Is this you in the photograph? Big, hulking, alone among others, a little menacing?
Writing is an hermetic act. Only other writers understand this. It can be seen as purely selfish . “You are wrapped in yourself,” I have been told more than once. “Bloated with your own self-importance.” Non-writers feel cut off, shut out, alone, forever outsiders. I do not know the answer to this, except to share what we write with our loved ones and hope they do not get envious or jealous of our special gift. Or perhaps it is better not to share, to beat others over the head with our little creations.
Perhaps it is better for writers to pair up with writers, like Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath though we all know what a disaster that turned out to be though I am sure there have been happy unions.
*what do you think?
* this post was inspired by Carolyn Cordon’s most recent post
* photo by alex plesovskich on Unsplash
John Malone 
I am sure there is no rule. I thought I would marry an artist but I married a scientist and have no regrets. Writing for him is a chore, for me a pleasure. But I can’t engineer and build a carport/set of shelves/ chicken yard like he can. We respect our differences. And we also have much in common. If you need other artists there are many out there to befriend. I just never found one to be a life partner. Other people find differently.
LikeLiked by 2 people
perhaps you’re right: there are no rules, just examples 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
There is definitely a perception of self-indulgence about it – the idea of squirrelling yourself away on a laptop as opposed to ‘doing something useful’ etc.!
LikeLiked by 4 people
thanks Matthew; I think that’s more likely the reason than the element of jealousy
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bringing different thoughts, different ways of looking at things to others, that is a great gift,and if others can’t see the value of that, I feel sorry for them. Writers look above, beyond, behind, and underneath, at times, and while some may be scared by what they discover, further thought can bring understanding. It may take time, because we are all at different stages in our lives …
LikeLiked by 2 people
Agreed! 👆That’s why we do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautifully said, Carolyn: a wonderful refutation to those who find our activities indulgent !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you John. Without new idea, or deep thought on old ones,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, without ideas, and deeper thinking, mankind is unable to rise above the basest of our base instincts. Mankind on the whole, surely it is a fine goal, to learn, and to attain wisdom?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have been told many times by my family how I ‘waste time on phone’ and ‘should do something useful’ instead. It hurts because I do all this AFTER i’m done with household chores and office work. But well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I guess.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree, hence me putting the quote in inverted commas!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah! Doesn’t lessen the hurt though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, i think many people don’t consider writing as a vocation, or ‘life’s work’, merely a selfish indulgence. it’s interesting
LikeLiked by 3 people
I try not to do ‘writerly ‘ things around my partner and friends but wait till I am alone; that seems to work 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe varies with the individual and their experiences …
LikeLiked by 1 person
agreed: there can be no hard and fast rules: we humans are complex and variable
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even when there is no one there to accuse you directly, the echoes of previous accusations can give rise to feelings of guilt and a persistent that “I should be doing something productive”….
Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett seems to have been a decent match, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahh yes: forgot all about them, and that classic poem: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways ….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the trick is not to put too much weight on the labels. I once invited my husband to a writing group out of politeness. I figured he would turn it down. After all, I was The Writer and Husband was Not The Writer. Instead, Husband not only showed up, he wrote an amazing 15 minute prompt poem (much better than mine, and I thought I was the Queen of 15 Minute Prompt Poems), gave great feedback, and had a great time. I was actually quite upset. Like, how dare he step on my turf, although it is completely idiotic to think that one can “own” writing.
But also, you’re never too much of a writer to not do the dishes, or not take out the trash. Thinking you are is a good way to breed resentment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol ; yes, that can happen and so true for us writers not too get Above ourselves; and prompts can be tricky for seasoned writers especially if you need time to mull over things 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person