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The Real Reason That I Write

05 January 2014

Yesterday I went to see Saving Mr. Banks in theatres, and it left me feeling inspired on multiple levels. It's one of my new favorite films and while everyone should treat themselves by going to see it, writers will perhaps benefit most of all. While there are many lessons to be gleaned from the movie, the supreme theme and the one that touched me the most served as a reminder that is easy to forget: written stories are meant to redeem, and provide hope in a world where we often feel hopeless.

Without spoiling too much of the movie, I will lend that Pamela Travers (the author of Mary Poppins) wrote the stories to heal her childhood wounds. By writing an alternate ending to her own story, she was able to not only satisfy herself, but provide the same joy and faith to children and adults around the world.

I tend to say that I don't like sad movies or stories. I read books to learn, laugh and maybe cry in the middle, but we all want a good ending even if we wouldn't label it as a 'happy' ending. One of my main aims as a writer, and I'm sure many of you relate to my agenda, is to provide the world and future generations with novels that aren't just there to thrill, or provide a nice little love story that gives them unrealistic expectations. I hope to write and publish books that doesn't simply entertain; yet rather, teaches lessons about life and the literary realm and in all hope, inspire and heal. Just like the Mary Poppins books and movie did for so many people.

I thought I would share this all with you because as young writers especially, we are often tempted by fame. Looking at the current literary patterns, we know that if our book contains a love triangle, a little violence and suspense, folks today will probably readily read our material. But what good does that do besides provide temporary entertainment? No, I think we all want to write something we can take pride in, so I would encourage you to examine your motives, or realign purposes that may have gone astray.

 Folks in an already currupted world with so much death, pain and wrong, deserve an escape that doesn't just take them into another world, but stories that provide real hope and real truth.

1 comment:

  1. This is a great post. :) I try really hard when I'm writing to focus myself on writing the story that I love, rather than a story that everyone else will love, or even an agent! This is especially hard during revisions, when you're getting conflicting advice from critique partners and friends, but this is a great reminder. :) I really want to go see the movie!

    ReplyDelete

The Real Reason That I Write

Yesterday I went to see Saving Mr. Banks in theatres, and it left me feeling inspired on multiple levels. It's one of my new favorite films and while everyone should treat themselves by going to see it, writers will perhaps benefit most of all. While there are many lessons to be gleaned from the movie, the supreme theme and the one that touched me the most served as a reminder that is easy to forget: written stories are meant to redeem, and provide hope in a world where we often feel hopeless.

Without spoiling too much of the movie, I will lend that Pamela Travers (the author of Mary Poppins) wrote the stories to heal her childhood wounds. By writing an alternate ending to her own story, she was able to not only satisfy herself, but provide the same joy and faith to children and adults around the world.

I tend to say that I don't like sad movies or stories. I read books to learn, laugh and maybe cry in the middle, but we all want a good ending even if we wouldn't label it as a 'happy' ending. One of my main aims as a writer, and I'm sure many of you relate to my agenda, is to provide the world and future generations with novels that aren't just there to thrill, or provide a nice little love story that gives them unrealistic expectations. I hope to write and publish books that doesn't simply entertain; yet rather, teaches lessons about life and the literary realm and in all hope, inspire and heal. Just like the Mary Poppins books and movie did for so many people.

I thought I would share this all with you because as young writers especially, we are often tempted by fame. Looking at the current literary patterns, we know that if our book contains a love triangle, a little violence and suspense, folks today will probably readily read our material. But what good does that do besides provide temporary entertainment? No, I think we all want to write something we can take pride in, so I would encourage you to examine your motives, or realign purposes that may have gone astray.

 Folks in an already currupted world with so much death, pain and wrong, deserve an escape that doesn't just take them into another world, but stories that provide real hope and real truth.

1 comment :

  1. This is a great post. :) I try really hard when I'm writing to focus myself on writing the story that I love, rather than a story that everyone else will love, or even an agent! This is especially hard during revisions, when you're getting conflicting advice from critique partners and friends, but this is a great reminder. :) I really want to go see the movie!

    ReplyDelete

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