Why Do I Write? Let Me Count The Ways

This little piece is inspired by Mikeydred:

So I would love to know why you write and what is your main driver to write.

You can read his piece in full here.

What's My Why?

I love that Mikey has asked this, because two months in to my story every day experiment/personal challenge seems like a timely opportunity to remind myself of my Why.

Holding on to your Why helps you keep going when it's not easy. And I do want to keep going.

Because I Always Have

First, I write because I always have.

As I think on this, two things occur. First, that might be the best, or the worst reason to do something. Possibly both. Second, it's a lie. I stopped writing for years. But I started before I could even form letters, and I'll probably be scratching or tapping out some nonsense scribble on my deathbed.

Because I Feel in My Bones I'd Be a Fool Not To

I write because I look back on those years when I didn't write, and I think, "you fcuking idiot".

Because I'm Alright At It

What are you even doing if you have a talent and you let it rot? I know for a fact there are writers out there far better than I am. But I'm alright at it. So I should do it, and be more alright.

Self Expression

I write because I have a need for self expression, like we all do. The pen is my poison, my weapon of choice. Some people might sing, or paint. But my singing voice makes it rain, and I hardly know one end of a brush from another.

For My Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

You wouldn't put an animal in a cage without opportunity to express normal behaviours. A chinchilla needs her dust bath. A cat needs her scratch post. An elephant needs trees to browse on, and elephant chums.

Me - Hey, You. Yes, You. Write Something!

I write because it's my dust bath, my scratch post. It's my personal enrichment.

Have You Been in My Head?

I do it to poultice out shit that I don't want in my head, to pin it to the page and defang it.

Remember: if you are not speaking it, you are storing it, and that shit gets heavy

- Christina Isabel

The Power of Daily Practise

I write the way some people go to the gym. I do it daily. I do it to keep my brain active and healthy. I do it to build a habit. I do it to get better at it. I do it because it's important to me.

To Keep My Streak Alive

I write because I made a commitment to do it. Every day, without fail, write a story. As of writing this, I am on day/story number 63 (working on it and will submit before midnight!)

To Keep My Spring Flowing

(By this, I mean the wet kind, not the coily kind. Coily kind doesn't flow.)

Maybe last, but definitely not least, I write to keep the water running and plentiful.

Writing begets writing

Me - Hunting Cats: Reflections on "A Story Every Day" So Far (January Edition)

Because it Feels Good

It's not always fun and exciting (sometimes it is). But it's usually satisfying.

To Get Paid

Yeah, that's not why I'm here. Words are so easily published now that making any significant amount is unlikely for most people unless they already have a large following. If money is your main/only motivation, you'll burn out fast.

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Thank you for reading.

Please check out the micro I wrote yesterday:

What I Bought at the Market

Links incoming!