Do you write better when sad?

[Munachi]

I think I have seen similar threads before, but can't find them now...

Anyway, I have felt pretty crap this week. Mainly because I've been dumped (if you can call it that, I've only started seeing this guy a few weeks ago, so I guess it wasn't actual dumping, but rather just stopping to see each other), and somehow this affected me more than I thought it would.

But what I noticed - a few story ideas I had while ago, and which then had either been buried deep in my brain, or in my computer, for those I had already started writing an outline for, suddenly fought their way back into my mind. And I could sit at the computor for hours working on them, something I was before not able to do. The only thing is that I couldn't control the direction of this energy and work on my university papers - that was easier when I felt better...

So is this the case for most people? Do you usually write more when you don't feel good? Just wondering... Or is it just specific stories you write when you don't feel good, or others when you feel good? Or can you only write when you are happy with how things are?

 

[Recidiva]

I write with the most insight when I'm troubled or affected by something. Not necessarily when sad, but certainly when involved with working out an issue or wanting a certain effect that I can create on in my thoughts that can fulfil some sort of need I have.

Perhaps only when pushed under the surface of life is when you dive for the pearls.

 

[Guest]

sad? no, but if i'm introspective, poetry comes to me easily.
writing stories,on the other hand, i have to be in a good place. specially since i enjoy writing with humor.

 

[hyulhyulhyul]

I don't do anything better when I'm sad. I'm not even a good moper. I write best when I'm feeling ornery.

 

[sophia jane]

Maybe better poetry. But not stories, no. In fact, I don't write stories much at all when I'm sad.

 

[HappyLlama]

Maybe better poetry. But not stories, no. In fact, I don't write stories much at all when I'm sad.

*Rubs soft, furry head against Sophia*

 

[kendo1]

*Rubs soft, furry head against Sophia*

There's a thread for that.

 

[carsonshepherd]

No. I prefer a general ennui for writing - slightly bored, with a hint of angst. It puts me in a very creative head space. If things are too turbulent, I can't concentrate. So if my life is dull, it's by choice.

 

[3113]

If you're talking about sad as in depressed, then no. When I'm really depression, I don't write. Which makes me more depressed. So I don't write more. It ain't pretty.

If we're talking about sad, like tears running down the face, just-broke-up-with-my-best-friend and feeling intensely sorrowful sad, then, yes, if I think to write at that point, I can usually write good.

I suspect that intense feelings have a way of focusing writers. When we're at an emotionally stable point, we may think too much about what we're doing. Question word choice or doubt what we've written or are going to write. When the emotions are intense, then we focus down; we have only one aim, to express that feeling which is consuming us. For example, I do know another writer who, like Hyul, writes brilliantly when he's pissed. Other times, he'll overthink what he's writing. Not when he's angry. Get him angry and he writes like a run-away train (in a good way).

The problem is, emotions running that high don't last very long.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I seem to write best- at least, I can get my ideas down for the first time- when I am totally fatigued and sleep-deprived. When my head is swathed in very heavy cotton wool, my fingers and toes have that slight tingoing of low blood pressure, and my tongue is too thick to talk with- that's when my brain spills its secrets. That's when I find myself facedown on the keyboard, with paragraphs I don't remember writing, aglow on my screen.
I ask you- is that fair?

 

[yui]

My writing is inspired by strong emotions - good or bad. Sorta. Though, to be fair, sometimes, I write best when I’m at peace.

 

[The_Fool]

I seem to write best- at least, I can get my ideas down for the first time- when I am totally fatigued and sleep-deprived. When my head is swathed in very heavy cotton wool, my fingers and toes have that slight tingoing of low blood pressure, and my tongue is too thick to talk with- that's when my brain spills its secrets. That's when I find myself facedown on the keyboard, with paragraphs I don't remember writing, aglow on my screen.
I ask you- is that fair?

Nobody ever said writing was going to be fair. In fact it is one of the most unfair activities there is.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Nobody ever said writing was going to be fair. In fact it is one of the most unfair activities there is.

You never promised me a rose garden, huh...

 

[yui]

Nobody ever said writing was going to be fair. In fact it is one of the most unfair activities there is.

Truth.

And, often, one of the most painful.

 

[rgraham666]

I have to be in a calm headspace when I write, with a touch on the happy side.

When sad I don't have the energy to write. When really happy I have too much energy to sit still.

So middle ground for me, as usual.

