Why I Write!
Have you ever gotten THAT blank look from someone when you told them you were a freelance writer? I’m sure you have as I get them all the time. I think this is partially due to people not being able to relate to what EXACTLY we are doing in our chosen career.
I understand. I guess if I wasn’t writing, I’d probably glaze over myself, thinking what the… if someone told me they were a freelance writer themselves.
But here I am and I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about why I write.
The creative process
To me, writing is all about creativity. To allow my thoughts to pour onto paper (or digital dust in my case). I write because I have a very imaginative mind. As a kid I even had an imaginary friend at some stage.
My friend and I experienced the wildest adventures (similar to those of the Famous Five by Enid Blyton). But once I grew older I had to make do with holding conversations in my head instead. I still do that to this day.
Interestingly enough I’m not really a chatterbox either. I just like to work those thoughts and they happen to be quite colorful with lots of pictures. Perhaps I should result to drawing them instead, LOL, but I leave that to our friend Friar instead.
Shaping words into something near tangible
To shape words for me is like shaping a piece of wood or creating an intricate meal from scratch. There is a certain art to doing this and I will keep working at improving my ability to create art.
Luckily for me writing is creative enough to allow for many variations. Either way will get me to where I want to go, just in a different way.
Being able to write so that our readers can actually picture the story is an amazing and very powerful way to help inspire people everyday. After all, you probably read books for the same reasons. Forming those words, chopping a bit here; tweaking a little there is what ultimately makes for interesting and gripping reading.
This is what I ultimately hope to achieve; to captivate my readers with my words in whichever way possible.
Making the connection
Another aspect of why I write is to make connections. Connecting words to form a story that makes sense is not always easy, and depends entirely on the topic and how we relate to it.
If we are guided by anger, frustration, or other blockages we tend to struggle to put down our thoughts to paper. I’ve written about the “zone” before and still do my best work when I am in that zone. I’m also at my happiest then.
Other connections are those I make with the likes of you. Knowing that I made a new acquaintance or friend through my words is not only satisfying, but also very inspiring. It is also partially due to this inspiration that I keep going.
Why do you write?
So tell me, why do you write?
Is it the fun, the creation, the achievement or more? I look forward to get some answers to this question from you. Thank you.
Monika
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Vered - MomGrind | Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
I enjoy the creative process. I always enjoyed writing. With my personal blog, I also enjoy the creative process of creating a certain look and feel to the website.
Brett Legree | Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
I write because I like to tell stories, and yet it is more.
We can tell stories with our voices, and that is good. Once the story has been told, unless someone who listened then tells the story to someone else, it sort of ceases to be except in the minds of those who were there.
But the written word – now that is a sign of commitment!
If you take the time to write something down, on paper with pen, or on a blog or whatever – that shows that you *mean it*.
You believe in it. So that’s why I write, because I believe in what I have to say. I don’t want it to simply vanish into thin air.
Davina | Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika. I write for a number of reasons. I love to create pictures with words. I like to create a mood. Since I’ve begun blogging and writing more often, I’ve come to appreciate those times when my mind lets go of trying to make it happen. That’s when the flow happens. It’s a good practice for learning to get out of my own way.
Writer Dad | Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
I write because I like to spill my thoughts on the page like syrup on pancakes.
Brad | Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
The beginning of writing is tough for me because doubts creep in about whether the product will be good enough (for me). But I love it once I start typing. Yesterday, under pressure, I needed two articles dealing with the environment from two angles. Fantastic how the mind works under pressure with no preconceived notions! I just had a sentence in mind, started typing and then I was in my own zone. The pleasure was as great to me as eating candy corn!
Medic | Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
I’ve mostly been writing for my niche sites. This year though I plan on adding to my list writing about things that are important to me. Hopefully they bring some income, but if not, I’m okay with it. I will be writing about my passions and I can do that for ages.
I’d just like to support myself while I’m writing about what is important to me.
Jenny | Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
Brett I couldn’t agree with you more, writing it does have that reality to it, even though what you wrote may not be real!
Monika, this post speaks volumes to me, I’ve recently been at a loss to write, and I think it’s because I’m just not happy and my head won’t cooperate with my heart. I am working on fixing this because I do love writing something that can pique a persons interest!
Great post!
Monika | Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
@ Vered: I understand what you mean. It is a great feeling to “create” something unique and have people react to it in any way. I also think it helps each of us to make a difference (no matter how small or big) in another person’s life. Thanks for sharing.
@ Brett: I love the point you made about story telling. Funny, I never thought about it like that but you are dead right. Writing is also leaving a legacy for the people who come after us.
On another level, do you think sometimes writing can also be like self-therapy?
@ Davina: I agree with you as I do the same. Since I stopped working too hard I find a lot more inspiration too, especially in those moments when I do nothing else but daydream, drink a cuppa or read a book.
@ WD: Oh now you’ve done it and made me lust after pancakes! Naughty man. You should know that I gave up sweets (with small exceptions) late last year. Dang
However, that is exactly how great writing works. To have readers react on the words; well done!
@ Brad: That is how I start most of my writing. Not with pressure (although at times I do), but with the one sentence. The process of crafting something that makes sense from nothing is amazing indeed. Good on you for persisting with it under duress.
@ Medic: It makes sense too, to support yourself with something you are obviously passionate about. How are your niches going for you anyway? I know you have been building them for some time now. Happy?
@ Jenny: I totally understand where you are coming from. Not so long ago I was in a similar position and my writing became stuck. I had to find myself again before I was able to indulge again.
You will too, just take your time and get to the bottom of that “unhappy” feeling. It is totally worth it.
Thanks guys for your awesome feedback. I loved every single one.
Monika
Brett Legree | Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Oh, most definitely – I know for me, my writing is quite often self-therapy. Most of the time if I write something motivational or butt-kicking, it starts out as me telling “me” to get going.
Monika | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: Yep, I thought so. I do it myself and it seems to work. Thank you for clarifying this.
Brett Legree | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
It is amazing how well it does work. A lot of the best stuff goes in a Moleskine I carry with me. I read it when I need a boost. Or I write in it when I need to get something out of my head.
Therese | Jan 30, 2009 | Reply
I write because I spent the last 9 years in a career that left me drained and burnt out (I was a fundraiser in non-profit). My degree was in journalism and writing has always been my first love and greatest passion. I quit my job over a year ago to pursue freelance writing/copywriting. I write because writing is in my soul. I am an artist and need to be creative. A lot of people (non-writers) don’t understand what I do or why I need to write. They think I have a fake job and a lot of people in my life don’t support me but that hasn’t stopped me from pursuing what I love. It’s a tough grind and crazy at times, but I can’t see myself doing anything else. Writing to me is like breathing–I have to to do it in order to thrive. It’s in my blood and it’s my greatest passion.
Friar | Jan 31, 2009 | Reply
Two reasons.
First, how can I NOT write? If I don’t, then all this creative energy in me have no outlet. And I’ll EXPLODE and there will be Friar bits scattered all over town…NOT a pretty sight.
Second, one of the biggest natural highs I can get is to make people laugh. That’s just my nature.
So if I write something funny, and people comment back and tell me theyre’ ROFL’ing and LOL’ing, that just makes my whole day! I feel I’ve accomplished useful.