Monday, January 13, 2014

Why I Write

Okay, so over the weekend, my husband and I went to see the movie Saving Mr. Banks. I am not ashamed to admit that I teared up a few times (okay, maybe I'm a little ashamed).

I thought it was an absolutely fantastic movie, from the brilliant acting to the progression of the plot. I'm not interested in debating the truthfulness of it, or anything like that. I thoroughly enjoyed it from an entertainment perspective.

From an author perspective, I understand how and why Mary Poppins felt like family to P.L. Travers. I found her character complex -- and at one point I leaned over and asked my husband if we're supposed to like her.

Because she never allowed anyone into her life. And she was cold, and unyielding, and sometimes I didn't like her. But by the end, I loved her and I loved that she got to see her Mr. Banks saved.

I felt a connection to her as an author. I started writing to alleviate some of the negative emotions in my life, and often that is still why I continue to craft stories. So to see her past, witness her tragedy and pain, and see how she used writing to tame those in her life reminded me so much of myself.

I am in a much better place now than I was when I started writing over 5 years ago, but I often still call on those negative emotions to help me take my characters to the brink of disaster.

I really enjoyed Saving Mr. Banks, from both a personal and writerly position. Have you seen it?

Why do you write?

19 comments:

  1. Loved it! I was moved enough that I wrote a blog post too. Loved every aspect of it and loved that for the most part it was based on a true story. And yes, I cried through out the whole thing! Especially the ending.

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  2. Writing gives me a personal freedom I wouldn't have otherwise. I enjoy exploring, not just other worlds, but people. It's my way of studying the world, even when I'm creating my own.

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  3. It's not until after I dig myself out of a hole that I realize why I had to go though That to get to This. I haven't seen the movie but have heard such great things it's on my list.

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  4. I haven't seen the movie. It isn't one that fits my need to see bullets flying or hobbits and dwarves running lol! But sometimes, it doesn't take all that action to enjoy a movie that reminds us of why we write.

    I write because I love it. It's an escape. It's a release. It's my little personal place where freedom is truly free. And so am I.

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  5. I want to see it. It's nice to be reminded of why I write. =)

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  6. Why I write.... Well, I've been making up stories in my head all my life. If I write, that makes it vocational rather than pathological.

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  7. I want to drop everything and go see it right now. A matinee. The kids can pick themselves up from school, make their own lunch, get themselves down for naps, etc! Okay, so maybe I'll go tonight when the hubs is home so I don't get child protective services called on me! Fine.

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  8. I loved the movie and cried a little too. I wondered how accurate it all was, but even if it's not completely accurate, it was a great movie, well worth watching.

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  9. I haven't seen it yet but I've heard tons about it. (Especially the controversy of the truthfulness--but sometimes something is just an experience and sometimes it's someone else's truth so I say, LET IT GO PEOPLE.)

    I love this post. No matter what people say, there's always a bit of author in their stories. It just has to be that way. You can't write authentic emotion if you don't call on your own. It doesn't mean the characters go through your pains or trials, but they have pain and our pain can make theirs real.

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  10. I enjoyed Banks too! I enjoyed it even more when she was a likable character but I understood going through the hard parts to get to the amazing conclusion.
    I write because I have to :)

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  11. I want to see that movie, but since nobody else in my family does -- and I don't go to the movies alone -- I probably won't see it until it's on Pay Per View.

    As for why I write, it's because I can't bear not to.

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  12. I really enjoy writing and I feel like I've got something to say that others might be interested in reading. Glad you liked the movie, it's on my list!

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  13. That is a movie I want to see, but I'll wait until it is out on DVD. It does look good from the previews I've seen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

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  14. I haven't seen it yet, but it looks so wonderful.

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  15. I'm going to have to wait until it's out on DVD. I'm such a sap I'd probably bawl (loudly and awkwardly) in the theatre. No one needs to see/hear that!

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  16. I haven't seen this yet but I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I kind of expect that I will cry a little.

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  17. Hasn't come to Jamaica yet. Watched American Hustle yesterday and 12 Years as a Slave finally reached theatres today. Yeah, but 47 Ronin could get here same time as U.S. release. I mean seriously. I'm glad you felt so good after seeing this movie and authors love their characters and work.

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  18. I haven't yet, but it's on my list of films to see when things settle down--even if I miss them first run.

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  19. I can't wait to see it, but my husband and I rarely venture out away from the kids, so we'll probably end up waiting until we can see it at home. I write to create. Plus, I'm an introvert and it's my way of being by myself and social at the same time...! Christy

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