Blog About It

But Why?

Why do we do this? 

Let me be more clear... why do we write? 

Of the estimated 45-million people who use Wattpad, roughly 2-million are writers. My question is for the two-million. Why do you do it?

Why do you write?

I'll tell you why I write.

I write because it makes me happy. I write because I want to have a voice. I write because I can.

"Real life" for me is 10-12 hours of clinical and hospital drama, followed by housework, paying bills, and doing laundry. I have a wonderful life, a wonderful family, a wonderful home, and a wonderful husband. I wouldn't trade any of those things for the world. But I'm still me. And sometimes I need to escape and just be.

I learned at a very young age, writing granted me the opportunity to create a world of my choosing. I would sit down with my notebook and exist in a place that was tainted only by me and the drama I created for it. There were no politics, no patients who saw aliens or dead people, no hospital alarms, no beeping pagers, no negativity. 

The very first story I recall writing was about playing hockey for The Mighty Ducks (the 1992 film version). In my version of the story (I now know this to be called "fan-fiction") I was was a better hockey player than any of them, I taught them how to do things, I proved girls were just as good as boys, and of course... I fell in love with the star player. 

And I was five. 

(As a side note, I feel I should mention I had never been to a skating rink, much less taught an all-state hockey player how to execute a perfect "triple deke". If you've never seen this movie you totally should.) 

Even now, much older than five, I know that if I want to, I can create a world occupied by nothing but rainbows and butterflies. I can create a world where everyone wears hats. I can create a world where I'm always the hero. Hell, I can create a world where I am the reigning and supreme queen. Not that I don't fully believe this should be true in the real world as well ;-)

Anyone who knows me, or has read my stories, knows I am a writer of mindset, hard work, self-appreciation, independence, and love.  I became very discouraged after reading several "Young Adult" novels with a victimized protagonist. You've read them too. Any of these ring a bell? 

- A young pretty girl in an emotionally abusive relationship sticks it out because, naturally, her love interest will eventually "change".  

- What about the one where a girl, doing well in college, decides to drop out because her rich boyfriend loved her SO MUCH he was going to pay for her to travel the world with him?

- Did you read the one about the very rich, spoiled, and snotty girl who never worked for anything in her life? 

I. HATE. THESE. STORIES.

(Disclaimer: If you've written one of these stories I apologize, but come on... where's the lesson? Get your shit together!) 

You are not a damsel in distress, you do not need a hero, you are not lazy. If you have worked your ass off to get to where you are, be it a dumpster or a mansion in paradise... GOOD FOR YOU! You are going to do amazing things with your life.

Being spoiled, having money, and having things is nice. If that is your lot in life, consider yourself lucky. But please don't take advantage of it and let the real world pass you by. WORK and WORK HARD! 

I'm not saying go get a job. You don't have to have a job. You can genuinely work hard at just about anything. If you decide you want to be a couch potato, then work hard to become the best damn couch potato you can be. (Ok, so I don't condone being a couch potato, but you catch my drift.) 

Be a painter, an artist, a musician, A WRITER...

You can be anything. You can WORK at anything. ... Just do it.

When I sat down and decided to write, Right As Rain (title pending), it was because I wanted to read a story about a strong independent woman, who worked hard, fell in love, and remained true to herself. Maelee has flaws, just like we all have flaws, but she learns from them. And that's what it's all about. 

That's my voice. That's my platform. 

Be independent, work hard, fall in love, and be yourself. 

(Beware: I will yell this at you from every rooftop possible)  

Lastly, I write because I can. 

Did you know 90% of people say they have a story to tell? NINETY PERCENT! But very few of them ever write it. In fact, only 3% of writers who even start their story, actually finish it. 

Yes, you read that right. THREE PERCENT. (Kudos to my champions who have multiple listed on Wattpad right now!)

I'm not a person who believes every single person should write a book. But I do believe every person should write. (Bonus points if it's with a pen and paper).Writing has been linked to studies showing improved mood, well-being, and depressive symptoms, as well as lower blood pressure, and improved lung and liver functioning. 

Writing has a similar effect on the mind as meditation. Breathing slows down, you get into a zone, and words flow freely. I'll talk about writer's block more in the future, but the short of it is this... just write. I don't care if you are writing about the way your bus driver eats a sandwich, just write. It's good for you.

So... here it is. A long tangent on why I write. 

Now it's your turn.

Why do you write?