Does Writing Make You Happy?

James Scott Bell
I’m on the road this week, teaching at the ACFW Conference in Indianapolis. Instead of a normal post, I want to hear from you. I’m interested in how you would answer this question. So have at it:


Does writing make you happy?



15 thoughts on “Does Writing Make You Happy?

  1. Happiness as a writer to me is always making forward progress–whether writing, researching, marketing, or one of the other tasks tied to it.

    Not moving forward means very unhappy to me.

  2. The writing itself, yes. The business aspects of fiction publishing, not usually. Somewhat in contrast to that, I’m a full-time freelance writer and the business aspects of that I’m happy with about 90% of the time. It may be a control issue.

  3. I enjoy writing, especially when I produce something that strikes me as “wow, I wrote that and I really like it”. When I can read it more than once and continue through the editing process and still think it’s really neat I feel like I’m on the road to success (even if it’s just a personal sense of success). I am always happy when I complete something, because I did and accomplished something. Sometimes you just get that nagging idea or voice in your head and you just have to get it down, when you do, that is happy also.

  4. When the writing is going well, it’s enjoyable. When it’s not, it’s frustrating in the extreme. So the writing affects my day-to-day mood, perhaps, but not my overall sense of well being. I think one’s personality is basically set to maintain a certain “happiness” level, give or take a bit depending on circumstances.

  5. Writing does make me happy. I am not a published author, but I am a dreamer. Words are powerful, beautiful, and intoxicating. I love writing letters, blogs, stories, and lists. I dream to be a published author yet I will not allow myself to head in that direction because of fear. I fear that others will criticize my work, that it will be torn to shreds, and honestly….I know that is reality. I dream of being a writer because there is nothing in this world I would rather do than be paid to write. What a glorious undertaking!

  6. 70% of the time I am happy writing. 20% of the time it’s a bit of a slog and I feel like everything I put down on the page is drivel. 5% of the time I am so frustrated I could scream…but then there is that elusive, beautiful 5% when I feel so elated, I dance around the room, kissing the air. It’s that final 5%that makes it all worthwhile:)

  7. Funny that this topic should post on the day of the ACFW Awards Banquet. I’m very honored to win in my Genesis category so that’s a resounding YES! for me—writing makes me happy. ๐Ÿ˜Ž

  8. I would say that storytelling makes me happy. I get quite wrapped up in telling stories and making people feel emotions out of thin air.

    Whether it is on stage, sitting around a fire, in a mic for audio, or via text, when I see that someone’s mood has been altered because of my story I feel like I can touch the clouds.

  9. Good God, yes. I LOVE it.

    I frequently stop to be thankful that I have fingers that make typing easier…and to say a quick little prayer that nothing ever happens to them.

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