Sunday, April 17, 2011

Why I Write

I usually try to stay away from personal, touchy-feely posts as they usually aren't informative or really all that helpful--other than for providing a quick therapy session for their writer.  This post isn't going to be a warm and fuzzy kind of post, but it will deviate from the norm of my blog.  In reviewing previous posts, it's become pretty obvious to me that my readers aren't going to know squat about me by just the posts alone--not that the person behind the blog is all that exciting. 

Anywho, I decided to open up in this blog and post the reasons why I write and what keeps me on task through all the frustrations this career choice brings with it:

1.  If I didn't, I'd be suppressing my identity: Writing is in my blood, it's a part of my very soul.  Every day, I have to be someone else; whether it's a paralegal, mother, Army wife, or just a friend.  In those roles, I'm a suppressed version of myself.  Through writing, I've discovered who I really am and what I really want.  Writing allows me to truly live my life to its fullest.

2.  It keeps me sane: In the monotony of the daily world with all the tasks appointed to a person and the stressors associated with them, it's easy to feel as though you're drowning in turmoil.  Writing provides me with the boat and oar to paddle across the seas of life.

3.  Someday, I hope to make a career out of it: As much as I'm grateful to have the job that I do have, it's not what I want to do for rest of my life.  Writing is not something I expect nor necessarily want to get rich doing (although that would  be insanely cool).  If I could just make a comfortable living doing it and I could pay my bills, I would be incredibly fulfilled.

4.  Lets face it, it would be fippin' cool to write a movie:  I don't care what an author says, in their minds they are secretly hoping that Hollywood will pick up their novels and give the characters they created in their minds a face to a worldwide audience.

5.  A sense of accomplishment:  In my 29 years on this planet, I feel as though I've accomplished a lot (a great marriage, beautiful daughter and a sucessful career as a paralegal).  I truly have a ton to be thankful for, but despite all that, I feel like there is something missing.  Writing novels makes me feel as though I've actually accomplished something, like I've earned my place in this world.

1 comment:

Benjamin Hartin said...

I appreciate your candor, thanks for that. I needed a little bit of help getting focused tonight and you helped a lot by this post. I started thinking of all the reasons I write... some similar to yours, some not... but it really hit home and I wanted to thank you for your part in that :) Feel free to check out my humble blog about my new book I am writing about Nelson Hanlin (with one entry so far). It is for the book I am striving to write for national novel writing month. Anyhow, have a geat day!