Why Do You Write?
Written by Michele T on September 26, 2007 – 7:46 pm -By
Have you ever asked yourself why you write? Why, as a child, you waded through diary after diary?
I write because:
- It makes me happy
- The inspiration has to go somewhere. Why not words on paper?
- It’s who I am. Michele = Writer. Writer=Michele.
- I can’t NOT write.
- It calms me.
- It fulfills me.
- It validates my life.
- It’s my calling.
- It’s my passion.
- My stories inspire and encourage others.
- I want to help people find hope as the storms of life rage in their lives.
- I LOVE to write.
- It’s healing for me.
- It’s healing for others to read where I’ve come from.
- It’s what I was born to do.
For me, it’s always been a compulsion. When I’m mad, I need to write. If I get upset I need to write. I find even when my nerves are fried to a crisp, I need to write.
After releasing that tension through words, I feel calmer, better somehow. It’s like medicine for me. Whether I’m celebrating making a sale or breaking into a new market, I find inspiration for yet another poem or article.
I can’t imagine a life where I couldn’t write, didn’t have access to paper and pen or heaven forbid, a computer with high speed internet!
Who needs a therapist when you could write? Okay, perhaps writing wouldn’t exactly help in many cases where a professional therapist was needed. But for me, writing keeps me levelheaded. It’s my “calm in the raging storms of life”, especially when I write in the still of the night. It keeps me focused.
Say you’re angry with your spouse or best friend. Write about it. Grab a notebook and plop down in a comfy chair and get it all out. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll be healthier for getting those pent up frustrations out. Holding them in could possibly cause blood pressure problems–or worse. You may even find as you read what you’ve written, that it was silly to get angry in the first place. And now that you’re in a better state of mind, it’s easier to confront that person and apologize, or try to resolve the issue in an adult manner.
Sometimes at night, it’s hard for me to fall asleep. I’m thinking, “I could add such and such to that article I’ve been working on.” Or I think of a jazzy title I can’t allow myself to forget so I’m scrambling around in the dark, stubbing my poor toe, and knocking off the lamp from my dresser.
There are times I just have to go ahead and turn the light on and turn my computer back on and let all those burning words out of my system. It’s like an inferno deep in my soul, fighting to escape!
So, why is it that you write? Ask yourself. You may come up with a few crazy answers of your own and you may even be inspired to write something new as you travel the cyber highway!
Tags: Inspiration, Writing Thoughts
Posted in Inspiration, Writing Thoughts, Writing Wisdom | 8 Comments »
September 26th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I write because I love expressing my thoughts and feelings in words, love collecting and playing with words, arranging them in patterns so they say exactly what I’m trying to say.
Writing helps me calm down, but it also makes me excited (does that make sense?) And, you’re absolutely right, it’s great therapy.
Wonderful post! Thanks for asking a very good question!
[Reply]
September 26th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Hi Becca,
It’s always a joy to find a comment from you!
Thanks for answering the question. Of course, I could have written gazillions of more answers, but I had to stop somewhere, right? ha ha!
I know what you mean. Writing is calming, but the more a writer writes, the more excited he/she can become. “Where will the characters go?” We might ask ourselves, or we might have a flood of inspiration for that next chapter of our book–or even the next book!
Writing is therapy, that’s for sure, and something I’ll always treasure as a gift….
Smiles,
Michele
[Reply]
September 27th, 2007 at 2:20 am
Yes, writing is great therapy! I’m going through some personal things in my life right now with my children and ex-husband, and I’ve found that writing everything down helps calm my nerves and slow my heartbeat down (when he upsets me). It just feels sooooo good to write it down then move on. I won’t begin to explain the situation here, but I can say yes, writing it down is a tremendous release. It won’t cure all, but does help.
As for trying to sleep with ideas running through your head, I experienced this last month. You can read about that experience at http://mistisandefur.blogspot.com/2007/08/brainstorming-and-research.html
[Reply]
September 27th, 2007 at 2:54 am
Hi Misti,
Thanks for stopping by. So sorry to hear about the stress in your life. Yes, writing is a great blessing and stress reliever
Thanks for the link. It didn’t all come through on your comment, so I’ve tried to fit it in below.
http://mistisandefur.blogspot.com
/2007/08/brainstorming-and-
research.html
Hope things are lots better soon!
Smiles,
Michele
Oh, I’m going over to read your article right now!
[Reply]
September 27th, 2007 at 11:17 am
I love your passion and enthusiasm for writing, Michele. This passion and enthusiasm, coupled with your talent, will bring you much success, I’m sure.
I love to write, but have never been as dedicated to it, as you. (Now reading is another matter. Reading beautiful writing is a passion of mine that will never wane.) And these days, as I’m getting older, I find life calling me to come and enjoy, for who knows what tomorrow will bring. And I follow the call, and am quite happy with my life. But I will still write, as the muse appears now and then and whispers in my ear. And when I don’t feel like it, there are always the reprints! The mainstay of the lazier kind of writer, like myself.
Great post, as always.
Renie
[Reply]
September 27th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Hi Renie,
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a kind comment. Your words are appreciated very much
Why, a writer as successful as yourself wouldn’t have to write another word! What a legacy you’ll leave for your family, as well as all the “passionate readers” that are to come! I know there’ll be so many who enjoy your unique Hungarian stories for years and years to come…
I’m glad you’re following that calling, Renie, and I’m thrilled that you enjoy life to the utmost. That’s how it should be!
Have a great day!
Smiles,
Michele
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September 28th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I write for many of the same reasons you do. I’ve always written, even as a kid. When I was 13, I wrote a manuscript for a novel. I wish I still had it.
[Reply]
September 28th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Hello Amy,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m sorry about your novel manuscript. Sometimes we have little or big regrets here and there, but we can’t spend our life wondering “what might have been.” I’ve actually done that and it’s not healthy!!
Perhaps you’ll write an even better novel
Smiles,
Michele
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