Clever line... I didn't realize it's a poem ;), am not a big fan of Bukowski, but I think generally he's right, except... Well, Stephen King's first reader is always his wife. :))
I've never heard this one before, and I prefer Buk's voice reading his poetry. Buk said he was in essence, more interesting than good. Words to that effect. Though I do think at one point in time he was America's greatest short story writer. His pomes and novels speak for themselves, and that might just be a matter of taste. Anyway, take care. Rock on !!
i'm affraid this poem is wrong, i get it's message, but take our current biggest writers for example george RR martin, and even tarentino have talked about how hard it is to stare at a blank piece of paper, yet they managed to create the masterpieces of writing and cinema. if these writers, and many like them, just listened to this poem and decided to "not do it" because it just doesn't burst out of them without effort or putting their heart and soul into it, we wouldn't have masterpieces that they have created.
❤️🔥 “Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think I'm not going to make it but you laugh inside remembering all the times you've felt that way” ❤️🔥 ~ Charles Bukowski 😎
+Anonymous Writer dude, I'm a fan. this shouldn't come as a surprise that you would be watching this video, but it's exciting. anyways, love the stuff you write.
To those who think he's telling you to not be a writer, that's not the message he's implying. This is what he said regarding the poem: "Somebody at one of these places [...] asked me: 'What do you do? How do you write, create?' You don't, I told them. You don't try. That's very important: not to try, either for Cadillacs, creation or immortality. You wait, and if nothing happens, you wait some more. It's like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you. When it gets close enough you reach out, slap out and kill it. Or if you like its looks you make a pet out of it."
Different writers have a different approach. Take Roald Dahl for example, when asked whether he wrote for money he simply said "Yes". While he enjoyed it, he wrote for money, and believed anybody who claimed otherwise was just romanticizing it. IMO, good writing doesn't come *to* a person, it comes *out* of a person - to that end the best course of action is to simply write, and write, and write.
He is definitely telling you not to write. The fly masquerading as your talent. You waiting to smash it or keep it as a pet. I could see the marijuana smoke from here.
This is a great video. So many people are entirely missing the point of the poem. He's not saying don't do it if it's hard or painful or a struggle. He's saying don't do it if it isn't more painful not to. He's talking about the motivations for writing--that it should come from a place of fiery, insatiable passion, a visceral need--not process.This video is meant to be motivational. The mantra of 'don't do it' is like reverse psychology. A writer is someone you would still write even if they knew no one else would ever read a word they wrote. That's it. If that's you, you're a writer.
Im going to tell you a secret. You dont become a writer. You write. Thats all. The thing is some writers write in blood. Being a writer means writing. Creating something authentic or moving is bleeding. Bukowski assumed you didnt know.
While I admire Bukowski's work, I question this advice. So many of the great authors struggled over their writing - Orwell once said that writing a book is comparable to a long bout of some painful illness, but he had no choice. No one is able to simply pick up a pen and effortlessly create to their full potential. Art takes work. It takes discipline. Not everyone should be a writer, of course, but inherent talent is only one part of the equation.
Violet Fearon You have absolutely and unequivocally missed the point of this poem and the clue is in your admission that Orwell "had no choice". Having no choice means that one MUST do it. One is compelled to do it. This is precisely the kind of impulse Bukowski insists one should have before writing.
+Violet Fearon Well said. CB's advice should ring true with anyone who has ever attempted to write anything. It is a grueling process, but, the person that constantly wants to put his pen down, should. If you hold on to that pen no matter how painful it becomes, you are meant for it. I believe that is the message. He says, " if it is hard work just thinking about it, don't do it."
I just realized that writing is my first love. Even before I loved reading I always wanted to write. God and there I was thinking that falling in love was impossible to ever happen to me. Honestly I think writing is so hard and I did all the things in the poem that should stop me from writing. But here I am - totally lovestruck and I know I won't ever stop because I wouldn't endure it. Because it would break my heart. Okay now I think I'm ready to write some more... Thanks for the video!
A friend shared this link. I am 34 years old and first time i every heard it. I will say this is how I feel to the tee. I write because it makes me feel good. I know my stories full of spelling and grammar errors. But they make me happy. When i finish a good short story i feel so happy. This speaks volumes to me. Thank you for this video.
