Why Writers Write

I usually write my upcoming posts on a quiet Sunday afternoon.  It's a chance to relax, catch my breath, and give full attention to what I might want to share with my readers.  But today began a little bit differently for me than most Sundays.  I haven't been sleeping too well lately...too much to do and too little time so my poor brain thinks it's on overdrive even when I try to sleep.  This morning my brain woke up at 6 a.m. but my body begged to stay in bed until 11 which actually gave me time to think about what I would write for this post.

The world is filled with people trying to become authors...myself included...but it was when I came across this phrase...WHY WRITERS WRITE...that I stopped to analyze why indeed some of  us are almost driven to lay words down for the whole world to see.  I think I might have figured out part of the answer...

PASSIONATE

Writers are passionate about their writing.  If I doubted it before, it became very clear to me once I began receiving packages from authors around the world wanting to share their books with me for my booth at the Children's Festival of Reading next month.  I won't lie.  I snuck a peek inside each book and could feel the pride those authors must have in their work.  The devotion they gave to perfecting their stories resonates in the stories themselves.  I can feel their passion in sharing their stories.

IMAGINATION

Writers have wonderful imaginations.  They create entire worlds in their minds as well as all the lovely characters who inhabit those magical lands. What better way to share those stories with others than through their writing?  Books are the ticket to adventure and words are the vessels taking the reader on a voyage to the unknown.

INSPIRATION

Writers hope to inspire others through their writing.  Some write to challenge others to take action against societal wrongs.  Some write to help us never forget the challenges of our past so we might have a better future.  Others seek to lift the spirits of those who have almost lost all hope.  And still others feel they have something to teach readers and their words are the instruments to share the lesson.  Whatever the reason, writers hope to inspire the world to give their words a chance and share their love of the written word.

For myself, I hope my words inspire others to think a little more kindly of themselves.  To help them take a moment to laugh or cry or be filled with the possibilities of a new day.  I write so one day a child may hug a book with my name listed on it as author and they smile because they were taken on an adventure.  Or maybe I will see the day when a future author will be inspired to become a writer themselves after reading  a few words put down on paper by a another writer...

Why do YOU write?