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Rice University's Undergraduate Literary Magazine

Why Do People Write Books?

2/26/2018

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Like...regular books? Like in a bookstore?

I mean, yeah, like regular books.

I don’t know, I think there’s two reasons that people write. Either that they love it, and they like telling stories, or they’re passionate about something and they want to get it on paper, or they’re just passionate about something. Like people wonder why I write for the newspaper and do opinions and stuff since I don’t talk a lot.

You do opinions?

Sometimes.

I’m more surprised that you have time to write for the newspaper.

It’s like extra homework.

Okay, let me ask you another question. Your favorite book is Anna Karenina.

Yes!

Why do you like it?

I mean, honestly...because I just got so sick of reading in high school because you’re forced to read so many books you don’t like that I just stopped reading completely, until I chose that class...it was just so different. The style of writing. Every small thing had some bigger thing about it, and every time I read it again I notice something new.

What did you learn?

What did I learn?

This is important. I have to finish my blog post.

Don’t cheat on your significant other...I’d say that’s probably the strongest message. Or like...stay away from men named 󠀠󠀠󠀠󠀠󠀠󠀠󠀠

Men named what? Bromsky?

Like V as in Volcano. Vronsky.

Ohhhhh.

I don’t know, it seems like something that would be more modern, because you have a love triangle, and a secret forbidden romance, but I really liked the writing style. Like the plot seems modern but the writing style is so different. It’s like a puzzle.

Do you think books should have a lesson? Or, like, do you think when someone writes a book--okay, the way I’m asking this is like, really bias-ing, but I don’t know how else to ask it. Like do you think you can learn something from a book that the author didn’t like--you know, or is it just like--you know. Okay, that’s my question.


I don’t think every book has an explicit lesson in it. I feel like people that write books probably have some reason that they’re writing it, but I don’t think that necessarily comes out in the writing. At least for me, more often than not I will learn some lesson from a book, but I don’t think it’s the same for everyone. I think the way you interpret a book is different based on how you think.
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Written by Rynd M.
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Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

1/29/2018

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Veteran writers have been known to come up with witty replies to the question: I get my ideas from the Idea Shop down the road, or I’m subscribed to the Daily Ideas mailing list, or There is an Ideas Box hidden deep in my basement where I withdraw to seek inspiration. There is definitely no informative or useful way to answer this question. However, ideas can be obtained by actively seeking and recognizing inspiration from your surroundings and from within yourself. Here are some methods through which I find interesting, relevant and original ideas:
 
Newspapers & Magazines: Staying updated on what’s going on in the world is a foolproof method for staying inspired. Political trends and important current events can provide the spark you need to build complex storylines. For example, I recently read an article about the hurdles of inter-religious marriage, and that sparked in me the idea for a story about a boy and girl from warring communities who fall in love with each other, and, in a tragic twist, ultimately end up dying for their love.
 
Novels, Short Stories & Poems: Reading other people’s works doesn’t only provide you with loads of inspiration for character, plot and setting, but it also helps you become a better writer and gauge what is fresh or relevant. For example, I’ve noticed that in most fiction, there is a goal or objective which the characters aspire to, and a series of obstacles to it that shape their journey. That sparked in me the idea of writing a story with a destination, like a lighthouse that represents something different for every character, as its focal point. As they say, all good writers were first good readers.
 
Daily Life: It is often recommended that writers carry around a journal with them and develop the habit of noting down interesting things in their environment. The everyday things happening around you can provide the seed for your next story. The music blaring from my neighbors’ party made me imagine a story where the main character throws big and lavish parties, secretly in the hopes that the girl he likes will wander into one.
 
Personal Experience: The most relatable and emotional fodder for writing usually comes from the ups and downs of your own life. And it doesn’t all have to be heartbreak and gloom. It can be as simple as the time my friend set me up on a terrible date, which inspired me to write a story about a girl who is a matchmaker and likes to set up all her friends, but is completely unaware of her own feelings.
 
Dreams: Which brings us to the final, undeniable ocean of inspiration for all writers. Don’t listen to any of those people who tell you that dreams aren’t helpful when it comes to writing fiction, or that they don’t translate well to reality. How else would I have come up with the idea for my story about a school where kids learn magic and fight an evil lord to save the world?

Written by Sanvitti S. 
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