Why I Write

I write because I have stories to tell. I write because I have read others peoples stories and been so moved by them or felt such an affinity to them that they’ve changed my life. Other people stories have comforted me. Made me laugh. Made me feel ‘not alone’. They’ve encouraged me and fed my soul. I want to do the same.

I write because so very often I don’t understand an incident until I read it written. I write because it heals me. I write so I won’t forget. I write to solve problems. I write to talk to God. I write to document my life. I write so I will know myself better. I write because it’s creative. I need to create. I write when I can’t use a picture. I write to be known. I write to be accountable and authentic.

I have never studied literature or the English language (much). I don’t have a doctorate, masters or even a BA in anything. I’m not a psychologist. But I am a voracious reader and I know I need to be reading to be writing. It’s where I get my inspiration.

You can probably tell quite quickly when I’ve been inspired from the depths of my soul to write about something and when I am struggling but I’ve committed to writing anyway and will continue to post the mediocre with the inspired as my commitment to writing and to earn the right to call myself a writer. Even the sadly lacking stories are part of the journey. When I can’t be entertaining then I will be authentic. If the vocabulary is elusive then I must write down the real raw feelings.

I find the value in writing is that it can be read over and over again. If you found joy in the story you can find joy in it again. If it healed you then you can be healed again. If you found encouragement then read it every time you are downcast. If you laughed then read it to someone else and make them laugh too. Stories written are treasures. They are gifts. They are a legacy and can outlive their author. Stories written down are enduring. Stories have the power to evoke feelings we didn’t know we had. The light can go on (revelation) when we are reading. A good book is like a good friend. We don’t want it to be over. Its a way of escape. It can even be an escape for the writer. Writing is a way to relive incredible experiences and document memories.

I am a writer because I write. Plain and simple. If you make quilts you are a quilter no matter how your quilts turn out. If you paint you are a painter even if no one has seen your paintings. Even if I just write for myself, I’m still a writer. I enjoy being a writer. I have sometimes referred to myself as an aspiring writer when in actuality I’m not aspiring, I’m already doing it. I am an aspiring book writer. That’s something I haven’t done -yet.