What We're Writing Week: Why Julia Writes

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I've been having difficulties getting back into writing regularly since taking most of June off to help with some family issues. It doesn't help that I'm super-distractable and am pretty sure I have adult ADD. (I asked my doctor about getting tested, and he said, "Well, were you ever diagnosed in childhood?" I'm thinking, Listen, 30-year-old dude, I grew up in the 60s and 70s. No one was getting diagnosed with ADD! No, I didn't say it out loud.)

Anyway, the best thing to do when you're struggling to get back into creative work and fighting off distractions is to read many articles about your issues, right? So I was reading one, which I unfortunately didn't bookmark, and have forgotten the name of, because, again, squirrel brain. But I do remember a part of the motivational exercise: Identify why you do the task you're having a hard time accomplishing.

In other words, why do I write? Since I also needed a blog for today, I decided to work the exercise right here, thus killing two birds with one stone.

I write because no one else is writing the particular stories I want to read. Honestly, I was thrilled when  saw there was some Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne fan fiction on Archive of Our Own. At last, I thought, someone else will write these people and I can just read it! But no, sadly, there's been no huge rush of amateur stories. And no one has copied me enough to scratch my itch. If I want to read about Russ and Clare and their friends, it's up to me. Sigh.

 

I write because I'm not really that good at anything else. I'm a decent mom, but I've happily aged out of that occupation. I was always a good student - again, lots of writing - but only so-so in the careers I studied for. I'm too lazy to start my own businesses (see below) like my sister, the Realtor/ Face Painter/ Acting Manager. And I can't think of anything interesting to podcast, so there goes that potential income stream.

 

I write because I do love being a part of the community. We all complain about the conferences and the bookstore appearances and the panels at libraries. But honesty, I love them. Not the travel so much - who loves travel these days? But hanging out with fellow writers, oh, that can keep me going for weeks afterwards.

 

I write because I get paid to do it. Authors tend to say, "Oh, I'd do it for free." But would we? Really? As one writer told me, "That check from my publishing company lets me know just how much they love me."

I write because I'm lazy. I've done other jobs. I've waitressed, I've worked in a fundraising office in a museum, I went to law school and practiced for a hot five minutes. Believe me, writing is easier than anything else. I get to sit in my comfy desk chair (with my Fit Bit reminding me to get up and walk every hour) and play with my imaginary friends. Four hours of writing? Ooo, time to crack my back and call it a day. Try that with an office job. 

I write because I'm egotistical. I confess to you, dear readers, that I love it when people tell me how much they like my book, and when they praise my talent, skill, etc. etc. It's like hearing people praise your children: it literally never gets old. 

 

Finally, I write because I've never found anything as personally fulfilling. No, not even motherhood - my kids are a reflection of me, but are also part of their dad, and their friends, their experiences, etc. Besides, the goal of parenting is to work your way out of the job. But writing - ah, that's a job you can go on and on with, digging in to get better as the years go by, exploring different places and plots and people. I, at the bottom, really love it. And I love what writing does for me.

Well, that turns out to have been a useful exercise! I'm actually feeling quite charged up right now. Maybe I'll try listing my reasons for writing at the start of each week, and see if it remains a motivating force.

Feel free to try it for yourselves, dear readers - why do you do that thing you're dragging your feet on?