Why writers hate writing | Charlie Donlea | TEDxBarringtonAreaLibrary

[@wade8130]

"I hate writing, but I love having written."

[@paintingworlds]

It’s never ‘something from nothing’. We are always drawing from our experiences and emotions. Something beautiful is there. It’s trying to capture and communicate it that is difficult and thrilling. Procrastination is the time we need to let it bubble to the surface.

[@Gigawattt]

Every word he said is true of programmers too. I love to write code, to ship products. It is rewarding to create something from nothing and then share it with the world, but the process is so challenging, there is a constant struggle with procrastination. And when it’s done we proudly put “Built with ❤” at the bottom of every README file.

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

So true! Writing software is much like writing literature for me, partly because I write for humans and much as machines. My software gets read a lot by people trying to grow in their expertise. And creating application notes is very similar. It's all art to me! 💚💙💜

[@IntrovertWriter]

Very true.. and If I may add, speaking for myself. Also I have the NEED to write. It’s not a want, although it’s there. But what gets me to overcome the procrastination distractions is the NEED. I NEED to write. It makes me whole.

[@millylou21]

Same here!! Suddendly, I feel the need to write and I write! See, I even felt the need to write this comment!

[@eddyrashid7853]

Like this comment if you're a fellow writer.

[@dameanvil]

00:00 📝 The speaker, a thriller writer named Charlie Donley, is discussing the creative life, focusing on writing fiction. 01:18 🤔 Writers often claim to love writing, but the speaker argues that the reality is more complex, dispelling the myth of constant joy in the writing process. 03:37 📚 The speaker highlights the happiness writers feel upon finishing a manuscript, emphasizing the relief from the challenging writing process. 06:00 ⏰ Writers are skilled procrastinators, finding various reasons to avoid writing, in contrast to activities like playing golf, which they genuinely enjoy. 08:03 💡 Creativity is the driving force that makes writers choose to endure the challenges of writing, as the tangible end result is a novel that impacts readers' lives. 09:54 🎨 The speaker encourages embracing the challenges of creativity, acknowledging that not every moment is enjoyable, but the end result makes it worthwhile. 11:27 📖 Creating something from nothing, such as a story and characters, is the essence of a fiction writer's creative life, and the joy of sharing it with the world surpasses other enjoyable activities.

[@killing.emojis]

You write the wrong surname

[@Billabonggg2011]

As a fellow writer, over the years I've boiled down his argument in this talk to two terms-- fulfillment vs. happiness. Writing isn't always a happy endeavor (it takes emotional labor to write and suffer consequences of worlds and characters you're invested in) but it is ALWAYS fulfilling. The same goes for my veterinary medicine job. Not always happy - frequently horrible and depressing - but always fulfilling.

[@imdurmac1]

Writing for me is a blessing and a curse.

[@garbhanmyles]

Crazy timing. I just got back into writing yesterday after a long break, and once again found myself wrestling with it. This talk perfectly describes why that perpetual wrestle match is worth fighting. Thanks a million!

[@joelwcrumbley]

I’ve been waiting on a video like this forever. We need more KZbin videos about the writing craft for real authors.

[@evershade.after.dark.]

I am an author, and I WANT to write everyday--and in fact I used to--but I allow myself to put my writing on the back burner in favor of going to work at a law firm, taking care of my farm, washing dishes, doing laundry. It gets so bad that I must leave the house in order to write. If I don't, I will get caught up in the perpetual cycle of things that need to be cleaned, repaired, fed, etc. 😭

[@harrypearle9781]

EDIT - TIDE Writing may feel hateful, because it involves continuous EDITING. EDIT is TIDE backwards. Editing is back and forth, like the tide coming in and going out. ========================================================== TNX MCH

[@warrenbradford2597]

Writing is a difficult process to me. It used to be my least favorite subject, because it always asks me questions for my opinions on subject do not know nor care. I feel that I have been writing enough as tip from a website I read told their readers, "Write, write, write!"

[@namanydv_garud]

Thanks for this new perspective.

