Thursday 14 January 2010

Hooked on Writing

Matt Lynn asks, on the Curzon blog, whether writing is an intrinsically depressing profession.
Depression is an ambiguous word. In our own ways, most of us feel depressed at times. This can be caused by external circumstances, not the same as clinical depression. Like any other illness, that strikes for no reason.
Creative problems can trigger feelings of depression. Is this an external trigger?
I arrived home yesterday after driving in conditions horrendous by anyone's standards. My car wasn't a wreck. I was. Dinner, favourite TV comedy, a nip of whisky, all failed to restore my equanimity.
Ten minutes on my keyboard, another chapter done, and I had returned to my normal, faintly warped, state of mind.
For me, writing isn't depressing. Not writing is.

amazon.co.uk still have some copies of CUT SHORT
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cut-Short-DI-Geraldine-Steel/dp/1842432710
Mystery Women short story competition open to all
http://www.mysterywomen.co.uk/

19 comments:

Rick said...

Writing is a fantastic crank-up activity for me. Every part of it is great, even the frustrating parts! :) Besides, look at the smile on your face in your picture- you look happy because you're a writer!

This applies, of course, to all writers who do not find writing depressing.

Leigh Russell said...

I'm with you, Rick. Every part of it is great. And for those who find writing depressing, I'd say find another pastime. There's no reason to write - unless you love writing!
That's not to say it isn't hard work. It can be really tough - which is all the more reason not to do it if you don't have a real passion for it.

Charles Gramlich said...

I'm the same. A few days without writing and I'm depressed.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I have to agree with you. I think everyone has their way of restoring their equilibrium and for me it's definately writing.

Leigh Russell said...

Hi Charles
Yes, writing can be demanding, but the alternative is abysmal.

Leigh Russell said...

Debs - I wonder if your spirits left as soon as you set foot in your shed? When I'm too busy with other life commitments to sit down and write, I sometimes just step into my 'writing room' for a few seconds to absorb the atmosphere.

Leigh Russell said...

um... Debs... should be 'spirits lift' not left... woops! (Serves me right for using a lazy cliche!)

Barry J. Northern said...

Good. Writing makes me happy too, even if it's often hard going and difficult -- I ask what's easy that's worth doing? How else to you attain that glorious sense of achievement when you reach the end?

fizzycat said...

I think it feels good to write something.Of course I just do it for fun.

Leigh Russell said...

It's certainly hard work, Barry. Somehow it doesn't seem quite so much fun any more. I still love everything about writing, but I have so much to do for book 3, and so much research to do... and so little time! Writing isn't the problem, it's everything else.

Leigh Russell said...

That's the best way to write, fizzycat. Keep writing for fun and enjoy it!

fizzycat said...

That sock thing might just work...

Leigh Russell said...

Sock it to 'em, fizzycat. (sorry!)

Eryl said...

You're on book three now? Good lord I have a lot of catching up to do!

Like you, for me writing makes all the grimness melt away. Reading over my attempts can sometimes be depressing though!

Leigh Russell said...

You're right there, eryl. Best not to reread too often. I have to say, there are so many details I would change in CUT SHORT now if I could - but it's too late! Once the book is out there, there's no going back... !

Pat said...

I think a real writer couldn't live without it. A conclusion I've reached over many years.

Leigh Russell said...

You're right there, Pat.

Val Ewing said...

When I get 'stuck' for ideas in my creative world, I usually take a hike in the woods and get my sense of 'self' back.

;-)

Leigh Russell said...

A change of scene is very stimulating, Val. I agree. A brisk walk on a chilly day gives the creativity a kick start, doesn't it? I wonder what other writers do - in fact, I'm going to post the question right here, right now!