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Why the Next Thing You Write Should Be A Sneeze
A writer’s motivation is a precious thing.
The themes, emotions, traumas we attempt to tackle, expose or illuminate are what define our work. We build our whole identities around why we write what we write.
But sometimes it’s just a sneeze.
At least that’s what EB White said when asked why he wrote Charlotte’s Web:
“I haven’t told why I wrote the book, but I haven’t told you why I sneeze, either. A book is a sneeze.”
That quote is liberating. And frustrating. Depending on your point of view, it either removes the pretentions of being an artist or confirms them. Like stop pussy footing around. Say why you wrote it, EB. It’s ’cause you love pigs right? You’re a pig man, we get it.
The truth is sometimes we don’t know why we create what we create. Ideas pop into my brain all the time. I have no idea where half of them came from. They just came to me. It’s part of the mystery, fun and anticpation of this job. It keeps my easily-distracted mind on it’s wrinkled grey toes.
And yet, there’s pressure on writers to explain themselves. People want answers. They want to know why you wrote what you wrote. What’s your identity? What are your goals as a writer? What’s your mission statement?