I have had a pretty beat day, i've just been kind of moody. I'm a writer and this has just stripped all the pain and worries about my writing away just for a moment. So thank you ol' Bukowski
I feel like sharing... I've been wanting to be a writer as long as I can remember. This dream has given me strength to push through hard times so many times I can't even count. It's the only thing I want in life. Cheers to everyone like me whether your dream is to be a rocket scientist or a footballer or a chef or a writer. Only people like us know that burning desire, that eternal, unquenchable fire within that marks almost every moment of our lives. It's the reason we breathe, love and live. Here's to the dreamers and our dreams. May we never give up even if it takes the next life. Work hard and shine on, guys. Love, xxx.
The man was a GENIUS! And he gives good advice... DON'T DO IT! RIP Charles You were one of a kind. We could sure use your wisdom in these trying times.
One out of many thousands of abused boys will grow out to tell about it. Not that the boy wants to, he just cannot not to. It flows out becomes art and makes him an artist as honest as a child that never cares to be a celebrity. One of those boys was called Charles, Charles Bukowski "An honest man is always a child." Socrates
I just had some ideas, and i started to write with my old computers. I kept writing and writing. I didn't realise i have spent four and half hours writing! It felt like half of that, and i still want to continue writing. The ideas are just keep coming non-stop.
From reading the comments I feel like a lot of people are misinterpreting this poem, or not seeing it for the encouraging piece it is. He speaks that art cannot be formed by shallow ambition. The line "unless it comes out of your soul like a rocket, unless being still would drive you to suicide or madness or murder, don't do it", I interpret as unless you have to do it, don't do it. That you being a creator has to be, or else you shall not be. That it requires all of you,. It cannot be considered hard work because the hard work is part of it. It is walking against the tide of your darker mind and through that struggle for it, it comes. This is still just my interpretation but for me it helps me a lot with how to be creative. I can understand the other arguments to it still, but it is what you make it.
the problem with this attitude, that it doesnt apply to anything else other than writing.for example, if you want to be a jazz musician, you have to train real hard. or an artist illustrator, you have to learn lots of skills, to be able to produce that art. it seems as if he speaking purely ideas. which are also pretty damn tough, because suppose you do have an idea, and it didn't came out good, not in the way anyone can figure it out, what your idea was. or understand its emotion, what's the point of putting something that is poorly performed? is in written badly? to my eyes an artist performance is crucial to what he is trying to convey. to whom is he conveying? if its only to himself? whats the point? self therapy? you can just think it over and be done with it. no. the purpose of a writer is to show his art. not to keep it to himself. there is also no love in holding everything to yourself. and when you don't do it for yourself, you'll have to convey yourself, and in that comes sort of training.
Not so. And how would it apply to writing and not painting? The greatest jazz musicians--musicians/artists in general are mostly self-taught as anyone can learn to play or paint or write, but what makes you an artist is that it flows through you, "all by itself" and it "does it al by itself"--ie, it takes over you and does what the hell it wants THROUGH you..."If you have been chosen".....
I’ve passed this advice on to many artists, but only a few understand the context. If you can live without ever making another thing using creativity, it’s time to find a new trade skill. We make art because the alternative is more painful than the creative process. Writers block, artist block are myths. Resistance is a sign you have a good idea, when it intimidates you but in a exciting way that’s a rare opportunity. Make what you want to see get made, if others share your taste they’ll follow your work. Every artist has their audience, even if it’s difficult at first to benefit professionally.
That's insanely pretentious. Write if you like writing. Don't write if you don't like writing. Who gives a shit. Do it, don't do it, all the same. You don't have to live through tragedy and grief and love and glory to be able to write a good story.
@@mikewazowski4860 explain what’s pretentious about helping to pick a career, for people new to making art seeking that advice. If money is your only incentive for doing something, art is one of the worst paths to pick in those terms. The problem with people like you is you’re so full of shit that you can’t help but talk down to others, pathetic attempt at criticizing someone who wasn’t even talking directly to you in the first place. Here’s your attention, now go have a nice day.
I just the other day discovered this man's work. Sad but not really angry. Dark, but with a glimmer of light. Spoken by a man who knows the light exists but denies it. There are several Bukowski poems here on youtube. They are all good but the ones narrated by Charles are the best. The timber of his voice and the measured cadence of his dictation just give the prose more life.
