MONDAY MOTIVATION 1
The question "Why Am I Writing This?" shouldn't terrify us
The joy of writing, for me, is blocking out the world. Until now, I’ve tried to save reflections for the editing stage. If I asked existential questions while creating the first sentences of a new story I might never have those five hour writing blocks crouched over my kitchen table. But the truth is I get asked “Why did you write this?” by other people after the fact… a lot. Mostly from readers, though one of my early reviews tetchily asked, “What is Schultz’s point?” Last week I answered the question for an actor. And whether one knows the answer or not, it pays to at least try to answer when asked by your audience.
As this is the first Monday Motivation email for the Independent Writing Group, I thought I would focus on this very basic question and try to see it in a new light. What if the question “Why am I writing this?” could become a mantra instead of an accusation? A thing that frees you, rather than freezing you. This week while we write, let it be a gut check to keep us focu…