Why We Write

I know you've heard me say a million times how much I love meeting other writers, learning how they write, why they write.

I love how much we're all alike, how much we're all different.

I love learning why each of us writes.

I've always been an avid reader of fiction. My jobs have always involved writing in some way - copywriting, ads, marketing material, proposals. Definitely not fiction.

Unlike some of you, I never wrote poetry at the age of three or wrote a book at eight or worked on the high school newspaper. I had other things to do. Like dance. And piano. And softball.

A few years ago, I learned quite by accident that not everyone carries around bits of stories and characters and settings in their heads. I always thought everyone did.

About the same time I learned this, an opportunity came along that allowed me to try my hand at fiction. The urge to write had been building for a little while, and I jumped at it.

Short stories poured out, some fully formed. I got tapped for some non-fiction. I learned I loved flash fiction. And I also learned my biggest love for both reading and writing is still the novel.

The more I write, the more bits and pieces fill up my head. They'll always be there. I'll continue to explore them. And while some of my short work is around here and there, maybe one day I'll write a novel worth publishing.

I hope that day is soon. And I hope you'll read it.

Why do you write?

Comments

Joanne said…
Writing is my way of life, it's as simple as that :)
Terry Odell said…
I was definitely a card-carrying AARP member before I started even thinking about writing. I did it, found out I enjoyed it, and now I can't imagine NOT doing it. Go for it!

Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
Lydia Kang said…
I would be thrilled to read your novel someday. :)

I have that same affliction. Bits and pieces are always filling up my head.
VR Barkowski said…
I, too, have always had stories in my head. Maybe because I've always been such a voracious reader? Even my journals are written like fiction rather than a chronicle. Adding conflict to a trip to the grocery store can be every bit as challenging as a plot twist.

I look forward to reading your novel!
To see the adventures I've not read anywhere else.
And I never did poetry either.
Carol Kilgore said…
Joanne - It is for me now, too.

Terry - Yeah!

Lydia - Cool. If I'd known earlier I was supposed to write the stories down, maybe I would have done it :)

VR - Maybe the bits and pieces are aided by reading, but I'm sure mine were there before I could read. I don't journal. I keep trying every once in a while, but it doesn't happen.

Alex - Yes! Another non-poet :)
Anonymous said…
I can't wait to read your novels!!!

It's true, the bits and pieces needs a way out, don't they? ;)
Southpaw said…
I love the bit about carrying around characters and stories in your head. I always have too. I’ve also created scenarios when I see a broken bottle on the street or a couple talking intensely in the corner of a café.
G. J. Jolly said…
I write because I find it so much more enjoyable and easier that talking. Usually I'm misunderstood when I speak. I also have a tendency to feel overwhelmed when in a talking conversation. Writing solves these problems for me.
Hannah said…
I could fill up a whole blog post about why I write but to sum up, I can't NOT write. Double negative baby!
LR said…
I'd love to read your novel. :)

Why I write? Because it's a source of happiness and entertainment that doesn't cost anything (or not much), that doesn't depend on anything (or not much), and that I can take anywhere (even under a tiki hut).
Elspeth Futcher said…
I didn't write poetry at age 3 either. I wrote so I could be in plays; I forced my class from grade 4 to grade 8 to do a play once a year. I began writing murder mysteries as fundraisers for theatre companies I worked for. I didn't consider it writing, I thought of it as step one to acting. Writing murder mysteries for an internet publisher followed. Then someone said one of my plots was a book waiting to happen. Everything changed.
Carol Kilgore said…
lbdiamond - Yes, they do.

Holly - I do that, too. All the time.

Glynis - It's good you found a way to communicate.

Hannah - It has come to that for me, too. I like it :)

LR - Bring it to the Tiki Hut! Yea!!

Elspeth - Wow! That's quite a resume.
I write because it’s fun and it keeps me entertained. Writing started as a hobby for me and now it’s blossomed into much more.
Anonymous said…
I write, therefore, I am. I have to get these ideas on paper or else I feel like a failure. Not sure why. Writing is a release and my gift to the world.
Carol Kilgore said…
Jane - Mine has never been a hobby. I enjoy it, but I treat it as a job. It's the hardest, 'funnest' job I've ever had.

Stephen - Thanks for your gift :)
Hart Johnson said…
The ideas that nag, eh... I was an early angsty poetry writer, but that was more an extension of my journaling than anything else. I always had ideas here and there, though, that would nag and nag... but I'd write a little and didn't have a clue how to get farther. It was fan fiction that taught me how to actually finish a story (by having a PLAN *BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA*)... I can't do shorts... I mean I sort of can, but not the kind that would ever be publishable... I am much more a several plots and lots of character development gal.
I write so my head won't explode. It's so much fun. Plus, where would life be without the pain in my shoulder, the glazed look in my eyes (because I'm in my head instead of the real world) and saggy, chair butt.
Aside from that, like I said, it's fun. =D
Carol Kilgore said…
Hart - Shorts kind of get rid of all the extraneous overload - or they did for me at the beginning. But they are a TON of work. At least for me. I do love flash, though.

RaShelle - Ah yes...the shoulder and neck pain. And the chair butt. I can put checks by both of those. And the glazed eyes, too.
Unknown said…
I write for money, fame, I want to be a famous actor one day on a show like Castle, I want to walk the red carpet and win an academy award for best screenplay. I think I need to re-examine my priorities.
Carol Kilgore said…
Clarissa - I'm applauding. You win the Gold Star Award for most creative story!
What an inspiring story. You're more poetic than you think.

Life as a writer is just more interesting. We see things differently than others, hears things that others don't. Not voices, but we listen to grammar and sentence structures. Writing is just part of who we are.

Aren't we lucky!
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks, Kathi. Now...about those voices :)
Arlee Bird said…
Why? Well, why not? I've got things to say and I like to experiment with saying things. I guess it's just a habit I've gotten into and can't break myself of.
I look forward to your novel.

Lee
Tossing It Out
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks, Arlee. And thanks to everyone who said nice things about my novel. My current WiP shows a little promise - so maybe this will be the one.
J.L. Campbell said…
Hi, Carol,

I write because every so often I'm inspired and have a story that I must tell and I like sharing my writing with others. It's also an enjoyable habit that would be hard to break now.
Janet, said…
Carol, I will read it! I want to put the stories in my head onto paper. I want to see my stories in book form and in the hands of eager children. I have found that I love to see my thoughts come to life.
Carol Kilgore said…
Good for you. Work hard, learn, and never give up.
Carol Kilgore said…
J.L. - I almost missed your comment entirely. Sorry about that. I know that 'must tell' feeling. It's that spark of passion that starts us along the road.
Patti Lacy said…
Carol, I feel called to do so.
It can be sooooo hard, tho'.
Thanks for asking:)
Patti
Carol Kilgore said…
J.L. - Cool :)

Patti - Writing can be hard. All parts of it. But it's also sooooo fun!
Anonymous said…
I guess I write simply because I liked to write. Always have, as far back as first grade. It's like you say--there are stories in my head, based on people I know and the experiences I've had, and books/stories I've read, movies I've seen.

And like you, I'd like to one day have a novel published (well, I guess that's about to happen with my memoir!); I suspect, with your desire and your obvious writing ability, this will some day happen for you!! I sincerely hope so!!!
Carol Kilgore said…
I know how excited you must be about your memoir. You worked really hard on it.

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