WHY I WRITE

I have been blogging off and on now for about six years, but I’ve been writing and journaling most of my life.    My first memory of keeping a “journal”, of sorts, was a time in 3^rd grade when my dad was in the hospital having back surgery and I was staying with relatives.  Unfortunately, over the years, my search for what I had written was never found; I must have inadvertently discarded it.  When I was in high school, each day we would have a journal topic in my English class on which we would have to write.  While I was in college, I kept a journal of my journey to self-acceptance, changes and, eventually, my coming out.   Through the years, I have kept prayer journals (I prefer to write letters to God rather that audibly pray) and when blogging became a popular medium, I began blogging as a way of getting thoughts outside of my head, and sharing them with friends. 

I write for several reasons.   Mostly, I write because it is a cathartic activity; it allows me to calm a restless mind.   Writing also gives me the opportunity to keep a tangible record of my thoughts, emotions and viewpoints that I can later go back and reference.   Sometimes, my writing inspires others, and sometimes it inspires me. 

Words are fascinating to me.   While I freely admit that I have never really been a fan of reading, I do enjoy writing.   As an adult, when I do read, I enjoy reading essays or stories that are true (or perhaps amusingly embellished).   I can identify with the writing styles of David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs.   I write because I am, by nature, an introspective person. 

Here’s my confession:  I am fully aware that my writings are not for everyone.  I’m aware that there are people who could care less about what I have to say—and that is totally ok. Sure, I like knowing that what I’m going through or have gone through and how I write about it may touch someone in a way that will encourage them, give them insight into who I am or even give me advice on something I’m going through, but that’s not why I write. I write because it is a vehicle for me to express myself, it is a healthy way for me to keep in touch with myself, and it is something I believe I do well.   Maybe one day I will publish my stories, maybe not.  I don’t ever expect that I will win great accolades for my writing, but anything is possible.   The promise I can make to myself is that as long as I have the ability, I will continue to pursue the passion I have for writing.