I first published this post in January 2014. People often seem to come back to it and that includes me, so no apologies for re-publishing it now…
A Manifesto
Whenever I have serious doubts about my work or am bogged down with feelings of inadequacy, of not being a good enough writer, when I’m between projects and wondering what to write next or where my writing is going, when I’m reluctant to get out my notebook or sit at the machine, when I ask myself what the point of all of this is, then it is inevitable that I ask the question why write at all? Below is my answer, it’s what grounds me, and time and time again it has brought me back to what’s important, to a place where I can start again…
- I write because I discovered I could, because after years of looking for ways to express my creativity, without ever feeling whole, I finally found what it was I could best do. What it was I wanted to do.
- I write to connect with the world, to reflect the lives of people who live on the margins, who others might think unimportant.
- I write to make myself whole, to disappear in the act of writing, to lose myself completely, so that time passes unnoticed.
- I write to spend time in other worlds that fascinate me.
- I write because I get my own room with books and flowers.
- I write because I love reading and words and I love polishing my words over and over.
- I write because then I am never lonely.
- I write to give purpose to my life.
- I write because now I have to, I must, it has become an essential part of who I am.
- I write because it brings me great joy and takes me to many places.
I note there is nothing here about writing for success or publication! Why do you write?Answer the question as spontaneously as you can then make your answer your manifesto. Copy it up, print it out and put it somewhere prominent. Don’t lose touch with what it is you love about writing.
Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.
― Stephen King, On Writing
Thanks, Avril, for publishing your manifesto. This setting-out of a writer’s stall is such a personal statement but I recognise my own motivation within many of your reasons. I especially understand about the need to explore marginal lives because my work is focussed upon isolated characters on the edge of the ever-narrowing box of ‘normal’. Also, feeling the words run across the page gives me a real sense of worth and, while for me it’s important not to use plays and stories as therapy, writing has recently helped during a period of stress, bereavement and pain. Good job I write comedy.
Please keep writing your excellent blog. Oh – there’s another one for the list: feeling connections and being part of a creative community, even for an anti-social loner like me!
Thanks so much Kerry for posting your reply. These are personal matters but as you suggest there are motivations we all share and it seems important to me that we state them. I agree that it’s right not to use writing as therapy and yet, for me, just the act of writing, of putting the words on the page, is a kind of therapy. I know it keeps me sane and like you I recognise the value of connection. I too am a loner at heart, the irony being I want to speak to, or with, the world – well at least some of it.
What a brilliant task – write a writing manifesto!
I’ve dibbled and dabbled for the last few months, actually much longer, but feels ages – far too long – since I produced any complete new stories. I seem to have lost both the habit and my voice. I fall upon or get given a prompt and usually with a bit of pondering can come up with either a character that seeks to tell it’s story or a plotline that needs ‘actors’ – I can even scribble notes and ideas down but then hit a brick wall… and the stories remain unfinished & untold.
There is so much of your Manifesto I identify with …but I’m going to take some time out this week to write my own – and try to establish a ‘route’ over that wall. Thanks Avril… inspiring as always :)
I’m so pleased to hear that this inspired you and I truly hope it helps you find a way over that wall. I’d love to read your manifesto if you feel like sharing it here or with my newsletter readers. Good luck and thanks, as always, for your support. Avril x
I love your Manifesto and I find it very reassuring when you express those feelings of inadequacy, of self doubt that seem so happy to inflict themselves upon us. Whenever I ask myself ‘why write at all?’ in those moments when I am beating myself up about not writing enough, well enough, successfully enough .. the answer always comes back that I just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t write. It doesn’t make the doubts easier but it helps me push through them. Always so grateful for your thoughts and insights, Avril.
Grateful for your thoughts too Kerry – I think you have it in a nutshell, we wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t write and we should never beat ourselves up! Good luck with the writing Avril