so you want to be a writer? - Bella Cardenas's Blog

<pre>if it doesn't come bursting out of you<br>in spite of everything,<br>don't do it.<br>unless it comes unasked out of your<br>heart and your mind and your mouth<br>and your gut,<br>don't do it.<br>if you have to sit for hours<br>staring at your computer screen<br>or hunched over your<br>typewriter<br>searching for words,<br>don't do it.<br>if you're doing it for money or<br>fame,<br>don't do it.<br>if you're doing it because you want<br>women in your bed,<br>don't do it.<br>if you have to sit there and<br>rewrite it again and again,<br>don't do it.<br>if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,<br>don't do it.<br>if you're trying to write like somebody<br>else,<br>forget about it.<br><br><br>if you have to wait for it to roar out of<br>you,<br>then wait patiently.<br>if it never does roar out of you,<br>do something else.<br><br>if you first have to read it to your wife<br>or your girlfriend or your boyfriend<br>or your parents or to anybody at all,<br>you're not ready.<br><br>don't be like so many writers,<br>don't be like so many thousands of<br>people who call themselves writers,<br>don't be dull and boring and<br>pretentious, don't be consumed with self-<br>love.<br>the libraries of the world have<br>yawned themselves to<br>sleep<br>over your kind.<br>don't add to that.<br>don't do it.<br>unless it comes out of<br>your soul like a rocket,<br>unless being still would<br>drive you to madness or<br>suicide or murder,<br>don't do it.<br>unless the sun inside you is<br>burning your gut,<br>don't do it.<br><br>when it is truly time,<br>and if you have been chosen,<br>it will do it by<br>itself and it will keep on doing it<br>until you die or it dies in you.<br><br>there is no other way.<br><br><b>and there never was.<br><br></b>-Charles Bukowski <br><br>One of the best poems I've read in a long time. Chuck is definitely one of the best. Just wanted to share. Hope everyone is well. <br>*Bella<br></pre>

Michael Degenhardt Date: 2/6/2009 10:17:00 AM Every word of this write is so very true! You say so much in this about the art that comes from us, or rather if it comes from us. I believe too that what we write should never be forced, pure ly natural. I'm glad to see others who agree. Michael Login to Reply

Derrick Burton Date: 1/16/2009 9:39:00 AM Deep poetry, but lets look at the other artist of the world shall we. 1] Actors 2] painters 3] dancers, now all these of the following are currently making good money and I dont believe any are doing it for their passion alone. Rather an artist is doin it for any reason at all that doesnt sit well with the masses doesnt mean they are not still an artist. It means they are good at some thing and want to make a living off their talent. If that was the case, in the name of poetry sites woulnt advertise on poetry sites or etc smile] love your poetry and have a good day. Login to Reply

Yoni Dvorkis Date: 1/2/2009 7:21:00 AM Hi Bella, While Chuck has a valid point, I think Sean has a better one, that we all feel completely inadequate at this. I for one am a fierce editor of the 'work' I do because I don't trust that it'll come out perfect on my first try, as if God himself is talking to me as Chuck seems to think with his divine inspiration of the soul. Ultimately every one of us has a right to try this. If we suck, that revelation will come. In the meantime, I've learned a lot about what I want to avoid in my own writing by viewing other people's work, which means I am equally indebted to the 'subpar' writers (like I can judge:)) as well as the 'par' ones. For that matter, I am indebted to you and your post as I seem to have a strong reaction to reading it. Thanks for sharing... you remind me why I like this site so much. Login to Reply

Michael Jordan Date: 12/31/2008 10:10:00 PM Well Bella I reckon so - What comes comes from deep within and it seems to be its own entity - I'm just the fool holding the pen - Hit me like a bolt of lightening one day in Prison and my life has never been the same - What comes out comes out and a lot of the time I wish it didn't - I reckon there is a reason though and as long as I'm so strongly compelled to do it I reckon I will - Great Blog Bella - you are a gift, Happy New Year, MJ Login to Reply

Sharon Winter Date: 12/30/2008 3:23:00 PM Hi Bella. Thanks for sharing this brilliant poem that sinks in deeply. I truly love and appreciate the message. So nice to see you here again. Warmest wishes for a beautiful new year. love, shar Login to Reply

Sean Kelly Date: 12/30/2008 2:00:00 PM Hi Bella , I do believe , we all write because we enjoy it . I am one of the " least posting " individuals , here , but I enjoy the rapprochement that commenting brings . The day I stop enjoying this ( even unpaid ) is the day I will quit . Mr. Bukowski , penned something that each one of us feels , on a regular basis . PS , I was joking about the kick-boxing ; lt would play hell, with my ingrowing toe nails . Login to Reply

Bella Cardenas Date: 12/30/2008 12:25:00 PM Hi Sean. When I read this poem, I interpret it quite differently than you did. I think what this poem means, Sean, is that if one wants to become a professional writer in any of the written mediums, one should do it because it feels right and can't live without it. Ideally, it should translate to any career or vocation, in a perfect world. It hits home because I am a journalist, and I do it because I love to write, not for money or for a big time break. I do it because I love it. So did Chuck. Login to Reply

Sean Kelly Date: 12/30/2008 8:27:00 AM Thanks Bella ( & Chuck ) . I have taken the nib out of my pen , stubbed the pencil and plugged-out the typewriter . I will now take up hang-gliding ( blindfold ), kick-boxing and will apply for bog-snorkling lessons ....Meanwhile , as I sit on the writers-block , have a great 2009 ... Rgds, Sean ... Login to Reply

Margaret Okubo Date: 12/30/2008 6:59:00 AM Wonderful poem and the lesson so true. Thank you Bella. Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 12/29/2008 6:15:00 PM There's lot to agree with there, however, i must say there are emotions and emotional interactions I have tryed over and over again to to put into words. in my mind each reflection has enriched both the verse and the communication. Not every verse is as good as it can be the first time it bursts forth for the heart or don't you agree? Light & Love Debbie Guzzi Login to Reply

Christopher Higgins Date: 12/29/2008 4:14:00 PM Thanks for sharing this..I loved it!!!!..Happy New Year. Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 12/29/2008 3:30:00 PM Where are you Ms. Cardenas? We miss your fire on the soup. Soup is much better when the fire's burning. You can still change the world!! Vince Login to Reply