A writer recently left the following message:
“Sometimes when I’m writing I feel like someone else is in my head writing it for me. Weird when the characters take over but not uncommon apparently. This doesn’t happen when blog writing by the way.”
I surmise it is the muse in the form of the characters that is taking over. Somehow, this writer is able to surrender his/her ego (what some call the critic) long enough for the creative force to work through him/her when writing fiction.
I find it interesting that blog writing isn’t the same. I wonder if that’s true for others???
Perhaps blog writing is so quickly accessible to public scrutiny that the ego (critic) can’t let go. Does that make blogs more ego-driven???? The writing more self-conscious???
Any thoughts???
I only write on my blog and it is primarily non-fiction and not all of my posts are writing as some are primarily photographs…and some are just “what I did today”, but when I “write”, I very often find the writing taking over and going a different direction than I thought I intended.
I never had much success with journaling – always seemed so whiny, self-centered. And although I believe that you have to be a bit narcissistic to do the “this is my life” blog – which mine is – I like my writing better since I’ve been blogging …for an audience. ???
My characters are inherently lazy. They prefer to sit in the back seat and let me write my outlines, plans, ect…. and then when I’m writing, they tell me if I’m getting them wrong. Sometimes they even tell me what they would be doing, but not usually. I love plot, but I can never trust my outlines not to change on me.
It’s like a chorus of little voices in my head, chanting, “Warmer, warmer… cooler, cooler, freezing, slightly warmer…”
I do think there’s another character that takes over when I blog–the part of me that is a writer. I think I blog with a persona, in a way–yes, it’s me, but it’s the book/word part of me. As I blog, that part takes over, pushing the rest of me out of the way for a few minutes.
It’s a nice place to be–often quieter and more peaceful than the rest of my day. 🙂
I’m so happy to hear that blogging can provide the same sort of “high” that writers get when writing longer pieces of fiction.
Quiet and peaceful, I like that Becky!!
I like that I can just write a blog entry and that’s that without the endless editing and rewriting I normally do with my fiction.
This is an interesting post. I haven’t pay attention to different personalities between blogging, or when writing content for websites.
Not writing for websites, but writing a long project — memoir, novel, screenplay versus blogging…… Any difference between writing the two??? That’s my query…..
I don’t blog so I don’t know about that. But my characters do sweep me up and take control in the novel I’m working on right now.
Hi Fairydaizy,
Haven’t noticed you around these parts before. Welcome. Thanks for weighing in on the discussion.
Interesting question. . . I find that Blog writing (I write mostly fiction) is something I want to start and finish quickly. I usually invent a character or a voice that I will use for a little while and toss away when done. The thing that I am consistently probing is the relationships between people – especially ones that just don’t work. I’ve written a few short stories and have an unpublished novel. . . in my nightstand. Writing the novel was very different from writing a blog. It was a year of unrivaled fun. The characters became so alive to me. . . (and so far just a few friends).
I think of writing blogs as getting into my Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde zone. I have the option to reveal who I am if I want to, or create another persona who gets into mind games – discovering others reactions to what I say – all in a safe zone.
Blogging is like an incubator for my fiction and sometimes blogging is like therapy for connection and acknowledgment. Does that sound right?
Sincerely,
Mr.?
Hey Martha,
I’m tagging you with a short meme.
You can find your instructions here:
http://dorlana.blogspot.com/2008/09/whats-up-september-2008.html
Have a great Labor Day!
Dorlana
When I write anything, I am not putting much thought into it. I just write as it comes to me, I usually can't write fast enough.
I finally began writing my book. Somethhing I have been dreaming of doing my entire life. Once I overcame my fear of writing it, I couldn't stop myself. I see it in my head all day. I dno't even consciously think about what I am writing, it's like something else takes over.
It's always been like this, even in my blogs, even with this comment. I never pause to think about what I am saying, I just- write. When I try to take control of it on my own, it's awful. But when I let it happen, it happens.
I think this has a LOT to do with my imagination. I have an imagination like no others, sometimes even I can't believe some of the things I think up. LOL.