This is so true. I explode with poetry against my very will often and people who are never emotional feeel for what seems the first time. I know I am a writer by birth rite. Words are beautiful and they are our best hope in causing someone to understand what we mean with poetry and books holding the greatest truths.
I love his words, but I encourage people to write anyway if they're good at it, even if it doesn't come bursting out of you. Writing is a great way to keep the mind sharp, it's a valuable tool that can best be improved by doing it as much as possible, it's a great way to communicate especially if speaking is not your strong suit, and if you can make a living from it it sure beats most other things, in my opinion. You don't have to write novels and poetry. Write comments on RU-vid.
Yes.... I am proud of my RU-vid comments. I've spent my life dropping pearls of wisdom for a few random strangers. Idk why. I just try to help humanity. -_-
If you’re thinking of writing a comment criticizing the message of this poem, Don’t do it If you feel the urge to explain away these words because they confuse you, Don’t do it If you want to argue that hard work is what makes a writer a writer, Don’t do it If you’re thinking of referencing an anecdote from a shitty author, Don’t do it If you want to argue with yourself about the logic of a dead poet, Don’t do it Unless it is clever or funny or kind - That’s the only way good comments are made And it’s the only way they ever were
Oops! Too late, already did it. Sorry. People have differing opinions, differing writing processes, differing personal experiences. What's the point of a comment section where everyone agrees?
True but, I think it's hypothetical? I read somewhere he wrote sleaze for some porn mag ? TO finance his drinking and stuff like this ? Maybe the sleaze trash was his inspiration for "Don't do it?"
You can't help but feel for the sentiment behind the poem. "It" is something that isn't always at your beck and call, but it is misleading to say it must come out naturally. How many writers traced over the works of masters, read books on books, edited, and then re-edited. What would the corpus of literature look like if it excluded anything that wasn't the product of divine inspiration? All of it takes work. But the need to write, the words ooze out of your mouth and mind, like the by-product of some illness must flow on its own. You will have to shape it. over and over again, until it mirrors the exact inner working of the instability that produced it. If that raw material doesn't flow, if the water has yet to reach the mouth of that font, THEN....don't do it. It is not time, you are not ready. Pressure needs to gather. You need perspective. You should just live.
Nah, tho. I mean, sometimes this is the best advice you could get. Sometimes you really need to step away and do something else. Give yourself a few months, a couple years even, when you've lost the ability to write. I did this recently. I needed it. Badly. But now I'm coming back. When I sat down to write the other day, the words didn't come "roaring" out of me. They sat, still, in the back of my head, refusing to surface. I didn't even know what to write about. But I gave myself time and patience -- didn't hold myself to some mythical standard like this urges -- and the words came back. The truth is there's no magic bullet or perfect advice with this shit. Like anything else in life, you have to find what works for you and what doesn't. Sometimes you need to stop, and sometimes you need to keep on trucking. Find what works for you and don't give up forever because someone pretentious wrote a poem telling you you're not good enough because there's no magic muse whispering in your ear.
I am obsessed with my own poetry. I carry a notepad and pen with me always...because I have sudden moments of inspiration when I have write...right then...and I don't want to lose the thought.
Multiple people interpret this incorrectly. Basically, people believe that Charles tells them to stop writing because they are incapable to do it. Wrong. Charles says that if you are unsure of what you write, insecure, unstable or do it for a completely superficial motive, then you aren’t a writer. It is correct. “Libraries yawn from writers of your kind”, yes. That’s true. Nobody needs such writers. The real, genuine writers are fewer than we believe. Then he explains what IS a writer. Someone who is driven near to madness unless they express through writing. A writer is someone who finds escape in writing, who breathes through it confidently. Who trusts it with their own self and life. That is a writer. That is what Charles is trying to say. Therefore, feeling “angry” and “offended” over this, makes you incapable to understand underlying meaning and things in depth. Therefore, you aren’t a writer, and if you try to become one, you won’t make a change.
It's just a load of shit. Bukowski was extremely hit or miss. I'm not driven to madness because I can't write, writing is just a form of sorting out the causes which induced the madness. Despite that, yes, I'm a writer.
