Blog Post 1: Quotation on Writing

"Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends, and society are the natural enemies of the writer. He must be alone, uninterrupted, and slightly savage if he is to sustain and complete an undertaking." -Jessamyn West

Must writing be a solitary occupation? I'm not sure whether to agree or disagree with Jessamyn West's assessment of writing as a profession. Obviously, writing in solitude has its advantages. I, for one, cannot write efficiently when anyone is nearby. The constant threat that someone might criticize my incomplete, unpolished work is too much for me to bare--I'll let them see my work when I'm ready! When I'm absolutely alone, I know that I can do--or think--whatever I desire, which is exactly the state of mind necessary for brainstorming. Overall, there are fewer interruptions, and, if necessary, the hardcore writers can really let themselves go, allowing more time and effort to be directed towards writing.

Solitude can be truly beneficial, but writers shouldn't necessarily think of family, friends, and society as enemies. Writers should use all available resources to their advantage. Family, friends, and society can all be used for feedback--once the writer is ready for feedback, of course. This feedback can allow the writer to see additional points of view, revealing the opinions of audiences that might not have been considered.

Writers should also consider other aspects like time of day and background noise. For example, I prefer writing around midnight while listening to some classic rock. There is no specific rule that says where and when writers should work; writers should do whatever is most comfortable and allows them to freely express their point of view.

Jessamyn West's statement holds much truth. Many reasons exist for writers to work in solitude. In my opinion, writers should find a balance between the two that is the most fitting. The best of writers do this while keeping their ideas original, and, at the same time, letting everything nearby influence their writing.