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?

24 comments:

  1. Excellent post. Something good to think about.

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

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

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  3. 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. 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. :)

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

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

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

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    1. Thank you, fellow writer who scribbles about Central Florida!

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

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

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  9. I also like the simplicity of your piece, Marta.

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

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

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    1. 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?

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

    Love,
    C

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  13. 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.

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