I was asked a couple of times recently why I “bother” writing and particularly why I bother writing novels which are broadly within the fantasy genre.
People who like to ask “Why do you bother?” type questions always amuse me. Well okay, they actually annoy more often than they amuse me, but oddly enough they also stir me into a more determined mood- which is odd, because someone who forever questions the point of doing something they haven’t tried themselves (or indeed “can’t be bothered”) tends to be the sort of person who gets up in the morning wishing the rest of the world could be dragged down to his or her level.
One could suggest to them that they “get a life” but you just know they won’t.
Anyway, to answer the original question, I write because that gives more purpose than any other activity. All other things are pretty much a means to an end, but writing is itself a means and an end- by which I mean the journey and the destination are both (if you love doing it) self-fulfilling. It’s occasionally frustrating, but I can’t imagine not doing it.
And why bother writing fantasy?
Well that’s not so much a philosophy as much as a way of life, or a way of helping to rationalise and make sense of life through writing. It might sound odd that a genre as (apparently) far removed as possible from the grim grind of everyday life helps rationalise and make sense- but somehow it does. There are events and scenarios I write about which are in one way or another lifted from real happenings (although I have to say I’ve never gone on in detail about the worst things I hear about in the real world or used them- at least not graphically- in my books). Fantasy is a genre that allows an incredible amount of freedom- using as much as you want of the real world and transplanting it into an exotic, alien environment.
I’d be hard pushed to create a world with more greed, disillusionment, despair, hate, fear, paranoia and extremism than Earth 2012 (nor would I want to), and although the Aona books are pretty dark, I think (certainly I hope) that their character-driven nature is a source of some inspiration. Whether or not it’s fantasy, tales of ordinary (and some extraordinary) people grimly determined to survive tend to have a resonance with readers.
I have to say I admire people who write and get things finished, it takes a great deal of energy, perseverance and drive, not to mention intelligence and planning with a complicated world like Aona, to complete a book. The “why bother” people might as well get in their coffins now, they’re a waste of resources!
Thanks Beth- really appreciate the comment.
Isn’t it funny that you have to sometimes explain to people why you write? For me, it’s the sheer fun of it. It’s also nice when people read my work, and like it… but it’s the journey that’s exciting for me. Creating a new world is such a rush, and like you, I am dying to get away from this one. Let me escape in a fantasy world for a while PLEEESE!
Hi Jennifer- I totally agree. If it wasn’t fun (and addictive) I simply wouldn’t. And not knowing how the journey will end…
“Oblivion’s Forge”, first book in the Aona series, can be previewed here- have a read and see what you think! http://www.completelynovel.com/books/oblivions-forge–2/read-online
Hey, Simon, thanks for the links. You are now following me on Twitter. I read the opening pages of Oblivion’s Forge and it looks richly filled with interesting characters and it flows easily, making it a joy to read. Also, I love this website and how you have displayed all your information. I haven’t even got this far yet! I wish you the best of luck with all your books. You do look busy. I don’t know how you can write so much in so little time, as I am one of those “takes years” to write a book. It took me 6 years to do Forever Shales, but then again I did have a full time job and I only worked on it in the winter – and it is illustrated even though it is for grown-ups. Yes, winter, like today, is the best time of the year to work on one’s book. My second book, Cadbury of Camelot (not necessarily the title I’ll keep) is in it’s second year. I hope to get it published in 2 year’s time, or less. My books are a completely different genre – historicl fiction, but told from the point of view of a dog, who is the protagonist in the story. I look forward to reading your Tweets and will retweet you and your links anytime. Deborah
Thanks Deborah- I really appreciate your comments. You know, the funny thing is that it’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve started to write prolifically (apart from when I was in my teens)- and I think it has to do with going ahead and publishing the first book- I now feel obligated to finish the job in good time (and not obligated in a bad way- it’s a great feeling). I actually started the first draft of Oblivion’s Forge way back in ’97 (it’s changed pretty much beyond recognition since then) but once it was done it kind of freed everything else up. How I find the time I don’t know!
Anyway the next book, Secret Roads, is due out in March hopefully. Oblivion’s Forge is available on completelynovel.com but of course you know that!!