I write because I want to. I enjoy it.
I also write because I have to. The 'stories' seem to come by themselves - none are contrived. Even those that have their genesis in challenges are not created - they come whole, complete; like ordering off the early-bird dinner menu - you only get a few choices and substitutions are not allowed.
Many times I have no idea what I'm writing until I'm finished. Michael Jordan spoke about him getting into his 'zone' while playing basketball - well, I'm not comparing myself to MJ - but I do understand the 'zone'. I have one myself.
It always amazed me the way a writer could create a character on page one, an event on page fifty, and tie them both together on page three-hundred. Did they know that they wanted to do that ahead of time? Did they create story-boards and outlines before beginning to write?
I don't know what a real writer does. I start writing and what happens - happens. I get into a zone where I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen or what direction any character is going to take. I'm usually as surprised at the ending as my characters.
No one has read anything I've written - with the exception of "The Gift' - which my wife and son read. Both wanted me to change the ending. I cannot. I don't control the story.
Which is why I write for me. Period.
