The simple answer is that I write because I have to. I have too many thoughts in my head, so I have to frequently siphon them off by writing. If I didn’t, my head would fill to the bursting point, and probably explode.
I write because I have this compulsion to remember everything. My memory has lots of holes, so if I don’t write something down, I forget it.
I write because there are so many stories inside of me: characters and worlds and great adventures I want to explore.
I write for my own entertainment. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a very specific story, and sometimes it’s hard to find exactly what I need, so I just write it myself. Which has the added bonus of being able to make the story go any way I want it to go.
I write because nothing ever happens to me, so I like to imagine what life would be like if things did happen. How would I react? How would other people react? What happens after that? I think too much, ask too many questions, and writing helps me figure out the answers, or at least potential solutions.
I write because I like the sound of my own voice (both in my head and out loud).
I write because I love words. I love them so much I want to use them more than I do in daily conversation and email correspondence. I like to find uses for the less-known words, and craft sentences that not only convey the message but have a unique and distinct flavor.
I write because it keeps my hands busy. Otherwise I fidget and drywash and pull things apart without even noticing it.
I write because I want something of me to be left behind when I’m gone. I’m not a great thinker or a leader or even that driven, so as much as I’d love to be able to save the world, I know I’ll never leave my mark on it that way. If I can at least entertain a few people in the world, even after I’m gone, I’ll be content to let go of this life.
I write because that’s who I am: a writer.
Leave a Reply