I can say that people like him are very very rare,its shame that there is no people like him in this world(or is it who knows) who can show you some realistic things how to look things differently,his thougths are just amazing :) Rest in peace Legend ! :)
I think what he's trying to say is that writing shouldn't be forced. That you should do it not for approval or recognition but because something deep inside you is compelled to write.
I absolutely love this poem. And its so true in a lot of ways. Everything always comes out of you, flows out. Like pouring water from a pitcher. Either it will burst the fuck out of you or won't come at all. Writing is something you can't tame at all.
Mark Haddon (author of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, an excellent novel that is widely regarded as a modern classic) said that he rewrote the novel about 15 times. That he finds writing incredibly hard work. So, according to Bukowski he shouldn't have wrote it. That's nonsense. Writing is a craft, and like any craft it is one that must be honed, practiced and perfected.
As much as I love Bukowski's work, he was a terribly lazy writer. All I heard in this clip was, "if the muse doesn't come to you, give up." That may have worked for him, but for the majority of us we need to turn the passion into daily word counts, not flurries of brilliance so sweet they never need to be re-written.
I agree with this completely. I love writing to death, but like everything that involves work there are going to be days when you just don't want to do it.To say that you shouldn't be a writer because inspiration isn't bursting out of your skull 24/7 is like saying you shouldn't eat food because you aren't always hungry. It's bullshit.
blakiecakes419 I think it's not about not being talentet, if you do not have a moment of inspiration. He probably just wants people to wait for these moments to write... Not to rewrite everything you just came up with. Some stuff you need to re-edit if you finished, but you should not try to make a passion into an assembly line work.
There will always be the style of writer to whom things have to be labored over and chiseled into perfection . But there is pride in having to sweat over your work. Me, I just sit down and something always comes out. It isn't always good, but its always there. In a way though, its enviable to have to slog through something so it comes out just right. So that every word pops. I think both methods are completely valid.
So touching, so much love contained in so simple words but then so well chosen, what a message, something to think deeply about. Thanks so much for sharing a piece of Charles Bukowski's poetry.
I sometimes wonder if he wasn't writing these things down for notes to future people. Whatever you might make of it, I am thankful to have heard his words.
So many other writers, great writers at that, give the opposite advice: Write anyway. Feeling bored? Write anyway. Stuck in the story? Write anyway. What you write is utter shit? Write anyway, that's what first drafts are for. Go back and rewrite it later. That's how you get better.
99% of the time great authors said they had writers block for months or even years then one day it just came to them....sounds like exactly what bukowski was saying. If the words arent flowing dont write. His advice is just wait for it to happen naturally
"If it doesn't come bursting out of me in spite of everything I don't do it." His genius poetry about the labor of writing only applies to his soul. However, every one of us has a different way to feel the creative process. There is no doubt, his words are magical. It is best though, for the benefit of art itself, to follow your own style, your own path, and forge your own genius.
as someone who dealt with these issues, I can tell the difference if someone is gluing a frankenstien artficial art piece, or something that is magically created with a single seed of love.
I agree, everyone have their own path, but that line you've quoted has literally nothing to do with the sheer labor of writing. From my perspective, it is about having burning passion inside of yourself, directed towards your craft (aka writing). If you feel empty inside, and your words are dry, instead of bursting out, like a rocket, then you won't make a good writer. It is a requirement for being a good artist in general. Otherwise, don't do it. As simple as that.
i appreciate the effort put int this. a lot of commentators dont seem to understand bukowski. the voice is just killing it for me, and the music too, im sure bukowski would hate this haha no offense.
To be honest, I don't think Charles Bukowski ever imagined his poems would be displayed in such a public forum. He enjoyed his anonymity, his craftsmanship; his art.
I think this poem preaches a big chill pill. Stop busting your balls to become something you are not. Often times you aim for something but you don't no the reason. If the reason can't sustain the goal. If its faulty, ignorant or self centered. Then maybe the world is better off without you. Thats basically why ambition is not a virtue in my opinion.
