Why do I write? (Alissa Grosso)
Why do I write? For the money, of course.
That was a joke. Of all the things I spend my time doing, writing is probably the least profitable. A couple of weeks ago I found $20 on the ground while walking my dog. So, walking the dog is literally more profitable than writing. And yet, I persist in this writing thing anyway.
Creating is something I feel compelled to do, and I know from speaking to other creative types that I'm not alone in this. It doesn't matter the medium - and writing is only one of the mediums in which I create - I feel compelled to make stuff.
When I'm bored or tired or walking the dog, my mind tends to entertain me with stories. I've written thousands of stories in my head, most of them long since forgotten now. It's the ones that can't be forgotten, that won't go away that find themselves leaving my head to become words on a screen, and maybe, some day words on a piece of paper.
So, answering the question why do I write is difficult. It's like trying to answer the question why do you breathe? Or perhaps if you're my dog, why do you love girl dog pee so much? It's just one of those things that comes so naturally, that's so very much a part of who I am.
I keep writing, even though in a typical year it rarely brings enough money to buy dog food, let alone pay the rent, because it's what I do and who I am, and if, like some dog walks, it brings in some money now and then, well, that's pretty cool.
Alissa Grosso is the author of the YA novels Shallow Pond, Ferocity Summer and Popular. She is probably writing a story in her head at this very moment. You can find out more about her at alissagrosso.com.
That was a joke. Of all the things I spend my time doing, writing is probably the least profitable. A couple of weeks ago I found $20 on the ground while walking my dog. So, walking the dog is literally more profitable than writing. And yet, I persist in this writing thing anyway.
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| Jack searching for treasure on one of his walks. He and I define treasure a bit differently. He thinks he's hit the jackpot when he finds a spot where a girl dog peed. |
When I'm bored or tired or walking the dog, my mind tends to entertain me with stories. I've written thousands of stories in my head, most of them long since forgotten now. It's the ones that can't be forgotten, that won't go away that find themselves leaving my head to become words on a screen, and maybe, some day words on a piece of paper.
So, answering the question why do I write is difficult. It's like trying to answer the question why do you breathe? Or perhaps if you're my dog, why do you love girl dog pee so much? It's just one of those things that comes so naturally, that's so very much a part of who I am.
I keep writing, even though in a typical year it rarely brings enough money to buy dog food, let alone pay the rent, because it's what I do and who I am, and if, like some dog walks, it brings in some money now and then, well, that's pretty cool.
Alissa Grosso is the author of the YA novels Shallow Pond, Ferocity Summer and Popular. She is probably writing a story in her head at this very moment. You can find out more about her at alissagrosso.com.
Thanks for the laugh this morning.
ReplyDeletePS: I WISH I could find 20 bucks on a walk with my pee-sniffing dog :)
That's much better than the time I thought I found a folded $10 bill only to pick it up and find it was prank $10 bill.
DeleteI spent $600 on a new metal detector and have unearthed about $5.00 since I got it, but there's a sense of anticipation when I set out and an amazing sense of satisfaction when I do find a coin. Writing is like that for me. Little money, much anticipation, great satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteWise words. On a side note, have you watched the British show Detetorists? I discovered it on Netflix and really enjoyed it!
DeleteI usually just find coins when I go out for a walk, but it's better than nothing. :)
ReplyDeleteThe $20 was a rare thing. But hey even coins are better than I do most months with this writing thing!
DeleteYour Jack and my Jake need to get together. ;)
ReplyDeleteJack says woof to that!
DeleteI found $10 when I little. I still have that bill folded up into a tiny cube on a charm bracelet. :)
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard when you said walking the dog is literally more profitable than writing! Had to read it out loud to the husband. :)
ReplyDelete