So You Wanna Be A Writer by Charles Bukowski

a kid with a camera
28 Nov 202104:34

TLDRCharles Bukowski's 'So You Wanna Be A Writer' is a passionate and candid discourse on the true essence of writing. Bukowski emphasizes that writing should be an unstoppable, innate force that emerges from the depths of one's soul. He advises against pursuing writing for superficial reasons such as money, fame, or to attract others. The script warns against laborious and repetitive rewriting, and against imitating others' styles. Bukowski also discourages sharing one's work prematurely and stresses the importance of patience and authenticity. He asserts that if writing is not a consuming passion that could lead to madness without it, one should not engage in it. The piece concludes with the notion that if one is truly meant to write, the act will be effortless and continuous, driven by an internal fire that burns until death or the flame within extinguishes.

Takeaways

  • 💥 Writing should come from a deep, authentic place within you, not be forced.
  • 🚫 Don't write if you're only seeking money, fame, or attention from others.
  • ⌛️ Be patient and wait for inspiration to come naturally, rather than trying to force it.
  • 📃 Avoid rewriting excessively; let your initial thoughts and feelings flow freely.
  • 🚫 Don't imitate others' writing styles; your work should be uniquely your own.
  • 🔥 Only write if the urge is so strong that not doing so would be unbearable.
  • 💔 Don't write for the approval of others; the need for external validation can hinder your creative process.
  • 🎯 Write with the intention that your words will have a lasting impact, not just for the sake of being published.
  • 🌟 If you feel you've been chosen to write, embrace that calling and let your work flow.
  • 👥 Don't be like the countless others who write out of vanity or self-love; strive for genuine expression.
  • 📚 Libraries are filled with works from self-indulgent writers; aim to add value, not volume.
  • ⏳ If writing is truly your path, it will continue to be a part of your life until the end.

Q & A

  • What is the main message Charles Bukowski conveys about the motivation behind writing?

    -Charles Bukowski emphasizes that writing should be an uncontrollable urge that bursts out of the writer, rather than a pursuit for money, fame, or personal gratification.

  • According to Bukowski, what should be the writer's attitude towards their work?

    -The writer should not be self-consumed or pretentious, and should avoid being dull and boring. The work should come from the soul and be genuine.

  • Why does Bukowski suggest not to write if it feels like hard work?

    -Bukowski believes that if writing feels like a struggle or hard work, it indicates that it's not a natural or genuine expression for the writer, and they should consider doing something else.

  • What does Bukowski say about rewriting and the need for external validation?

    -He advises against rewriting excessively and reading the work to others for validation. The writing should be a powerful, internal force that doesn't require external approval.

  • What is the implication of 'if it doesn't come bursting out of you, in spite of everything, don't do it'?

    -This implies that the desire to write should be so strong that it overcomes all obstacles and distractions. If it doesn't, it suggests that the writer may lack the necessary passion or authenticity.

  • What does Bukowski mean when he says 'if you have to wait for it to roar out of you, then wait patiently'?

    -Bukowski is suggesting that the inspiration for writing may not always come immediately. Writers should be patient and wait for the right moment when their creativity naturally surges.

  • Why does Bukowski warn against trying to write like someone else?

    -He warns against it because writing should be an original and personal expression. Imitating others leads to a lack of authenticity and uniqueness in the writer's work.

  • What does Bukowski suggest is the sign that someone has been 'chosen' to be a writer?

    -The sign is that writing is not an option but a necessity; it's something that the person must do, and it comes naturally and powerfully from within.

  • How does Bukowski describe the experience of a true writer when they write?

    -He describes it as an experience that is as forceful as a rocket coming out of the writer's soul, which is so intense that not writing would lead to feelings of madness, suicide, or murder.

  • What is the final verdict Bukowski gives on writing for those who don't feel the described internal drive?

    -For those who don't feel the intense, internal drive to write, Bukowski's final verdict is clear: they should do something else.

  • What does the phrase 'the sun inside you is burning' symbolize in the context of Bukowski's speech?

    -This phrase symbolizes the intense passion and creative energy that should be present within a true writer, driving them to express themselves through writing.

  • What does Bukowski's perspective on writing imply about the role of discipline and effort in the writing process?

