Finding Motivation as a Writer - (writing advice)

Why do you want to write? What do you hope to get out of writing? Here I discuss the importance of understanding your deepest motivations so you can set the right goals and avoid dependence on external validation.
This video is part of my series "Becoming a writer when you have a full-time job." For all the videos in the series, check out the entire playlist here: • Becoming a Writer (whe...
Twitter: @danagioiapoet
Website: danagioia.com

[@shylanambiar4316]

I'm afraid I don't have the same grand, philosophical vision Dana has. I just love the craft of words. A good way to spend your brief time on this earth is to devote yourself to something you truly like or are fascinated by. You can't go wrong with that.

[@danagioia6943]

Poetry isn't just one thing. It is a language that can describe everything from the cosmic to the personal. We all naturally prefer certain kinds of poetry. The pleasure of language being used inventively and masterfully is, by itself, one of the chief pleasures of poetry.. So you are right.

[@Nimue1974]

Thank you, this is so true. I think with social media today as well it’s easy to get caught up in the kind of thinking where you feel as if someone always needs to be giving you likes for validation or something isn’t worth doing !
I find it hard when my friends and family aren’t interested in poetry/ literature and don’t understand it the way I do so I can’t really share what I write in a meaningful way with close people either.
As you say the person you need to write for most is yourself and then the rest is a bonus 🖤

[@danagioia6943]

I like to think that my videos help create a sort of invisible community to support the things we value in common. I am glad you feel the same way.

[@tomgoff6867]

I agree that "Why be a writer?" is the fundamental question and, as Mr. Gioia expresses it, a spiritual question. He gives a fine answer; I have my own inner answer, as will all writers, but it is the effort of asking and answering that matters.

[@taylorharbin3948]

I wish I had learned this a long time ago. I got too focused on being noticed and now after a year of burnout I’m just beginning to recover (trauma was the catalyst but that’s another story.)

[@nickc7856]

Thank you Dana. Your videos are so helpful at asking the big questions. This video alone is the first thing I will answer before deciding to commit to write.

[@lisajadehutchings6239]

Thank you for this.

[@hadarahbatyah]

That was powerful. Thank you.

[@RottiesTrue]

The depth of your words touches my lonely existence in the world of superficiality which surrounds me.