Thursday, May 21, 2009

Why I write


If I asked you, why do you write? How would you reply?

Maybe you'd say something like one of the following:

"I've been writing since I was a child..."

"It's a form of escapism for me."

"It's my passion."

"It makes me feel complete."

"I get a kick out of creating something from a blank page."

Maybe you agree with all of the above, or maybe you have something completely different to say about the subject.

All I can do, as I can't second guess, is tell you why I write. Yes, like one of the above comments, I have written since I was a child. I wrote stories in school and sometimes the class teacher read them out. I made my own magazines. I sat all my dolls and teddies in a semi circle and became the teacher who gave them homework. Of course, I had to give them a hand, so there was even more writing to do.

I kept diaries until I was in my twenties.

I did all of that and then for many years I put my writing aside as life took over.

I then began writing short pieces when I had my first child and again when I had depression during and after the birth of my second child. During the dark days, when it was an effort to make a cup of tea, wash dishes, and do general household tasks, as well as look after two young children, I could still pick up a pen and write.

I wrote poems about the mood I was in. I wrote essays about how I was feeling. I'm sure this helped me through the depression and I was fortunate to come off my antidepressants within four months. What was happening without me realising it, was that I was writing for therapy.

As many of you know, I am a huge advocate of this and I've had experience of running an online group and two groups which are currently still meeting at the cancer centre where I work as a counsellor.

I've had some publishing success over the years, but it wasn't handed to me on a plate. I've had my fair share of rejections, but I don't give up when I have one, in a strange sort of way it spurs me on.

The real reason I write though is because I have to. To me, writing is as essential as breathing and if I gave it up, I would die, metaphorically speaking of course. I write for therapy. I write for enjoyment. Sometimes I write for payment. Most of all, I write because I am passionate about it.

So, why do you write?

I'd love to know.

6 comments:

Teresa Ashby said...

I write for all the reasons you've listed. And writing poetry helped me get through depression too. When I was a child I used to draw extra characters in my comics and add extra speech bubbles. It's almost an obsession - I can't help myself!!

Lynette said...

Your comment about the comics made me smile, Teresa. I used to do a similar thing by making my own comics. I'd love it if they brought out an adult romance comic like that. My favourite one was 'Bunty'. I loved stories like 'The Four Marys' and some of the serials they created.

Teresa Ashby said...

I loved Bunty! And the four Marys. Can you remember their surnames? I can only remember Cotter (Cotty?) oh and maybe Fieldy? Was that one or am I off in la la land again?

Lynette said...

Yes, I'm sure there was a Mary Field and a Mary Radleigh? Can't remember the fourth one though.

I used to love Mondays. I'd rush home from school to my grandmother's house for tea, and there waiting on the sideboard, would be a copy of the Bunty for me, a Beano for my brother and a bar of chocolate each.

Great days.

Ella said...

I have had much pleasure over the years putting my inner thoughts on paper. I remember winning first prize in primary school for a poetry competition, and being the proud owner of my prize,a collection of poetry books. Since the OU course started, my initial thoughts were for writing prose, but have since found strength in poetry. I got a bit involved in 'Gone' for the last tma, but basically I am amazed at how a story can be told in just a few lines. I am sending off some of my poetry to see if it's worthy of being published..watch this space!
lynn

Lynette said...

Hey well done, Lynn. Sounds as though you have a natural talent for poetry. Good luck with your submission. XXX