5 Reasons Why I Write

Oct 17 2007

This is a question I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Why do I write? Let’s face it, the life of a writer can be tough, especially if you’re trying to make a living at it. And if you write fiction or poetry, don’t quite your day job just yet.

Okay, so let’s say you do managed to get published and earn a meager living composing words. Unlike a rock star, you won’t have groupies or roadies catering to your every need. You won’t have autograph hounds camping on the street next to your house. You will probably even be able to go to the store without anyone recognizing you. Then, to top it all off, writing is such a solitary activity that I guarantee you won’t have thousands of screaming fans urging you on as you pen that new bestselling novel.

Now that we’ve established most writers (even successful ones) go without the money and fame (yes, there are always exceptions), let’s strip all that away. Forget about money and fame and just concentrate on the writing part. For one thing, writing is hard work. It takes a lot of energy to maintain the level of creativity need to write an entire short story, or even a novel! Furthermore, the urge to only write when feeling "inspired" is almost unbearable at times (I fall into this trap more than I care to admit).

For the sake of this post I won’t even go into doubting your own abilities, self-critiquing, the agony of writer’s block and the uncountable other maladies writers tend to suffer.

So again I ask: why do you write? Since I’m asking the question, I’ll take a shot at answering first. Here’s a short list of reasons why I write (in no particular order):

1. I use writing as a creative outlet. Some people paint, others knit, I just happen to write.

2. The satisfaction of completing a short story, or even a poem, is worth all the effort and heartache. Having someone else read and like my work is a bonus.

3. I read a lot. My compulsive need to read is a large part of why I write. Other books and stories inspire me and I often find myself thinking "I can write a better story than that" or I’ll get inspired by the possibility of an idea that sends me on a creative surge.

4. Writing can be as personable or as public as you want to make it. Sometimes I’ve written things that I know no one else will read, and that’s fine by me.

5. I can write anywhere. This is a big plus for me. Musicians are often limited to practicing in places where they won’t disturb others. Painters need all their supplies. But writing can be done anywhere, with as little as a small notebook and pen.

By no means is this a complete list. I can probably go on for a while listing out my reasons for writing, but that’d probably get boring very quickly. I think you get the idea though.

My entire point for writing this thread is to make you think about your own reasons for wanting to spend your life writing down words (sans fame and fortune). If you find yourself feeling uninspired, bored with writing, or even feeling your work isn’t very good (a common problem we all face), then it helps to sit down and think about why you began writing in the first place.

Your reasons don’t have to be complicated or fancy or even make a whole lot of sense to anyone else, they just have to be true to who you are. Writing isn’t easy, and it doesn’t get any easier. But at the same time, it can be one of the most satisfying activities I, or anyone else, can pursue!

One Response

This is a great post. I used to write for creative outlet; now I’m freelancing and blogging and that pretty much uses up all my creativity but I still have a lot of poems and of course that novel in me somewhere!
I like your site. Think I’ll put you on my blogroll

Melissa Donovan 10/18/2007 1:37 am