Great writers never need write

8th October 2008

I’ve just written four stories.”

Where?”

In my head.”

Oh.”

What?”

Well, it’s just … that doesn’t help anyone else much, does it?”

Who said stories should be helpful?”

Whom indeed.”

Oh, just fuck off will you.”

10 responses

  1. Lore comments:

    My head is full of stories – it might explode. I have to cram so many things to store everything in there, as someone said.

  2. Paul comments:

    And that one makes five? Or was that one of the four?

  3. Ani Smith comments:

    Lore: I know what you mean, I’m constantly full to bursting, and my outlets are often inadequate.

    Paul: No, that one makes 5,667,354,458,552,324 - no wait … 325. Yes.

  4. jereme comments:

    i liked this. it is in line with my philosophy.

    words are not that precious

    writers even less

  5. Jim Murdoch comments:

    The last short story I wrote was like this, nothing but dialogue. I like the format. I also agree with the sentiment put forth here. The words that end up on paper are what I’ve finished with. Perhaps it’s fairer to say that I discard stories and poems rather than write them.

  6. drodbar comments:

    My best ones have all been put away out of sight, in the multi-story car park in my mind.

  7. Ani Smith comments:

    Jereme: Hello and welcome, Jereme. You have a philosophy? I’ve always wanted one of those.

    Jim: I live in my mind so much that sometimes just thinking of something is enough to give me a sense of accomplishment. This sometimes makes it harder to discern imagination from reality.

    Drodbar: I see you share your compatriots’ love of puns.

  8. dinOS X comments:

    I’m like this with songs and music.

    I’ve had such a ridiculous amount of fully realised compositions that were given birth to, and then hours later died in my head. Most of my best stuff too! I find that frustrating as hell!!!!!

    I wish someone would invent some sort of machine that could just record these specific thoughts for us.

    C’mon!… somebody must be close to finishing one as I write? PLEASE!!! (gets down on knees, clasps hands together with great vigor, while eyes shut tighter than that of a small child about to make a wish before blowing out candles on a birthday cake).

  9. jem comments:

    Good point!

    Sometimes on the verge of sleep I get a fantastic idea - the best idea I’ve ever had, I know if it’s still there when I wake I will write it into the best book ever. It’s never there come morning. Does that mean it was still great or just a by product of failing consciousness?

  10. Ani Smith comments:

    Dinos X: Yes, such a machine would be great, in theory. But think of the evil applications! And also, (and very unfortunately for me) I think part of the genius or talent or whatever is in being able to communicate these great things in your head to others.

    Jem: Yes, that happens to me at least once a night. I sometimes try to stay conscious enough to record the idea, but most of the time sleep beats me. Actually, I think I did write a draft for the post after this one in bed, very tired, right before passing out.

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