What it is to Write

So you've made it this far.

I've written blogs before around many things but I think this is the first that is getting me really excited because, quite frankly, I'm talking about something I absolutely LOVE doing. I have been writing since before I can remember, from the days when I was making little books and handing them to my mum with great pride, to the present day. I've mused, I've put serious work in and I've experimented. I think this is where I have really learned the meaning of what it is to write.

Experimenting. Oh this is where the joy really starts for me. I have ideas all the time, this character should do this in this particular scene with this random item (I know, sounding like Cluedo) but ultimately, the bare bones of how a story can be structured is just one part of a larger picture. I love it, creating magical worlds (or reimagining past ones), creating obstacles and challenges for my characters to face, having basic character connections and why they should have this relationship, this is fun and the topic of a future blog post no doubt. But this post, this one is the heart of why? Why do I do it?

And this is where I come back to experimenting. It is often the moment when it feels like genius has hit. I have found so often that I have an idea where a scene is going but then WHAM! My character goes rogue and I follow it. I go, fine let's see where you want to take this. Can I adapt? Sure, I'll have a go. What have you got for me?

These often turn out to be my favourite scenes and also the ones where I, and others who have read my writing, feel they understand the characters better; where they sometimes even fall in love with them. Usually, I'm already in love.

I get this quite often with exploration into the history of the world I'm writing in, or the lore of the land I might be creating from scratch. I find following it organically really works for me. But then, I am a true pantser. (These are people who go with the flow - planning is often problematic and a barrier for us, although we do have to do some planning from time to time. I would highly suggest, planners occasionally try pantsing - just to experience the other side and see if it helps).

So What is Writing? For me, it's the process of going on an adventure that only exists in my mind, until it ends up on the page of course. Barthes eat your heart out (I'll save him for a future blog too).

I know this was reasonably short. Ultimately, this is my first blog of the series. I will probably come back to this idea many times as I grow and develop as a writer, but it is, after all, all about the journey.

See you in my next instalment.