for the Creatives, for the Writers

Why I Do What I Do

I thought it fitting that I start this blog with an explanation. The book A Year of Writing Dangerously is full of inspiration for writers and ends with a list of 52 writer’s prompts – one for each week of the year. Number 12 asks to write about why we want to write.

My Response:

I want to write because I want to create. I want control. I want to be okay with losing control.

I want to write because I want to escape. I want to explore. I want to imagine.

I want to write because I want to have deep relationship without risk. I want to know and be known, even if I have to fake it through characters.

I want to write because I want to be heard. I want to write because I want you to see me. I want to write because I don’t want to be me.

I want to write because I want to read. I want to understand Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Gertrude Stein, and Neil Gaiman. I want to write because I want to learn. I want to be a lifelong student, no really.

I want to write because I want to teach. I want to write because I want to think. I want to write because I want to feel.

I want to write because I want to be a part of something bigger. I want to be someone of lasting significance, if only to one person.

I want to write because I have a story. I want to write because I have many stories no one else will have, and all must be told. I want to write because I want to work with words and talking doesn’t work so well.

I want to write because I want an explanation for my quirks. I want to write because I want to have a reason for the pain. I want to write because I want to say, “I told you so.”

I want to write because I hate routine. I want to write because I want to live.

Your Response:

If you’re a writer, why do you write? If you’re a reader, why do you read? If you’re neither, why do you do what you do? Comment below to join the conversation.

15 thoughts on “Why I Do What I Do”

  1. Great thoughts and reasons for writing. I think I write to be known as well and to reflect the truth and beauty I see in the world

  2. I write because I must. The words inside me will make my brain explode if I don’t let them out! I’ve stopped writing for periods of time but always go back to it.

  3. Reading and writing are my main sources of therapy. I have an anxiety disorder, but I’m able to manage it successfully because of the peace and calm that reading and writing brings to me. I love blogging because it’s the perfect outlet (That is, until I publish my four novels, haha).

    1. Yes, reading and writing greatly help with my anxiety as well. A way to channel the emotions into something outside of my life, I guess. And blogging is a great way to more consistently interact with the world since novels take a lil while to get out and about 😉 haha.

  4. If I had to choose one (and only one) all encompassing reason ‘why I write’ – it would have to be because it is SO FRIGGIN FUN. Like just the thought of sitting down and typing up a story makes me excited 🙂 If I wasn’t at work right now I think that’s what I’d be doing!

Leave a Reply