Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!
Prompt
Source: The Writer's Idea Book: First prompt on page 22
Write about your need for a creative life or simply your need to write. Why do you do it? What needs are fulfilled through it? Cal your essay "Why I Write."
Response
Why I Write
Why do I write? Because it is part of who I am. But that is a vague and general type of answer - so let me go into more detail. I am a dreamer, which means I have a very active imagination. It is a blessing and a curse. I blessing because it comes in handy when I write. It also helps me in my day job which is computer programming. Being able to think creatively helps in problem solving.
So why is it a curse? Well first their are the nightmares. I have extremely vivid nightmares. And then the worry. I am by nature a worrier. So being able to imagine these really intense worst case scenarios - doesn't really help.
Writing is the outlet for my imagination. It is also an outlet for many other emotions. When I am happy I like to write about it. When I am sad I like to write about it. When I am hurt or angry - I write. Writing is very therapeutic. I have often found it helps me to release negative feelings by writing a letter. Like when I am angry at someone I write a letter... then throw it away. Or burn it. The benefit is I got the release of venting my frustration - without damaging my relationship with the person.
I write because it makes me feel happy and alive. Even if the end result is drivel that will never see the light of day again. The act of imagining a scene and then putting it on a piece of paper is thrill enough.
That is why I write.
I write to make the voices in my head either speak up or go a little quiet. (Turns out, those voices? They're usually the narrators of the story :) )
ReplyDelete@Lynn(e) - Haha, that is so funny! And a good reason for writing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. I write for the same reason. I can't imagine life without writing.
ReplyDelete@Christine - Neither can I. I feel so much happier and well balanced when I am writing regularly.
ReplyDeleteOh man, you could have been writing this about ME! It's fantastic. Especially the worrying part. Some people don't understand it - but man - I hate it! On the other hand, I try to appreciate the part of it that is a blessing! Great response today! :)
ReplyDelete@Leigh - Thanks! I know the worrying really gets to me. My husband helps me laugh it off when I get too work up. Which helps a lot :)
ReplyDeleteI write out of a deep need to communicate the value of life and the joy of living. Life is art that can only be experience first hand. One of my favorite quotes is "I only fear being a passenger in my own life instead of being a participant." I believe that it is from Kate the new Princess.
ReplyDelete;D
@Wily -- That is a very poetic way to put it :)
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post. And yes, writing is soooo therapeutic.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I write is because I loooove words... I love the sound/feel/texture/ etc. of words like: caboodles & incandescence & deja-vu....
@MISH - That is cool. I had a creative writing teacher whose favorite word was onomatopoeia because of the way it tolled off her tongue :)
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