Write or do? That’s a question I’ve been tossing around in my head for a while.
Write or Do?
On Friday, sitting with three blogger friends (and having a great time), I listened with interest to them discussing their WIPs. It was wonderful to hear how they are attempting to piece their novels together. But I declared to them that I had given up on writing a book. My argument was that there are too many books out there.
I’ve always wanted to have at least one book published. Somewhere down the line, I lost interest and decided to focus only on my blogs. Then last year, I began to work part time for Divya Disha and slowly see myself being drawn into working full time, for a while at least.
Remember this?
If you would not be forgotten,
as soon as you are dead and rotten,
either write things worth reading,
or do things worth the writing.
– Benjamin Franklin
So write or do?
I’m not sure if it is the experiences of the last few months – loss of many kinds, that has led me to want invest more time in building living legacies. What do I mean by that? I’d rather invest of my time and skills in people than in words.
Please don’t get me wrong. Our writing can and does make a difference. But perhaps at this particular stage in life, I’m looking at more visible signs of making a difference?
Am I making sense to you? I’m barely making sense to myself. But then that’s what musings are all about, aren’t they?
I’d love to hear what you think.
Would you like to take part in #MondayMusings?
Here’s how it works:
- Write a post sharing your thoughts with us – happy, sad, philosophical, ‘silly’ even. Make it as personal as possible.
- Use the hashtag #MondayMusings.
- Add your link to the linky below
- Use our #MondayMusings badge to encourage other bloggers join in too.
- Visit and comment on the posts of other bloggers linked here.
- Share the love.
Also joining in with Mac for the #mg linky.
I often think that I have done nothing worthwhile in life and that bothers me. So, I can very well understand where you are coming from. I say, write and do whatever your heart desires:)
I hear you, Corinne! And what an ironical coincidence! I tried the whole working from home pursuing writing last year but it was so isolating. And, like you, I feel I can actually contribute more by doing. Of course, writing will always remain but it´s not going to be the ´be all and end all´of life. Keep writing! Love and Cheers 🙂
Do what you feel like doing; the heart will want what it wants. If its guiding you towards building living legacies, then thats what you do. Its a lovely idea to invest time and self into people; giving of yourself is the toughest thing to do and if your heart is motivating you in that direction – Onward march and Tally Ho my friend!!!!!
I agree, Corinne. Everyone these days is writing a book – it’s exciting, no doubt. But you have to know why you’re writing (or doing anything, for that matter) – because it’s the expected thing? The in thing? Gives you bragging rights? Or because it is simply who you are? And if this isn’t where your heart lies anymore, that’s perfectly fine. Leaving behind a living legacy, by working closely with those less fortunate than us, is a calling that few feel, and fewer heed. So listen to your heart my friend, it’s wise beyond measure. xx
I believe our heart has all the answers for us. If it prods one to seek satisfaction in writing (a book or not), then it must do that and if it points into some other direction, then may that be the doing.
Go with your gut feeling, Corinne and let things take its’ own course. I feel exactly the same at this point in time and my heart says that writing is fine but what I DO gives me much more satisfaction at the end of the day, so I’d go with the latter if i had to choose between ‘writing’ and ‘doing’.
Well said, Corinne. Go by your heart. It won’t cheat you. Wise decision on investing time ed on people. After all we will live here only for a short period. Let us make that short period as years of happiness in people’s heart. You can come to your writing as and when needed for your heart. Until then stay loved, dear.
I agree with you about a glut of writers and books. I also feel that things happen in their own time and you will be taken that way…
Interesting. I like the quote. I’m not sure whether I agree or not – it’s a weird one. It sounds like caring for and being bothered with people sounds like a good plan either way. 🙂
#mg
I sit on the cusp of this decision often, and I guess I’ve concluded that the answer (for me) is write AND do. I don’t write nearly as much or as well as I”d like, and I certainly don’t do everything I want to do (never mind all the things I should do . . .), but I’m finding that one informs the other. I write better when there are people in my life who need me and I am more available to them when I’m writing and studying regularly.
Blessings to you as you also turn this question over in your mind and heart.
You made perfect sense to me, Corinne. I am at a stage that everything I think, do and want to do isn’t making sense to me. Rather I find myself creating more emotional mess and unnecessary stress. But a part of me believes that it will make perfect sense in a while. Enough about me. Keep doing what your heart wants you to, and when you have time, when it makes sense to share, write too. <3 🙂
Your words are always wise, and yes it makes sense to me lovely. I like to think my writing is making a difference, I hope in some small way I am helping others, and inspiring my children to follow their passions, but lately I to have been questioning, is this still what ‘I’ need? So happy you could join in with the #mg link up party
I think am on the verge of giving up on my novel but sometimes good to direct energies in creative work than people 🙂
I like to do both. I like Ben Franklin’s statement though. Do things worth writing. That’s an excellent motto for writing can’t come to me without the experience I have lived. Even when I write fiction, I always incorporate some of my own experience in my writing but I think we all must do what we feel is most prevalent to ourselves:) #mg
I agree with you Corrine ma’am. There’s nothing like investing in the living. There’s nothing like doing something for your loved ones. But having said that I have a strong desire to write a book as well which I have earnestly begin only now. Only time will tell what will become of it
You make a good point, you don’t have to write a book just to be a published author.
But please, don’t think there are already too many books. There are. But how many good books are out there? What if the writer in you can churn out stories that no one has ever told and that need to be told?