    -While discipline and effort can be part of the writing process, Bukowski implies that they shouldn't be the primary drivers. The primary driver should be a natural, overwhelming impulse to write.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Struggles of Writing

The first paragraph emphasizes the intense and passionate nature of being a writer. It suggests that if writing isn't a natural, unstoppable force within you, it might not be the right path. The text discourages those who write for superficial reasons like money, fame, or to impress others. It also warns against the tedious process of rewriting and the imitation of others' styles. The paragraph stresses the importance of patience and authenticity, stating that true writing should come from the soul and be a compulsion that cannot be ignored.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Writer

A writer is a person who writes creatively or professionally, particularly for publication. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe someone who has a strong, innate desire to express themselves through the written word. The video emphasizes that being a writer should not be a forced or calculated endeavor but rather a natural and compelling urge.

💡Bursting out

The phrase 'bursting out' is used metaphorically to describe the spontaneous and forceful expression of creativity. In the video, it is suggested that if writing does not come to the writer in this way, it may not be the right path for them. It implies a natural and uncontrollable drive to create.

💡Heart, Mind, Mouth, Gut

These terms collectively represent the different aspects of a person's being, including emotions (heart), intellect (mind), communication (mouth), and instinct (gut). The video suggests that true writing should be an organic process that involves all these elements, reflecting a deep and genuine connection to the act of writing.

💡Staring at the screen

This phrase is used to depict the act of struggling to find the right words or ideas while writing. It is presented negatively in the video, suggesting that if a writer has to spend hours searching for inspiration, it might indicate a lack of genuine passion or talent for writing.

💡Money, Fame, Women

These keywords represent external motivations that are discouraged as reasons to become a writer in the video. The speaker argues that writing should be driven by internal passion rather than the pursuit of wealth, recognition, or romantic conquests.

💡Rewrite

To 'rewrite' means to write something again, often to improve it. The video suggests that if a writer finds themselves constantly rewriting, it might be a sign that their writing is not coming naturally. The implication is that true writing should flow more effortlessly.

💡Hard work

While 'hard work' generally refers to effort expended to achieve a goal, in the context of the video, it is used to describe the laborious process of writing that does not come naturally. The speaker warns against pursuing writing if it feels like a chore rather than a fulfilling endeavor.

💡Imitation

Imitation refers to the act of copying or emulating another's style or work. The video advises against trying to write like someone else, stressing the importance of originality and authenticity in writing.

💡Patience

Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. In the context of the video, patience is advised for those waiting for their writing to 'roar out' of them, indicating that the process of writing may require time and should not be rushed.

💡Rocket

A 'rocket' is used as a metaphor for the explosive and unstoppable force of creativity that should drive a writer. It suggests that writing should be a powerful and dynamic process that propels the writer to express their thoughts and feelings.

💡Madness, Suicide, Murder

These strong terms are used to emphasize the depth of the writer's internal drive to write. The video suggests that if not writing would lead to such extreme consequences, it reflects the profound necessity of writing as an outlet for the writer's soul.

💡Sun inside you

This poetic phrase refers to the inner fire or passion that should burn within a writer. It symbolizes the intense desire and energy that must exist within a person to fuel their writing and make it a vital part of their life.

💡Chosen

To be 'chosen' in this context implies a sense of destiny or calling to write. The video suggests that if writing is truly one's path, it will happen almost of its own accord, without forcing or external motivations.

Highlights

If writing doesn't come bursting out of you, don't do it.

Writing should come unasked out of your heart, mind, mouth, and gut.

Avoid writing if you have to sit for hours searching for words.

Don't write for money, fame, or to attract women.

Constant rewriting is a sign that you might not be ready to write.

If writing feels like hard work, reconsider your path.

Writing should not be an imitation of someone else's style.

True writing comes when it roars out of you; be patient if it doesn't.

If writing doesn't floor you, consider doing something else.

Reading your work to others too early indicates you're not ready.

Avoid being dull, boring, and pretentious in your writing.

Don't be consumed by self-love; the world doesn't need more of that.

Writing should come out of your soul like a rocket.

Only write if not writing would drive you to madness, suicide, or murder.

The sun inside you should be burning to write.

When it's truly time to write, if you've been chosen, it will happen naturally.

The act of writing will continue until you die or the passion dies within you.

There is no other way to write; it must come from a deep, authentic place.