Most of us in the guild have written a countless number of pages over the years that include novels, short stories, and poetry. Most of us admit to being addicted to reading everything we can get our hands on and still complain that there isn’t enough time in the day to read everything we want to. Among those books we’ve combed through a thousand times are books that help us in our craft, books that inspire us to creativity, and books that touch our souls.
A writer’s life is more like a journey than most people could possibly understand. We’re wired differently. If you’ve spent an afternoon among a group of writers, you might. At fairs, conventions, and book signings, we’re always asked, “What do you write?” That question sets our minds and souls in motion, no matter how awkwardly (or perfectly) we may answer it.
Author Simon Sinek (Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action) said, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”
Writer’s need to ask themselves this question and give some time to seriously reflect on it beyond the usual answers like “I have to.” It’s a passion and a need. That much is true. However, it’s important to have a deeper understanding as to why we write because we all have those days when you are frustrated and don’t feel like a writer. There will be days when you doubt yourself or have writers block or simply just don’t feel like writing. There will be days when you write and absolutely hate what you just put down on paper. There will be days when you not only doubt yourself but the people closest to you will doubt you, too.
I have to. It’s like breathing. To a writer that is completely understandable. But the reasons behind that are sometimes not so obvious at times. Some of us write for ourselves. It is a way to deal with stress or deal with past hardships and trying to come to grips with events in our lives. Some write to share our wisdom or experiences with others to help them through similar situations.
In 1946, George Orwell wrote a famous essay called "Why I Write" to describe his journey to becoming a writer. He had four specific reasons for writing, one of which was to “push the world in a certain direction.”
As you continue on with your journey as a writer, it’s a good idea to visit that question for yourself from time to time. Write a short essay on the reasons why you write (writing prompt homework to share with the guild!!!). I think we could surprise ourselves with some of the reasons why.
A writer’s life is more like a journey than most people could possibly understand. We’re wired differently. If you’ve spent an afternoon among a group of writers, you might. At fairs, conventions, and book signings, we’re always asked, “What do you write?” That question sets our minds and souls in motion, no matter how awkwardly (or perfectly) we may answer it.
Author Simon Sinek (Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action) said, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”
Writer’s need to ask themselves this question and give some time to seriously reflect on it beyond the usual answers like “I have to.” It’s a passion and a need. That much is true. However, it’s important to have a deeper understanding as to why we write because we all have those days when you are frustrated and don’t feel like a writer. There will be days when you doubt yourself or have writers block or simply just don’t feel like writing. There will be days when you write and absolutely hate what you just put down on paper. There will be days when you not only doubt yourself but the people closest to you will doubt you, too.
I have to. It’s like breathing. To a writer that is completely understandable. But the reasons behind that are sometimes not so obvious at times. Some of us write for ourselves. It is a way to deal with stress or deal with past hardships and trying to come to grips with events in our lives. Some write to share our wisdom or experiences with others to help them through similar situations.
In 1946, George Orwell wrote a famous essay called "Why I Write" to describe his journey to becoming a writer. He had four specific reasons for writing, one of which was to “push the world in a certain direction.”
As you continue on with your journey as a writer, it’s a good idea to visit that question for yourself from time to time. Write a short essay on the reasons why you write (writing prompt homework to share with the guild!!!). I think we could surprise ourselves with some of the reasons why.
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