Conversations with writers on ” Why writers write”

Here I’ve attached the transcripts of a conversation recorded with various writers, in order to help answer the questions posed by the university lecturer.

“As you are listening, consider:

• How did these writers come to write?
• Why did they start to write?
• Were there any similarities in their respective journeys towards writing?

You’ll discuss your thoughts in the next step.

(Text: © The Open University; Images: © The Open University/J Vespa (Garland)/Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert (Roberts)/David Levenson (Gurnah). Ben Stansall (Roffey)/Ulf Andersen (de Bernières) – all via Getty Images/Rory Carnegie (Pears); Audio: © The Open University/Alex Garland/Michèle Roberts/Tim Pears/Abdulrazak Gurnah/Monique Roffey/Louis de Bernières.)”

Answers to given questions?

How did these writers come to write?

These writers adopted writing as a youthful pastime, playing with writing as their means of play. It was either something that was naturally encouraged in their homes, or something they were naturally drawn to.

Why did they start to write?

Most started writing in order to make sense of complexities within their lives.

Were there any similarities in their respective journeys towards writing?

Yes, there were similarities.

Although they each came from diverse home backgrounds, they are all at some level English speakers from a somewhat British background (existing commonwealth countries’ inhabitants), with opportunities to write in a culture that appreciates story-telling, theater and drama…while unpacking life in their written work.

The writing journey starts

“It’s helpful to listen to what other writers have to say about the wish to write, but it is also important to listen to yourself too.

Does any of what the novelists say in Why writers write resonate with your own feelings and experiences of why you want to write?

Discuss some of their responses in relation to your own motivations and reasons for wanting to write. Ask:

• What were the similarities in their respective journeys towards writing?
• How much did fact mix with fiction in the way their own life experience and personal circumstance influenced them as writers?
• What elements of your life experience and personal circumstance do you think might influence your writing?

© The Open University”

Submission: Final Answers

What were the similarities in their respective journeys towards writing?

Most had families with literary backgrounds, and a need to understand the world they find themselves in. To a degree, I believe you are a product of your environment… My family is South African, plenty of other languages abound however as an ex-British colony South Africa has English as a first language. My mum teaches English, and my dad is an insatiable traveler and avid reader with a wonderful understanding of world dynamics – the two were absolute characters to grow up amongst. Add to that the different ways the two cultures view life, my mum being Indian-ish and my dad’s Arab-ish – so alive, competitive, and I suppose feisty.

How much did fact mix with fiction in the way their own life experience and personal circumstance influenced them as writers?

The stories that surrounded them provided fuel for their imagination, allowing various re-creations and alternative viewpoints to mingle with their own life experiences … forming their own stories.

What elements of your life experience and personal circumstance do you think might influence your writing?

Once you realise that memory is fallible, you understand the importance of documentation. I write all the time, pen for work and pencil for personal… pencil is soft on paper and words flow more easily then. I think all the elements of my life experience and personal circumstances influence my writing. I live in a wonderfully beautiful, super sunny 3rd world country with loads to moan about. Life – if you aren’t crying about it you can enjoy laughing over it.