Anyone write just to amuse themselves?

Stuff that you never intend to show anyone else, but that you write just for the enjoyment of having written it, or being able to go back and read it later? I used to do a lot of that in my teen years - if I didn't like the outcome of a TV show, movie, or book, for instance, I'd re-write it to my own specifications. There were stories I wanted to see, which I knew no one else would ever write, so I had to write them myself - but at the same time I knew they were of no interest to anyone other than me. Especially since I commonly used the opportunity to write myself into the story. ;) I was and remain a shameless Mary-Sue-er, even in my "for public consumption" stuff, but the "private" stuff is even more direct.

I'm doing a lot of that again lately. This isn't "journaling" or "dear diary" writing - they're stories or fanfics that I'm writing just for the emotional experience of having written them, the amusement of playing with the characters. A waste of time? Maybe. But I also consider it good practice to keep from getting rusty - for such a time as I ever get back to my sci-fi novels.

I think writing helps me process issues in my life. I also enjoy looking at things I've written years ago.

To me, it's not worth it to go through trying to get something published. Writing for my own amusement is its own reward.



Cher

Don't have time now; too busy trying to drive out the
Bush regime.



http://www.worldcantwait.org/