And I thought, "Oh, CRAP. They don't? Er, WE don't?"
Because, yes, if I'm working on a story I have a purpose, sure. I'm trying to tell a story! But sometimes, if I haven't written in a while, my fingers get a stiff and a little grumpy and refuse to cooperate with my head anymore so I open a notebook and uncap a pen and write. Just for the sake of writing. Just because it feels nice and soothing and comforting. Writing is my comfort food.
Back to the class, though.
Classmate 51, bless his perverted little soul, raises his hand and says, "My sister does."
"No," the teacher said. "She writes to tell a story or to convince somebody of something."
But for once, I think I was more on the same wavelength with Classmate 51 than I was with my teacher. Sure, I have a purpose if I'm working on a story. But there are also times that I write for no reason other than the pure pleasure of it.
I guess I can afford to cut my teacher some slack, though. She is many good things, but definitely not a creative writer in any sense of the phrase.
Katie
P.S. If you, dear reader, write, do you ever just write for the heck of it, or do you think you usually have a purpose?
Hmm...I'd have to say I tend to have a purpose in my writing. It may be just to please a teacher, for my own stress release, to remember important events/thoughts/feelings, prayer, or to communicate with others, but there's usually a purpose. I lean slightly towards Classmate 51, because I disagree with your teacher's reasoning behind her answer. His sister probably did have a purpose in writing, but it might not have anything to do with communicating with others. It may solely be something she enjoys.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm out of school and away from the monotony of writing papers about things I don't care about, writing is a tool for myself. Even on my blog - it's great that people read it and I love the comments, but I write to relieve stress and record memories. That's just my two cents on the subject. :)
Lol. This is crazy. I write because I love to, for the heck of it. Sometimes I just scribble words on a piece of paper. So sure, I write because I want to. Good enough reason for me! I agree with you though Kate, I think the Teach needs to be taught a little by the students. ;)
ReplyDeleteMeg
Becky: Yes, I agree. To a certain extent, everything written does a purpose. It's just not as clearly defined as the teacher tried to make it seem, I think. :) One of my biggest issues with the material in this class is how tightly it defines things.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about the blogging, also--big stress reliever.
Maybe "because I love to" counts as a purpose, Meg! I should totally ask the teacher. :)))))