! I’m a three-time fantasy football winner and everything. 🙂