Why isn't writing a waste of time?

[tjdee]

Unfortunately, I'm my parents' daughter in that I often feel like I'm "wasting time" when I'm writing. Because I'm no good at it, no one will read it anyway, no one will buy it... and there are bills to pay, clothes to wash, parenting to be done, sleep to be had...

Writing doesn't *do* anything for any of that.

But I like to write. So I have started to feel guilty about doing it, and after a few paragraphs I stop. And go to DU, which is much less a waste of time. :silly:

Any suggestions/ideas?

[oneighty]

1. Of course it is a waste of time

for all the reasons you cite.

But so what? Many types of recreations are a waste of time. Keep in mind your writing does not have to please anyone. If you worry about that you will not please you will never write another word.

In fact you may never create anything for fear of failure, ridicule or rejection.

So write on and share your efforts with us.

180

[stevietheman]

2. Writing is only a waste of time if you don't enjoy it. n/t

n/t

[petgoat]

3. Writing is time well spent for many reasons.

One is that skill in writing and editing are rare commodities, and may prove valuable in the job world
some day. You never know when opportunity may knock.

One is that writing helps you learn about yourself, your likes and dislikes, your beliefs. Putting
things down on paper helps to define these things, and encourages you to analyze how you change and
why. Writing helps you discuss these things with others.

Writing helps you organize your thoughts, and challenge them. "Do I really think that?" you ask
yourself when you read over something you wrote , "or do I really mean something else?"

Writing is excellent therapy, helping you work out conflicts and express inconvenient emotions in
private (and you can always tear it up).

Writing is also excellent recreation, giving you an excuse to pursue something that interests you.
If you're writing, then researching life in 13th century France isn't just pointless escapism, it's a
necessary part of creating something in the real world. In fiction, writing gives you the opportunity
to create worlds the way they ought to be, or the way you perceive them to be, as opposed to the
conventional world we are forced to live in otherwise. It's better than electric trains and golf
combined.

[NJCher]

8. you expressed my thoughts, too, petgoat

Writing is an amazing vehicle for self growth. It's just amazing to me how quickly my thoughts evolve when I write about them as opposed to just thinking about them.




Cher

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. You are DEVELOPING skills that can be used

in the market place... after all grammar is grammar is grammar, I don't care what setting, if you get my drift, and writing will improve on those.

Trust me, I had that problem wih my parents until I decided to start my game company. All of a sudden writing, drawing and painting miniatures is NOT a waste of my time.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

5. Fuck yeah it's a waste of time.

That's why we do it....Because we couldn't stand to live without wasting time.

;)

[joeybee12]

6. It makes you think!!!!!

Then again, that's a waste of time if you want to be a Republican president!!!!!

[SteppingRazor]

7. Is painting a picture a waste of time? Is composing a song a waste of time

Personally, I think the act of creation is one of the greatest things we can do with our time, regardless of whether anyone will see it. Of course, it's easy for me to sit back and bloviate over this, since my writing does pay my bills, but still ... never dismiss art for art's sake. What was that line from Dead Poet's Society? Something about sience tells us how and why we live, but art tells us what we live for.

[tjdee]

9. Thank you all for your responses!

I've bookmarked this thread so I can look at it when I feel like quitting.

:toast:

[valerief]

10. Watching football is a waste of time. Writing is not.

The latter is constructive (something is produced). The former is destructive (only makes you want to beat someone up).

If more people wrote and fewer people watched football, the world would be a… Well, I don't know what it would be, but I fail to recognize what value football yahoos provide.

[NMMNG]

11. Writing can be therapeutic

And it helps keep the mind sharp.