Writing; a gift or a dysfunction ?

[kevobuda]

Are a majority of writers gifted or social misfits who can't manage social skills ?

[Angela Stripes]

Well... I could as the same of engineers, doctors, and actors I've met that excel in their field but are a bit more than quirky relational-wise.

However, I did hear a doctor say once that she met writers who were merely trying to provide therapy and mentally process for themselves through writing. It's not that far out there, but on the other hand, I don't think all great writers fit into that box.

It's also hard to say one way or the other, because how would you be able to measure "most of"? There are so many authors alive today, let alone throughout history.

[Ritikadalal]

I would definitely say it's a gift. Oh what a wonderful gift it is. The ability to express yourself and weave a story so beautiful that the reader escapes his real life and gets transported to another world, that is some very real talent.

[Angela Stripes]

I would definitely say it's a gift. Oh what a wonderful gift it is. The ability to express yourself and weave a story so beautiful that the reader escapes his real life and gets transported to another world, that is some very real talent.

Truth!

[Mallory Whitaker]

I would definitely say it's a gift. Oh what a wonderful gift it is. The ability to express yourself and weave a story so beautiful that the reader escapes his real life and gets transported to another world, that is some very real talent.

Agreed!

I do think that some of the things that come along with being a gifted writer can lead to some "social misfit" traits. Or at least introversion. Obviously I can't speak for everyone, I just know that my imagination takes me away from conversations frequently.

[Vivian Paschal]

I strongly believe it's a gift. Yet, I know some people are so gifted in writing that it one way or the other affects their social skills. Yet, some have poor social skills and it improves their writing.

[KS Crooks]

More a gifted than a misfit, though today's misfit could be considered a trend setter tomorrow. We look inside to our dreams and fears or sometimes harsh reality, then do our best to express it on the outside to others.

[BoyLazy]

Gift gift gift.. It's a true gift

[Gifty Naa Akushia]

Yes ! Yes! I perfectly agree that reading is more of a gift than dysfunction in fact a very important gift as that. As humans we need more people with such skills.

[eelavahs-jay]

Writing is both a blessing and a curse for the writer. When things are going great and we're making progress it's amazing. When there's a writer's block or something just not coming out the way I imagined it, then it's hell. Creatives are usually sensitive people. Personally when it comes to my writing it's either of two extremes. I'll feel extremely proud and pleased or disappointed and left feeling like I wasted my time when I could've done other things

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Writing is a gift. But by looking at lives of authors, what we see is their normal functioning has become pathological since they are absorbed too much to their writing

[clint_csperry-org]

I suppose this would be a matter of perspective. For me personally I think a little of both. I cannot 'not' write. I have to drain the crap that is rattling around in my head or I go crazy. Much of what comes out of me people say is gifted. I am still on the sideline about that designation. For some who happen to be able to pour prose or poetry out of their minds that other people love, it can be considered a gift, though i am not sure even that writer would say so.

[Inkroverts]

I think "social misfits" are more of a stereotype? My professors who teach writing courses are very sociable and not awkward at all. One of them even got on a talk show.