I see many people in the comments saying this is not motivational and calling it bad advice. I beg to differ. This is the most motivational video I have ever seen. His words resonate a discomfort I have become friends with. Writing is never easy. Writing doesn't involve being motivated. It is ugly and painful and this poem is the best there can be to help me face the reality and get on with such a torturing practice as writing. Pretty words only inspire you for 10 minutes but abandon you before the journey even unfolds. If this poem doesn't make you comfortable with writing, don't do it.
dont be like so many people who call themselves writers, dont be dull and boring and pretencious dont be consumed by selflove. The liberaries of the world has yawned themselves to sleep over your kind dont add to that. what a man!
any self proclaimed writer who gets offended or discouraged by this poem needs to relax. Creativity is like water, it'll take any shape it's poured into.
"If you don't feel that unceasing urge to write comedically about your own thinly veiled fantasies of raping mentally handicapped women then you will never be an artist like I, the great Bukowski. Also everyone who doesn't write like I do is either pretentious or stupid. Also no one drinks or smokes like I do even if they've died from it."
This inspired me to stop bullshitting myself. I'm not an artist, i'm not a poet, or a musician. For respect to art i'm quitting. Good luck to everybody.
What Buk meant was if the creativity comes pouring out write it. You have to wait for the inspiration. He’s not implying that your first draft be perfect. He’s saying that if the first draft is truly inspirational write and. Then later correct the typos, the better word choice etc. But for heave sakes don’t show it to your girlfriend or wife or mother. Don’t write because it’s the latest trend. Don’t write for $$$. He’s given you some great reasons not to write. Yes, rewrite once the initial inspiration comes pouring out of you like sweet wine. All love in isolation Al
Shit, all my creative work is a fight, a struggle, endless frustration. I should probably not do it then, according to Bukowski. But the thought of doing anything else makes me wanna blow my brains out. I love Bukowski, but this poem always freaked me out🤣
Then you should do it! That's the point of the poem (which a lot of people are missing)! If you *need* to do it, if you couldn't stand *not* doing it, then you're exactly the sort of person who should write, according to him.
WOOOOOW...!!!!...Majestically beautiful Poem....!!!!....Love the Truth conveyed....A Piece of Art is a God's Work...& the Artists are mere instruments...if its a GENUINE ONE......So only a Genuine Artist can enjoy this poem to its full......!!!
that's the dumbest thing i've heard today, after this poem, look i don't even want to be a writer but the writers that created masterpieces always talk about how hard it is to stare at a blank piece of paper and creating a concept. tarentino, martin, carlin, writers. they didn't magically make it cause they were chosen, effort exists. he was a genius (yes, i've heard his poems and things he has written), so he could just make it with no effort. not every writer. is that way. and those who aren't that way are today's cinema's bigget directors, comic books' superstars, and videogame geniuses. if you want to write. either do it. or don't
Bullshit. Talent is a myth or if it exists, is superficial. Nobody is born a great writer and the only hope anyone has is to have the will to practice and learn.
I think what charles pointed out in this poem is that you must have to allow your thoughts to become words without any motivation..when you start writing without thinking about the world and without thinking about any materialistic thing,when you start writing without any motivation then you should do it....but it takes a lot of time and effort to master any skill🤔
"if you have to sit there and rewrite it again and again, don't do it". Well, Gabriel García Márquez did it, and he is known to be one of the best latin american writers. He rewrote "100 años de Soledad" again and again. He said in interviews that for one page he published, he threw away many of them.
I agree. Rewriting, rethinking is how we ordinary mortals learn. We may not have to if we're Charles Bukowski. But most of us aren't. It doesn't mean we can't enjoy creating. And Recreating!
If after watching this clip, you say "fuck you" Bukovsky, everything applies to me but I'm still going to do it then you're on the right track. If you notice there is a incoherence in this. Things can follow many paths. You can jerk off for your whole young adult life and then one day start writing 30 pages a night, a novel in 2 weeks. That's when it starts bursting out of you. You can start writing from 18 years old, get entangled in your own ideas, re-write it, re-think it millions of times. As long as you keep doing it, it means you're on the right track. The moment you stop and you lose your fire, that's when you should stop doing it (you already did anyway). Who are you to listen to some old, dead, drunk, fart of a man? If his words stop you, it's clear. DON'T DO IT. That's the message it conveys to me.
