Writer Philosophy: Writer Lust
By LMReviews on Nov 1, 2008 in Multicultural Writing, Writing/Freelancing
As I mentioned previously, I was prospecting for new clients when I came across a distraught writer in an advice column. (You never know where you’ll find your next client or writing topic) She complained about having to drink to get in the writerly mood. She complained of not just needing one drink to relax but several throughout her writing session. While I didn’t choose to weigh in on this interactive advice column, it did got me to thinking about what I could say to her. This led me to think about my writer philosophy–how and why I write.
I doubt it is a new term, but I think my writer philosophy is one I’d like to call Writer Lust. I write because it feels so damn good. There is this strong feeling of anticipation when I get an idea brewing. I not only feel it in my head I feel it in my belly too. My heart begins to race as I think about where I can take this idea and as I envision the finished product my breathing quickens. When the first sentence bubbles in my brain and dances on my lips, I know I have to find a paper and pen, a keyboard or my trusty battery-powered portable quick before the thought is lost to me forever. (Who knows if it will truly be lost to me forever, but why take the chance? If it’s producing a physical response this strong, it must be good!) Then I find myself off to the races writing the rest of the piece. I may or may not know what will happen in the middle but it’s that first sentence that acts as a catalyst to what will come next. All I know, if it’s an article, blog post or book chapter I have to keep going until the hurried feeling dissipates. It builds and builds until I reach the end where I let out a long sigh in exchange for the short breaths I took during the writing of the work. It is not unusual to hear me shout Yes! or Yeah!, as I write a great line or even stop momentarily to punch the air. (I am a physically passionate person although you wouldn’t know it to look at me!) Then I like to end a piece the same way I began it, with a stinging phrase or a provocative suggestion.
In short with writer lust, I am a writer who seeks to pull myself as well as the reader in by the collar, and ride him hard till the end where all dissipates like a tumble down a waterslide on a searing hot Arizona summer afternoon. I’ve had to learn, its hard work in the middle but man, the end is so intense and refreshing, that I have to go back for more. What about you, can you handle a little writer lust?