 

[Munachi]

If you're talking about sad as in depressed, then no. When I'm really depression, I don't write. Which makes me more depressed. So I don't write more. It ain't pretty.

If we're talking about sad, like tears running down the face, just-broke-up-with-my-best-friend and feeling intensely sorrowful sad, then, yes, if I think to write at that point, I can usually write good.

I suspect that intense feelings have a way of focusing writers. When we're at an emotionally stable point, we may think too much about what we're doing. Question word choice or doubt what we've written or are going to write. When the emotions are intense, then we focus down; we have only one aim, to express that feeling which is consuming us. For example, I do know another writer who, like Hyul, writes brilliantly when he's pissed. Other times, he'll overthink what he's writing. Not when he's angry. Get him angry and he writes like a run-away train (in a good way).

The problem is, emotions running that high don't last very long.

sounds logical... I suppose what is also part of the reason is, that when things are going well I am usually to busy to write. when I find myself at home, with the plans for the weekend kind of shattered, and feeling a bit lonely, my mind is suddenly full of all kinds of weird thoughts that can be formed into stories.

I guess part of it is also that few of my stories are happy... They are not always sad, either, but tendentially more towards sad than happy... I guess I need to feel in the mood that fits with the story...

 

[TxRad]

I seem to work best when I'm bored and heve nowhere to go or nothing to do....

Work is my place I write.....

Long boring stretches with tedium in the middle.... My mind needs something to do and writing fills the bill and the time....

 

[Guest]

So is this the case for most people? Do you usually write more when you don't feel good? Just wondering... Or is it just specific stories you write when you don't feel good, or others when you feel good? Or can you only write when you are happy with how things are?<---- Munachi

Yes and no. My writing is more lush and detailed, more intricate and more involved when I'm sad. It also reflects that sadness, and tends to be either heart-breakingly tragic or so dark that it makes me shudder when I read it in happier times.

That stuff seldom sees the light of Lit, unless it's poetry. You guys get the randomly happy smut or the slapdash run throughs of Ashlee (belonging to my beloved Deathplay) and Drakalen's egocentrically convoluted obsessions. If I ever finish "Butterfly Wings" and a few others, you'll get them. "Redemption" in particular, for all the taboos broken and remade in that one.

But yes, I write when I'm sad. Reams of things, and mostly, it's the best stuff I do. I'm just not sure I can handle putting so much of my heart out there to be broken by the inevitable feedback that sort of stuff gets.

 

[Liar]

Definitely not. I can't write when I'm sad, or when I'm (too) happy, or when I'm horny, or when I'm hungry, or when I'm...

I write best when I'm one part content, one part relaxed about my place in the world, one part chased by a deadline on what I'm writing (but nothing else) and fed fresh coffee every hour on the hour.

 

[Belegon]

depends on what I'm writing...my best erotica seems to have come in a mood that can best be described as "anticipating"...

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

So is this the case for most people? Do you usually write more when you don't feel good? Just wondering... Or is it just specific stories you write when you don't feel good, or others when you feel good? Or can you only write when you are happy with how things are?

I write better when I am angry or feeling down, always have. No idea why that is..but I know I use writing as therapy. Usually by the end of a random angry stream of conscious poem, or a sad depressing ghost story (which is what I am working on now...) I feel loads better..but I never ever think about posting it. Too personal, too sad or angry or pissy or what have you. No one would want to read that. And I wouldn't have the heart to put myself out there like that, anyway.

 

[yui]

Too personal, too sad or angry or pissy or what have you. No one would want to read that. And I wouldn't have the heart to put myself out there like that, anyway.

I understand your point, completely; putting your soul out there for general consumption is not something done lightly; however, quite honestly, it's the very passion or sadness or whatever, that might very well produce a type of genius that transcends a million biases. Share your brilliance?

 

[impressive]

I write my best erotica when horny. Makes sense to me.

 

[Guest]

I write my best erotica when horny. Makes sense to me.

youre so normal sometimes.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

I understand your point, completely; putting your soul out there for general consumption is not something done lightly; however, quite honestly, it's the very passion or sadness or whatever, that might very well produce a type of genius that transcends a million biases. Share your brilliance?

I have tried to post some of my more deviant types of poetry here, but the themes are so intense..that they have been rejected. (Suicidal depressions, murder..etc. etc..) I have found other places to post em but since this is where I like to share my writing, I just keep those kinds of things to myself.