The amount of people misinterpreting the poem is baffling. Why are you people talking about not wasting any effort or practice in your craft? Or saying that he's discouraging writers? Or that writing is an easy job? Are you even paying attention? Where did Bukowski's poem imply any of that? On the contrary, he's implying that you should give all from yourself into your craft. To be a valuable artist, it has to be a do-or-die mentality. This poem is full of fire, like a rocket, full of love towards writing, and not only of shallow ambition to be called a writer. The best motivational text I've read in a while.
It used to. It used to burst out of me and I couldn't stop, I was writing and writing and writing.... but then it stopped. And now I stare at a piece of paper and nothing comes and I don't know how to get it back.
There is a book inside everyone and most are not worth reading, including mine. I’ve been writing something since 1965, mainly a journal. Thoughts scattered across Texas and the Southwest to the Pacific. Anger, bitterness, disgust; sadness, singing my victimhood, waving its tattered banner. It wasn’t until I finally released all I believed and thought I understood, when I released my conditioned thinking and sad ego, when I even let my mind go its way, that I realized I was soaring with no strings attached. I was starting from scratch, blazing my own path through the clouds. I like Bukowski’s negative approach. It’s a kind of challenge. Each must traverse our individual paths and none are incorrect. Judging has nothing to do with it. Being who you really are is the ticket.
I thought the film at first would not fit in with the poem--but somehow and in a strange sort of way, it did. I believe what CB meant was to write for yourself and write straight from one's heart and all else is secondary.
If this video discourages you, don't let it. Depression cripples creativity. Not all art has to burst out of you. I for one have a hard time working on my projects. I hardly enjoy doing them sometimes. But I could not imagine doing anything else with my time here. You're fighting an uphill battle of mentality and a constant feed of stimulation. Do it. And do it at your pace
Bukowski was great, but had every wannabe-writer taken his advice, we would not have had Fitzgerald or Orwell or Banville or any other writer who has admitted that writing, for them, is a painful and arduous necessity. Thomas Mann described writers as people for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people. So Bukowski's words are poetic but likely untrue, or at least they aren't universal. Writers are not one homogenous mass, and techniques and processes vary. Beckett gives better writing advice in just two words: "Fail better."
This is why I don't want to be a writer. I don't have it in me. I do write, but only when those short bursts of must explode out of me. In those moments I'm a writer. Rest of the time I'm just a reader and that is fine with me. That is me.
As a writer, I've got to say this is probably the opposite of any advice I'd give. If you don't feel motivated, if you have to sit at your desk staring at a computer screen, waiting for the words to come to you, if you have to rewrite it again and again... Do it anyway! If you don't, it'll never get finished. ^_^
I disagree. There's no such thing as a perfect first draft. I imagine anything decent that you've ever read has been written and re-written several times over.
well lets not bring our imaginations into it. and bukowski isn't saying everything you do has to be perfect. he is saying that if the words do not come out but are rather forced out then what you are writing is not genuine but contrived. A writer is an artist, at least good ones are. A lot of people romanticize being a writer and they find it appealing so they force themselves to sit down and hunch over and punch a keyboard and rewrite and change and edit over and over because they don't even know why the fuck their writing in the first place other than the fact that they think it will provide some sort of vague form contentedness or pleasure. They have nothing to say, no burning passion in the pit of their gut. they just want to be a writer in the same way someone might just decide on being an accountant.
I'm just explaining that re-writing is part of the writing process. Decent writers try to improve on what they have instead of just assuming that their first draft was good enough. And whatever way you phrase what Bukowski said, I'm still going to have to disagree. You're right about one thing. A lot of people do romanticize about being a writer. They romanticize that it'll be easy. They romanticize that because they have an idea they're really passionate about, that passion is going to last for months or years until their project is finished. Unfortunately, as most writers know, it doesn't work like that in real life. Passion and motivation for a project tends to fade after time. That doesn't mean that you should give up, or that the project isn't worth finishing. Sometimes you'll have to force yourself to write when you don't want to, but it pays off in the end.
Hmm, I think a more useful exercise is writing what's on your mind. When that creative spark happens, include it in your project. If not, make it a side exercise, something that just encourages you to keep writing and your mind to keep going new places. You can't just wait around for the big cool thing to pop into your head, you also have to be willing to make ridiculous shit on the side.
