Words, Writing and Blogging
The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say. – Anaïs Nin
Article written by BridgeMaker contributor Ali Hale. Please visit her at Aliventures.com.
I’ve always loved words. English was one of my favourite subjects in school, and I was a bookworm of a kid, having my nose firmly stuck in a book until the age of twelve or thirteen, when I first got online and discovered a whole world of electronic words. (Our modem was too slow to handle graphics – seems like the dark ages now!)
From my early teens, I wanted to be a writer. I started on a novel as a rather unhappy fourteen year old, scribbling in a notebook during lunchtimes in the school library. Thankfully, my dalliance with awful teenage poetry was brief.
It’s with slight surprise that I wake up each morning now, realising that I actually achieved that teenage dream. I make my living from words, sitting down at a blank screen and creating something entirely out of twenty-six different letters and a handful of punctuation marks. On some level, it seems miraculous, like spinning straw into gold.
Fiction and Non-Fiction
I love fiction and non-fiction writing in equal measure. I explained in a recent blog post on Aliventures that this causes some tension: is the non-fiction my “real” work because it pays, or is the fiction more “real” because it’s purer, nobler, and much harder?
The truth is, they’re both equally real, and equally important to me. I’ve gone through periods where I only wrote fiction and academic essays. I’ve gone through times of blogging and freelance writing and nothing else. But I’m happiest when I can dream up worlds and characters to play with in my fiction, and when I can work through my own thoughts on paper – and provide something helpful or valuable to others – in my non-fiction writing.
Is it a Passion?
In my corner of the blogging world, there’s always talk about “passion.” Finding your passion; following your passion; making a living from your passion. I’m always uncomfortable with the word “passion.” Perhaps it’s because I’m British and it’s a little bit squeamishly lovely-romantic. Perhaps it’s because I’m a Christian and “Passion” has a religious connotation for me.
I certainly don’t feel that I have one all-consuming “passion.” Yes, I’m wrapped up in my novel at the moment, keen to finish Draft 2 so that I can send it to my tutor before heading off to South-by-South-West. But I’m also about to launch an ebook, and I’m writing regular blog pieces – for my own blog, and for others. I enjoy all this different writing – I couldn’t pick just one thing to focus on, because I’d get bored and ultimately, creatively burnt-out.
So I’m not sure that words are really my “passion.” I’m not sure that I have a passion. I have dreams (New York Bestseller list ones…) and I enjoy the process of writing, but there’s something more basic than that. For me, writing is like exercising or eating well: it’s essential for living a healthy life.
Why I Must Write
I don’t see writing as a “should,” a guilt-tripping kind of way. I see writing as something which I must do, because it’s integral to who I am. The mere process of taking thoughts, ordering them into words and putting those words onto a page helps me to feel balanced and grounded.
When I worked in an office job, my happiest times were when I wrote presentations and user guides (to rather dull software). The subject matter was uninteresting, but the act of composing clear sentences and instructions was a creative one.
I can’t imagine a better way to earn a living than by writing. I know that many people struggle to write and find it a chore, something to endlessly put off – but I love it, and I wouldn’t be without it.
Words aren’t my passion. Words are my soul’s way of breathing. The words I read connect me with people long-dead; the words I write may one day connect me with people not yet born. Writing is a way for me to take a little piece of my soul and put it into the world – and in doing so, I always receive something back.
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Comments
8 Responses to “Words, Writing and Blogging”
What do you think?
Beautifully written Ali. You are a great writer! I think that many writers feel the same way you do about words. Thanks for this inspirational post
And when the words come from the soul, they connect with other people at a soul level. It makes such a difference! Thanks for being true to yourself and courageous enough to share your words.
With appreciation,
Karen
Ali, where would we be without you? You have the soul of a poet, and the way you string words together reminds me of Byron, Keats and Shelley.
Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of reading your fiction yet, but hope to read it soon.
It will be hot off the press. Plus, I will cry with fiendish delight to find your novel in a bookstore. I will bite my nails like a teen-aged girl crying at a rock concert (sorry, but I am often facetious). But I am serious and mean well.
I will wait patiently for you to make the announcement on your own blog. Best wishes.
I don’t make a living from using words, but I totally understand the way you feel. Words are my soul’s way of breathing, too. Thanks for a great column.
Great post Ali. It’s awesome that you find writing as something you must do and something that fulfills your life. Thanks for sharing your personal story here and I hope all goes well with writing your novel.
Ralph, thanks! I had fun writing this one, glad it came across well.
Karen, thanks too! I’ve found that both with fiction and non-fiction, my writing touches people when it *matters* to me.
Archan, wow, thank you! I’ve never written much poetry. My fiction is still in a very work-in-progress stage, but if/when I get something published, I’ll be sure to let you (and the blogging world) know about it..!
Susan, thanks! I think in some ways it may be better (for the writing) *not* to do it for a living, because that brings in a whole load of extra baggage.
Hear hear!!! Fabulous Ali
You have a beautiful way with words which is so reflective of everything you wrote. I related to what you said about struggling with words. When I feel I “have to” write something I have a difficult time capturing my energy in the writing so that it doesn’t come off flat. I love the feeling of being moved by my soul to express something in an article and letting the ideas flow from me onto the keyboard.
So often, words start coming while I’m in the shower and by the time I sit down to let it flow, I often get in the way of that inspiration in an attempt to try to get it all down. It’s practice to get out of the way and let my heart, rather than my head do the writing. When I do get out of the way, what comes out is an expression of my passions.
For me, speaking allows me great opportunities to express which is a lot of fun!
Keep sharing Ali – I just love how you write!
Blessings,
Lorraine
Ali, I love the way you write. You are so creative in the way you express your thoughts! I always look forward to reading something from you!
Marge