I’ve been reading Lydia Davis’s essays and translations for decades. In her new book, Into the Weeds (2025), Davis takes the reader “into the weeds” of her writing process. She discusses the books that most affected her writing like Moby Dick (1851) and John Ashbery’s Other Traditions (2001).
“When I began trying in all honesty to answer the question of why I write, one of the first answers I came to was for the pleasure of it.” (p. 12). I’m sure most of us can relate to that. When I’m in the groove and the words are just pouring onto my computer screen, I’m totally delighted.
“I don’t write to convey a message, and I don’t write stories to achieve any particular purpose, I don’t write stories to persuade a reader of something I believe, though I have many, many beliefs.” (p. 13) Many writers claim they write to entertain the reader. Holding the reader’s interest–especially in the case of 1000+ page novel–is a talent I marvel at.
Vladimir Nabokov once wrote: “I happen to be the kind of author who in starting to work on a book has no other purpose than to get rid of that book.” (p. 125). Stephen King admits he’s addicted to writing.
We all have various motives for the writing we do. Why do you write? GRADE: B+
Because I’m a rotten singer!
Bob, but you’re a great dancer!
I think it’s usually an attempt to say something that strikes me as true (even as fiction) that I’m not seeing (even if through my own negligence) anyone else say in quite the manner that I am proposing. And to also attempt to connect, at times too bluntly for that purpose.
Todd, I find writing a blend of Fun and Work. I like to communicate my ideas, but I also want to express them in good prose. The Art of Writing is a life-long struggle for me…
What little writing I do is to get my enthusiasms and opinions out there. in actual fact, I don’t really care if people respond to what I have to say, or even if they bother to read it. Just typing things out and pressing that SEND button is more than enough for me.
Jerry, I certainly look forward to your writing! As much as I enjoy your enthusiasms, I also love your snarky remarks!
I like Davis’s writing. I’ve read a lot of her short (usually very short) stories.
I write what I write because I have no talent for fiction.
Jeff, fiction is tricky. Lydia Davis did a great translation of Proust’s Swann’s Way.
I like communicating with friends and friends on Facebook and doing reviews and of course this blog.
Maggie, you always make the blog better when you contribute!