Friday, November 23, 2012

Why I Became a Writer

        Today, I interrupt my ramblings to take part in a blogathon, in which a number of us are posting brief statements on our blogs and/or websites telling why and how we became writers.
        Please visit my friends and colleagues and leave encouraging comments on their posts.

John Brantingham and Sunny Frazier http://johnbrantingham.blogspot.com/
John Lewis      http://www.Lions-post.blogspot.com
Eileen Obser   www.eileenobser.com
Charlotte San Juan    http://charlottesanjuan.wordpress.com
Kyle Van Sant          http://pkvansant.blogspot.com/

           On the ride home last night, after the customary Thanksgiving Day foodfest, I asked my mom and Alan why they thought I had become a writer.
       Mama:  Because you already did everything else.
       Me:     I knew you would say that.  When I was a child, did you have any idea I'd become a writer?
       Mama:  No.  I thought maybe an artist, because you drew well.  Or, maybe a poet, because as a kid, you wrote good poetry.  Also, your sons write, so you're trying to show them you write.   
[ Huh? I thought they write because I write!? ]

~        ~         ~

        Alan:  John Steinbeck said it so many times-- writers become writers because they have something to say.  Also, they want to leave something of themselves behind.

***

         They're both right.  They're both wrong.  I always wanted to write.  I always did write-- journals, long letters to friends and the dreaded white person's Christmas letters.  I have the diaries, correspondences and archives to prove it.  I just didn't have the nerve to move beyond personal writing to something more general.
        I don't know that I'm a natural born storyteller, but it's never too late to become one.  As for leaving something behind, I have my two wonderful sons who represent me better than my own words ever could.
       Why do you do what you do and have you always wanted to do it?  Or did you fall into it by accident?
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24 comments:

  1. AndrewNovember 23, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    Excellent post. Something good to think about.

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    Replies
    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 11:03 AM

      Thanks, Andrew. Why did YOU become a writer? Do tell...

      Delete
  2. Carole AvilaNovember 23, 2012 at 11:06 AM

    Hi Marta,
    Once again, good writing. I love your natural eloquence. Brief but concise and well stated.

    Check out my blog on my response to your question above. (http://caroleavilablog.wordpress.com/ --Oh boo, I didn't make it on your list!)

    ~Carole

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 3:50 PM

      Thanks, Carole. I loved your response to this question, as well. See my comment on your blog.

      Delete
  3. Patricia Gligor's Writers ForumNovember 23, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Marta, I especially liked what you said about leaving something behind, our own mark on the world. Here's hoping our novels outlive us!

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 3:51 PM

      You darn right they will... they may be in E format or some other, as yet unknown form, but they'll be there long after we are gone. :)

      Delete
  4. MarjaNovember 23, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    Lovely post, and you have more guts than I do. I'd be half afraid to ask my husband why he thinks I write. I'm afraid he'd tell me. : )

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 3:52 PM

      Oh dear! Sounds like a personal problem, my dear. ;-)))

      Delete
  5. Melodie CampbellNovember 23, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    Marja, you are making me laugh! And Marta,I loved the 'because you already did everything else." No question, when you are a writer, you live twice.

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 3:52 PM

      What? We only live twice? I'm pretty sure I'm just on #2 of nine lives, at least...

      Delete
  6. Stephen L. BraytonNovember 23, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    Sometimes simple says it best.

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 3:53 PM

      I'll take that as a compliment, Stephen. Thank you!

      Delete
  7. Lesley DiehlNovember 23, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Nice, snappy answer.

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 3:53 PM

      Thank you, fellow writer who scribbles about Central Florida!

      Delete
  8. John BrantinghamNovember 23, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    Beautifully written, and so simple and true. You Mom is right.

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 3:54 PM

      Aw, John, you are too kind. And you know moms-- you can't pull any wool over their eyes-- EVER.

      Delete
  9. jrlindermuthNovember 23, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    I also like the simplicity of your piece, Marta.

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  10. marta chauséeNovember 23, 2012 at 5:04 PM

    Thank you, John.

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  11. Eileen ObserNovember 23, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Short and sweet and right to the point, Marta. Lovely.

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  12. UnknownNovember 23, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    Honest and sincere, and having two sons who enjoy writing? That's something you must be proud of!

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    1. marta chauséeNovember 24, 2012 at 10:41 AM

      I am so proud of my boys, you have no idea, John. They are both brilliant, funny and very easy on the eye. How did I get so lucky?

      Delete
  13. CristianNovember 25, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    Thanks, Mom!! Keep up the great work!!!

    Love,
    C

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  14. cHARLOTTE sAN jUANNovember 27, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    When I read your words or hear you read aloud in front of others, there is a strength there that reminds me why I will never stop writing, either.

    ReplyDelete

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