So You Wanna Be A Writer by Charles Bukowski
TLDRCharles Bukowski's 'So You Wanna Be A Writer' is a passionate and straightforward discourse on the true essence of being a writer. Bukowski emphasizes that writing should be a natural and compelling force that comes from deep within, rather than a forced or calculated endeavor. He advises against writing for superficial reasons such as money, fame, or to attract attention. The transcript highlights the struggle and the authenticity required in writing, suggesting that if one must wait for inspiration to come, they should do so patiently. Bukowski warns against being like the many who write out of self-love or pretension, which leads to dull and uninteresting work. He asserts that writing should be an unstoppable, soul-driven act that is as necessary as breathing, and if it isn't, one should find a different path. The summary captures the intensity of Bukowski's message, urging only those who feel an undeniable calling to pursue the challenging yet rewarding journey of being a writer.
Takeaways
- 💥 Writing should be a natural, unstoppable force within you, not something you force.
- 📝 Don't write if you're seeking external validation like money or fame.
- 🚫 Avoid writing for superficial reasons, such as attracting a partner.
- 🔄 If you find yourself constantly rewriting, it might be a sign you're not ready.
- 🤔 Writing should not feel like a chore; if it does, reconsider your path.
- 🚫 Do not imitate others' writing styles; be original.
- 🌟 The urge to write should come from within, not be provoked by external factors.
- ⏳ Be patient and wait for inspiration to come to you naturally.
- 📖 Don't feel the need to share your work with others until it's truly ready.
- 🧐 Avoid being pretentious or overly self-indulgent in your writing.
- 🔥 Write as if your life depends on it, with a burning passion from the soul.
- 🎯 If writing is truly your calling, it will happen effortlessly and continuously.
Q & A
What does Charles Bukowski suggest about the motivation behind becoming a writer?
-Bukowski suggests that if the desire to write doesn't come bursting out of you naturally and despite everything, you shouldn't do it. He also advises against writing for money, fame, or to attract women.
According to the transcript, what should a writer avoid when they are in the process of writing?
-A writer should avoid sitting for hours searching for words, rewriting repeatedly, and trying to imitate someone else's writing style.
What does Bukowski imply about the nature of the writing process?
-Bukowski implies that the writing process should be a natural, unforced expression that comes from the heart and mind, rather than a laborious or contrived effort.
What does Bukowski say about waiting for inspiration to write?
-Bukowski advises that if you have to wait for the urge to write to 'roar out of you,' you should wait patiently. If it never comes, he suggests doing something else.
How does Bukowski feel about sharing your writing with others before it's ready?
-Bukowski believes that if you feel the need to read your work to others before it's fully formed, you're not ready to be a writer.
What warning does Bukowski give about the personality of a writer?
-Bukowski warns against being dull, boring, pretentious, and consumed with self-love, as these traits can lead to uninspiring and unoriginal writing.
What does Bukowski suggest is the sign that someone is truly meant to be a writer?
-Bukowski suggests that if writing comes out of your soul like a rocket and not being able to write would drive you to madness, suicide, or murder, then you have been chosen to be a writer.
What does Bukowski say about the persistence required in a writer's life?
-Bukowski indicates that if you are truly chosen to be a writer, the act of writing will continue by itself and persist until you die or the urge to write dies within you.
What is the importance of the 'sun inside you' in the context of Bukowski's advice?
-The 'sun inside you' represents the inner fire or passion that should be burning within a writer. According to Bukowski, you should not write unless this internal drive is strong enough to motivate you.
How does Bukowski describe the experience of writing for those who are genuinely called to it?
-For those who are genuinely called to write, Bukowski describes the experience as an unstoppable force, something that will occur by itself without the need for external validation or repeated revisions.
What is the message Bukowski conveys about the uniqueness of a writer's voice?
-Bukowski emphasizes the importance of having a unique voice and warns against trying to write like someone else. He suggests that a writer's voice should be an authentic expression of their individuality.
What does Bukowski mean when he says 'if it's hard work just thinking about doing it'?
-Bukowski is suggesting that if the very idea of writing feels like a chore or a difficult task, it may not be the right path for you. True writing should come from a place of passion and not feel like a burdensome obligation.
Outlines
🚫 The Struggles and Motivations of Writing
Charles Bukowski's 'So You Want to Be a Writer' is a candid and passionate discourse on the true calling to be a writer. The paragraph emphasizes that writing should be an unstoppable force that emerges from the depths of one's soul, not a laborious task or a means to an end. Bukowski advises against writing out of a desire for money, fame, or to attract romantic partners. He stresses that rewriting and seeking validation from others are signs that one may not be truly ready to write. The piece serves as a warning to those who would add to the world's collection of dull, pretentious literature, urging them to find another path unless writing is an absolute necessity that consumes them.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Writer
💡Bursting out
💡Heart, mind, mouth, and gut
💡Staring at the screen
💡Money, fame, and women
💡Rewrite
💡Trying to write like somebody else
💡Patience
💡Madness, suicide, or murder
💡Sun inside you
💡Chosen
💡Libraries
💡Self-love
Highlights
If writing doesn't come bursting out of you, don't do it.
Writing should emerge unasked from the heart, mind, mouth, and gut.
Avoid writing if you have to spend hours searching for words.
Don't write for money, fame, or to attract romantic partners.
Constant rewriting is a sign that you may not be ready to write.
If writing feels like hard work, reconsider your path.
Imitating another writer's style is not the way to succeed.
True writing should roar out of you without needing to wait.
If writing doesn't floor you, consider doing something else.
Reading your work to others too early can be a sign of immaturity.
Avoid being dull, boring, and pretentious in your writing.
Don't be consumed by self-love; the world has enough of that.
Writing should come from the soul like a rocket.
Only write if not writing would lead to madness or worse.
A burning sun inside you should drive your writing.
When it's truly time, writing will happen naturally if you're chosen.
The act of writing should continue until death or the passion fades.
There is no other way to genuine writing, and there never was.