Thoughts & Things

11 Reasons I Write

I think we all have our own reasons for writing. They are as varied as we are as individuals, but also connected by the themes of writing and being human. I have been pondering exactly why I write. I thought it might be worthwhile to share my own personal reasons for writing, some of which may be familiar to other writers.

1. I love writing. This is the simplest reason of all. I think many of us here write for the love of it, and I think that makes it incredibly pure. I also think sometimes we hate it a little, but we do it because we have something that needs to be said, also a pure motive.

2. It is something I can do with some level of skill, and it feels good to do things I'm good at. I can write, know I didn't fail miserably at it, and know that I get better every time I do it.

3. It's a wonderful creative outlet. Storytelling and idea sharing, all through the written word, gives me that necessary place to put my ideas.

4. It's a wonderful emotional outlet. When everything feels overwhelming, I know I can write it out and get some relief.

5. It gives me something to feel proud of. Knowing I have accomplished something in writing is a magical feeling.

6. It makes my family proud. My mum is so proud of me when I make big steps in my writing. She actually helped me cover the cost to renew my paid account here as an Easter gift. When my grandma was dying, she told me that she wanted me to write more.

7. It gives me a way to sort out confusing thoughts. Everything makes more sense on paper.

8. It gives me something to show off. When people ask me what I've been doing with my time, I can tell them I've been writing. I have the work to prove it. I feel like I've done my homework for life for the day.

9. It gives me something to hide. I can put something on paper, just for me. It can be my own secret, and no one ever needs to know.

10. I can share my thoughts and ideas with other people. How else would you guys ever know the reasons I write if I didn't write them down?

11. I write because I can. This sounds like a "just because" kind of point, but it's not. With all of my health problems, there are a lot of things I can no longer do as effectively. Writing is something I can do.

(I have committed to blogging daily with Give It 100. This is Day Fifty-Six. Seven days of leave taken total.)