Should there be clear goals/ideas to why we write all stories? For example do you agree with these two statements 1) I write a particular storie because I want it to have a particular message/a pun. or 2) I only write when I am in a good form/I am ready.
I don't agree with either statement, for myself. I know others do. I don't think I've ever written a story whose main purpose is to present a message. And I write just about every day, regardless of form, readiness, willingness, etc etc...
No, I don't agree with either statement. I think one can do those things, but they are not required to by any degree. In his book On Writing, Stephen King touches on my stance of these things: "Not every book has to be loaded with symbolism, irony, or musical language (they call it prose for a reason, y'know), but it seems to me that every book--at least every one worth reading--is about something." In most cases, if the story is any good, it'll contain a certain message or messages when it's complete, and you can go back and review what you've written and discover those messages.
I like to read a book that has subtle messages, a book that I don't feel like is trying to shove itself down my throat on Page 1. It's not blatantly obvious, but as I read books with subtle messages, I can feel my opinions changing as new ideas are absorbed. So, what do I write? Well, mostly I want to entertain, but I try to give my stories meaning.
I mostly write to play with ideas, kind of like a thought experiment. Every so often I'll write a story with a specific moral to it, but I'm extra careful when writing those - I will only write it if I can relate to both sides, because I don't want to portray a strawman.
Hi, And I'll ditto the ditto'd ditto. (Are we channeling Ghost here?). I write for no purpose except that I feel like it. I enjoy it. Sometimes I'll think of a scene or come up with an idea, and think to myself, I want to write that down. And then once I start, I just keep going. No moral purpose to it, though sometimes morals arise during the process. And as for the right mood, I find that when I'm not, I read what I've written, and usually I am in the right mood after that. (Or should that be write mood?) I write because I like to read, and I like to read what I've written. Cheers, Greg.
I write as a release from the stresses of everyday life. The worlds in my head are so much more fun than the one I live in everyday.
Personally, I don't agree with either statement either (bad grammar on that?). I write because I enjoy it, and I don't think that a story has to have a message, though too often anymore it seems publishers and directors are looking for something that at least has some sort of message to it. Of course, the typical ones are good over bad, friendship overpowers all, etc. It would be nice to see a story that is just out there to be a story. Like I said, I write because I enjoy writing, and I have ideas that I want others to read. If I get published and there's money involved, then that's a bonus.