[@drizzle952]

Very good speech. Thankyou.

[@tablighibayans]

I'm an author and I agree with this guy

[@marcelo4mattos]

This is way chefs hate cooking

[@maikvanrossum]

6:55 seems to me that ‘playing a round of golf’ is in the procrastination category. How would this be different if you had something tangible to take away from it, so you had to put in more effort to get an expected ‘result’ from it like from the creative process?

[@myravirgil5302]

This rang so true!

[@thutosemetsataola]

Wow, first time I ever comment in a recently released TEDx talk. It was soo good I thought that a million views had already seen this masterpiece. As an aspiring writer I relate to this. Sometimes I realize that I hate my scifi novel called Time Leap but for some reason I come back and write it anyway. Back in 2022 I swore that I will never write it.😂 Welp I'm still writing. Makes me wonder. Why do you write?

[@winkletter]

So writing thrillers is a bit like raising children. When someone says they love parenting their kids, they're lying and they believe every word of it.

[@Songbirdstar]

The way you’re interpreting this seems to be more negative, and that is simply not true. Being a parent and being a writer not easy PERIOD. But people choose to take on these roles for the love of their children. To make sure they have a good upbringing, and for writers to make sure their readers have a good book in their hands. Where both roles come to play in comparison is that BOTH writers and parents are choosing to CHALLENGE themselves. They are choosing to step out of their comfort zones in order to improve themselves. Both writer’s a Mets and parents don’t have to love doing their jobs, but knowing that the end result will all be worth it.

[@winkletter]

@@Songbirdstar I agree with you, Thanks for the feedback.

[@shahidahmed4134]

Not relevant to topic, but the thumb out of pocket is killing me, it's reminding me of that "office" episode 😂

[@OltinJumaboyeva-vy5hk]

Great ❤🎉

[@inkoftheworld]

I don't really think the comparison between golf and writing is a fair one here. Golf is his hobby, writing is his job. If golf was his job, would he still enjoy it that much? (I doubt it) Of course, creating art is not always fun even as a hobby, but it's a lot less painful than when you have the burden of deadlines and expectations that comes with being a professional at it.

[@فلان-ق3ث]

A creative video❤

[@jyoti_rupata]

I professionally write and I do Not procrastinate. I write for 5 to 6 hours as other people do their Job, too. So, not all writers procrastinate.

[@catrocastre8215]

How's the experience for you differently?

[@TOM444OFFICIAL]

What's mean by tevdi

[@changyu8429]

Creative work bring pain to creator.

[@aknown_nerd]

Please upload tedx talk of sudhir chaudhary at srcc

[@Jewels_8404]

So he likes the outcome but hates the process?? Got it 👍🏻

[@ajwalker4416]

😂 While he could have certainly been more succinct, he was invited to talk so he talked 😂 But I agree, Strunk & White in "The Elements of Style" would have said "Avoid. Needless. Words."

[@opt23241]

So fanfiction writers are overly honest. Got it.

[@changyu8429]

make sense, nobody like writing.

[@cindyhalpern3187]

I am a writer. I am sad to say good bye to my characters. It is my life. If you don't love it, don't do it! You do not speak for me at all. When I can't write, I am unhappy. You might be a professional making lots of money. But my soul is filled with writing. Just say YOU don't love writing, but I do!

[@kelleytuck1584]

Creating something from nothing......

[@simplysunmoon]

❤☀️🌙

[@KaranMehta-z8g]

💀

[@ieltsvision]

2nd view

[@OneaeBlack]

Here's the thing either be a writer and write or don't, if it is not really fun never know what to write, then it is okay to do something else for now, because sometimes inspiration takes a while, give it a chance to bubble up, the good story, until really it can't be ignored and then feel like writing sit, do it, get up, stop. Give yourself a pat on the back. Rinse repeat. Just remember the secret to any epic storytelling, conflict conflict conflict. Don't know what happened next for your character, where is the conflict could be lurking in the shadows or under the bed, while the sleepy tired old character yawned, slowly a claw reached out instead.