Why do I write?

Well, for starters, words matter. Words can and do change the world. And who's never wanted to do that?

In wise hands, words connect us to the unattainable. The unthinkable. The previously unknowable.

Words refuse to let us forget. And they revolt against all who would misuse or abuse them...stubborn, feisty little beggers that they are.

And when words find the right home, in the right ear and the right heart, they unlock with their music the gates to a world where we're connected to something larger than ourselves.

In short, I write because words well written ignite the arclight of the imagination in ways no kilowatt can measure.

For those moments, for the magic of that experience, I remain, forever in pursuit...and forever grateful.

John Arends

I am thankful to be a writer because...

-I feel absolute dread every time I begin to write my script. And absolute satisfaction every time I complete it.

-I can defend my chosen career as a "realistic path" as opposed to a "far-fetched hobby."

-I enjoy my stories.

-Other people enjoy my stories. Sometimes.

-I can straddle the line between rigid act structure and chaotic story creativity.

-I can be a writer anywhere and anytime.

-I love it.

Happy Writer's Thanksgiving
-Chris

Because it gives my head someplace to be that it really likes. It's less toxic than photography (developing chemicals not good) and more potentially remunerative than delving into the construct of the universe (damn that was fun). Does involve words, those tricky little beasts (late talker, words and I have awkward relationship), but wow is it satisfying. The appeal for me was construction, of story and characters. What's surprised me is how much I enjoy writing the dialogue, inhabiting the characters and feeling my way through the story. A fabulous medium, writing, and wow am I delighted for the resources available for developing craft, esp your blog, Scott, thank you.

writing has kept me sane, which is always a good thing.

I am thankful for writers and to be one because writing gives me something worthwhile to film. It gives me a chance to explore and understand we as a people and individuals and hopefully share that understanding and discoveries with other people. :)

Thankful.... because it's my little secret. I carry it with me wherever I go. It acts as both sword and shield. I know in most circles they call it a "gift" and it's only recently that I've come to believe "gift" is an accurate word for it. Someone or something was kind enough to bestow this upon me. You nurture it and it will nurture you right back.

Definitely thankful...desperately thankful.... deliriously thankful.

I hope that you, Scott, and everyone here at GITS have a peaceful holiday.

I'm in Arkansas for Thanksgiving, visiting family I haven't seen in years and taking a break from most everything, including internet(the only real connection I have is on my phone). I finished the final rewrite and polish on the latest screenplay and wrote some pages toward a possible novel. It's been refreshing even if it's not been very productive.

I read the "thanksgiving for writers" bit and found it a little too utilitarian, maybe Marxian. I hate the idea of putting writing on a pedestal to be praised. Anyone who's spent time in "real" nature or taken a telescope to a dark sky knows true admiration from contrived. Writing is this stupid little thing that's limited in almost every way. A tool for us crazy people to let out our thoughts, keep track of our obsessions, put on record the dubious psyches that we invent but are actually small pieces of ourselves.

But it's those limits, those sadistic characteristics that I love. I can't sleep if I don't write. I can't work if I don't write. I can't make friendly conversation. I can't read. I can't watch movies. I need it. It's because I need it that I'm thankful for it. And I'm thankful for it every day.

Scott, what a lovely post.

I've been thinking.... err, procrastinating... a great deal. Tonight, I had a meltdown... why do I write? What if I can't articulate all that is bubbling within me... or what if what I have to say means little?

I spent the day watching the movie that launched a thousand "Good night, John-boy"s'. Hmmm. How does one properly quote that and use plural... anyhoo....

Well... it brought me back home. It reminded me of a gentle voice. I was informed that there are still quiet stories to be told.

And yeah. Watched "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" to boot.

Made me feel useless. Brilliant.

And then... and yet...

So thanks. Lifting a cup of turkey gravy to you.

HRH

The creative process is often mysterious.

--where do these combination of words come from?

--who are these characters that we make say such things?

Here are a few things that I'm thankful for...

--I am grateful for the crazy geometry of words and the impact they can have on friends and strangers.

--I am grateful for the process... the often long hard slog to create something original and meaningful.

--I am grateful for the clanging sounds of words... the friction of syllables sliding against one another...

--I am grateful for the other writers out there (Scott, John August, The Bitter Script Reader, to name a few), laboring in the vineyards, sharing their thoughts, insights and inspirations...

--I am grateful for the sense of purpose that writing brings to my life and the sense of accomplishment when I complete something

--I am grateful for the next word and the next word and the next word emerging on my computer screen or scribbled on a piece of paper

--I am grateful for the here and now, the ever-present present where creation takes place...

Have a great holiday!

I am thankful to be a writer because I could be far worse. There is also a great deal to be responsible for when you write and so it helps keep you soul sharp. It's kind of like throwing a pebble out there into a still pond and the little ripples for all their good and bad can and will go out into the world and change it forever.

Last thing you want to do is put more junk in the street...

Writing gives an opportunity to live a Eucharistic (Greek word for, "thanksgiving") life.

I am thankful for writing because it lures me into seeing and feeling more than I might ... into thinking more clearly than I might ... and into "what iffing" more wildly and deeply than I might if I were a mere passenger traveling through life.

I can assign meanings to the things I see and feel, then explore my findings, flip 'em over and shake 'em up just to see what falls out. If I'm not satisfied, I can erase all of what I imagined with a wave of my memory -- and start all over again.

Because I write, I ask more questions than I might, of others and myself. Then I question the answers I get. And I come up with more possibilities for solving problems, changing minds and worlds, helping people along the way and learning more than I'll ever be able to pass on.

Such a plentiful way to live, this writer's life, and I'm so very lucky to have it.

Most of all, I'm thankful that as an adult I get to play with my imaginary friends every day -- and no one even thinks about locking me up for it.

Happy Writers Thanksgiving Day!