Why Write?

So, we’ll be tackling an interesting topic today – a question I’ve recently been asking myself as I try to discern what’s important in my life. 

Why write?  I’m not even sure that anyone is reading this.  Why am I doing this – putting myself on the web and sharing things close to my heart?  Believe me, when I have an answer, y’all will be the first to know.  Meanwhile, you’ll have to content yourself with my philosophical, rambling explanation, which may or may not include random bits of wisdom (but no promises.)  Here goes.  *deep breath* *produces soapbox from thin air*

·         I believe that creativity is imitation.  “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” and we imitate our Creator when we create our own limited worlds.  As we are created, we long to create – to honor our Creator or to fill a need deep inside our hearts.  The best imitation, however, comes from a desire to point others to the ultimate Author through our simple words.  When I write for a purpose, I write with purpose. 

·         I believe that we are called to write.  God has plans for you, and if He gifted you with this ability, then you may just be supposed to use it.  I know, it’s shocking. :D  But, if you’re writing for His glory, imagine what you could do.  Remember David?  What about the disciples?  Or Paul?  How about the prophets throughout the ages?  They listened to God’s plan, and “the world will never be the same.”  (I can hear the Hamilfans gushing from here.)  If God’s plan is for you to write, there’s a reason for those words flooding your head and itching at your fingertips. 

·         I believe that writing fills needs we don’t even know we have.  Many times, I’ve looked at a character and realized that a vulnerable part of me has somehow leaked into them.  As Twenty One Pilots say in “Polarize”

Polarize is taking your disguises

Separating em, splitting em up from wrong and right

It's deciding where to die and deciding where to fight

Writing is a polarizing exercise.  We take off the masks we use in everyday life and hide them underneath our desks while we bleed our hearts’ ink onto the silent pages.  Which mask could you leave behind?  I know that some of my masks that come off while writing need to stay off – and it is hard.  On to the next lyrics I want to touch on: “deciding where to fight.”  What about fighting as counter-cultural rebels against the influx of sin in YA literature?  What about fighting against the heroes that aren’t heroes, but villains according to our standards?  I know I’m not the only one blindsided by sneaky books.  How about fighting against ourselves?  It sounds like a trite saying, but you are your own worst enemy.  You can never get out of your own head.  However, that paper or screen in front of you might help to get some of those thoughts out and semi-organized.  Try it.  I did, and I’ve never looked back.  (On second thought, don’t take my word for it. XD )

·         I believe that writing is worth it.  Why do we write?  I don’t know, but there are sure a lot of people who continue without having a reason.  Look at the loss we would suffer if Tolkien, Lewis, and others had never picked up pen and paper.  Beyond the payment, beyond the dreams of fame and fortune, there is a need that we sometimes ignore.  We write, and we keep writing.  Isn’t that significant?  Perseverance isn’t blindly hitting your head against something because you think you should.  No, we write because we can’t not write.  I’m writing this right now because it presses on my heart, too.  Everyone’s reasons will be different at the heart, but I believe that some of these reasons are at the heart of most writers’ efforts.

·         We write because we were written by the greatest Author.

·         We write because we are called to it.

·         We write because we learn by doing so.

·         We write because we must.

·         We write because we know it means something.

·         We write.  (Surprise!)

You want to join me in discovering the reasons behind our scribblings?  I’d welcome your company as I search.  Any good ideas can be deposited in the comment section below.  I’ll leave you with a few questions:

Why do you write?

Have you considered this topic before?

What do you believe secular writers would see as the reasons behind their writing?

Did you enjoy this post, and would you like to see more like it?