Why I Write

I’ve been tagged in a ‘Blog Hop’.

Title: Why I Write

KD Forsman, a fellow ‘tweep’, kindly invited me to participate. She is also a reviewer, reader, writer, pro-blogger, and aptly named book cheerleader. She offers marketing and book promotion, as well as a FREE book tweet service. KD is currently working on a yet-to-be-named novel, which she describes as: a contemporary drama/romance centered on a fraud case, with a twist of Munchhausen’s.

Check out KD Forsman here.

Okay, so how does a Blog Hop work?

*         Well, it’s like a game of tag, but on Twitter.

*         Once you’re tagged, you need to write a post on your blog about why you write. (Feel free to use the same kind of format as I have in this post.)

*          Make sure you link back to the person who tagged you.

*          Nominate and tag three (or more) people via Twitter to be next in the ‘hop’. (Make sure you contact them so they know.)

 

So, on with the blog…

Why do I write?

Reason One: I write to make a living. In other words, for money.

I know, I know, that’s not the way it works. We’re supposed to write because our souls yearn to be released or expressed or whatever. Because if we don’t, the darkness will trap us in ourselves and consume us. Something like that anyway.

That does sound cool, I’ll admit. Romantic even. In fact, I’d very much like for my soul to be released and expressed—right after I pay the rent, buy the groceries, and fix the brakes on my pushbike. And by pushbike, I mean car. I just said that to sound more bohemian.

But seriously, I did say Reason One, meaning there are more. Which brings me to reason number two…

Reason Number Two: I write because I can.

In other words, I don’t suck at it.

I’m no William Shakespeare, but then I’m not sure I’d want to be. I’d have to wear tights and pointy shoes and those frilly neck things, and to be honest, I don’t have the calves for tights. Enough said about that one.

Reason Three: I write to entertain.

I love books. I love movies. I love music. I love how they make me feel—not only during, but before and after as well: the anticipation of what’s coming; the experience when it happens; the mixed emotions when it’s over. And best of all, if the artist has got it right, the hunger for more. In short, to entertain.

After all, isn’t that the point?

Reason Four: I write for the feeling of achievement.

At the end of a day’s writing (especially the days when it flows), I feel good. Relaxed.

Finishing a chapter feels good. Starting a chapter feels good. Completing each draft is incredible, particularly the first and last.

When I’m mowing the lawns or washing the car (I mean pushbike) and a solution suddenly appears, solving a character or storyline problem, and the hair stands up on my neck…

I’m sure you get the picture.

I’ve had plenty of jobs, affording many occasions of achievement. But not like this. Never like this.

Okay, there are more reasons–including how writing reduces my stress, anxiety, guilt, remorse, and anywhere else my mind goes that it shouldn’t–but these four examples will do. Maybe yours are similar, maybe not.

What I will say is this: mine are in no particular order.

Are yours?

TAG! You’re it…

So here’s the point where I nominate other writers for the ‘hop’, so they too can answer the question: Why do I write?  I nominate as follows: 

D.R. Johnson, author of The Architect’s Essence: Salvation and Ruin    

Lia Scott Price, horror/vampire author and film producer

C.Miller author of The Reave Series (YA, Fantasy)

Keith St Clair Butler, author of The Secret Vindaloo

Angela Snyder, paranormal romance author

Courtney Shockey, romance suspense author