I started writing because I was a reader. I remember trying to copy
down the little kid books I was reading word for word as a child.
That never happened. Maybe I was priming the pump.
Next came the class newspaper that a couple of friends and I put together
in the 5th grade. We were excited about our project although I
remember it being more about art than stories. Not that we did not tell stories
just that the art was well you know the visual draw to it all.
After that came more reading. From that came the idea of keeping a
diary. This too failed like the book copying because I had this idea that I had
to write down EVERYTHING that had happened. This takes forever when you stay up
with it. You can imagine what happens when you get behind?
Finally, along came class assignments that did not completely suck.
Rare although not nonexistent. It was somewhere in these projects a joy and a
voice started to emerge. I loved experimenting with the power of the written
words in its many forms. I wonder why I never wrote a full song.
I have a lyric in my head with music but I never flushed out the
rest of the tune and story.
I have shared things that have come of my writing. I thought that
was reason enough. It is not why I wrote. Those things have been by products.
Writing for me is just another outlet for my perspectives and
feelings that I want to share with the world. I love to talk but people are not
always around.
They may not have the time that it would take for a conversation
when I am ready. Instead they can read what I have written at their leisure and
respond as they see fit.
The written word has the power to empower and inspire I have
learned most recently. I have shared a little of that story here on the blog.
When I started getting involved in online communities connected to things I am
passionate about my voice finally fully emerged. It is a powerful voice.
People respond to what I have to say. I used to laugh to myself and
think I should be a headline writer or a newspaper reporter. I knew even as a young
person that my words had the power to at least provoke attention and reaction.
It is only in raising my voice again towards issues that I am
passionate about via the written word that I see the greater potential to not
just get people’s attention but move them, through writing.
I write because I can. If no one ever responded to my writings, if
I did not feel the surge of energy that happens when I get my point across,
then I might still keep a diary but nothing more.
I don’t write to make myself feel better or clear my head. I don’t
write for myself. I write to share because I have things to say and people are
nosy. They want to hear, listen, react and respond.
I write.
I write because it is powerful and electric.
This post has been a long time in coming. Seth Godin’s query came
through my Twitter feed weeks ago. I went to read his post on why he writes.
When he posed the question back to us his readers it hooked me and would not
let go. I thought I should have an answer at the ready but I kept coming up
with responses that felt half baked.
I Write because…
Is that a complete sentence?
Some how I feel like it is.
The man
who wrote the book You are a Writer has now dared to ask us: Why do we write?
Ugh I read that question and the post he shared to go with it and
it has stuck with me now all this time.
I almost can’t answer.
