The other day I experienced one of those wonderful moments when something I had been struggling to write suddenly gelled into relative perfection, and the resulting onrush of joy prompted me to exclaim loudly and impulsively, “I LOVE WRITING!” My husband, who had heard me but didn’t say anything much at the time, must have remembered and been thinking about it, as he asked me today, curious, what it was I loved so much about writing. Without a moment of hesitation, I was able to answer.
I love the ability to take a handful of words that might on their own be neutral or meaningless, and craft them together with other seemingly neutral or meaningless words into something beautiful, thought-provoking, meaningful.
I love the satisfaction of creating a sentence or turn of phrase that pleases me, a gem that I can later roll around in my mind and savour the different layers of taste and meaning.
I love the feeling of struggling, being frustrated, persevering, and then surrendering as something bigger than me takes over and puts the words together the way they should be.
I love it when even one other person is moved, amused, blessed, motivated, by something I’ve written.
I love (and fear, if truth be told) the awesome power and responsibility that comes parceled up with the gift of writing.
I love it all. And this is why I write.
So, why do YOU write?
Please share!
(Originally posted in January, 2012.)
{ 32 comments… add one }
You are so freaking eloquent. I’m so jealous! This was beautifully written about writing :).
I write for release. I write for ideas, for help, to offer opinions and feelings that might help someone somewhere down the line. To let someone who’s thinking of making a purchase know what a real person thinks of a product. Sometimes I write for money, not often. Mainly for release. I wish I could release/write more, but everyone knows me. So I toss shit into a bag and throw it over my shoulder and carry it down my road.
Karen recently posted… On Accepting My Handicap
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 10, 2014
Thank you so much, Karen! Writing is a great release, isn’t it? I think it’s amazing that we have these blogs that allow us to share ourselves with the world!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: DianeAllinson
February 10, 2014
I have always wanted to write, only recently started blogging, but still feel like my inner writer is buried under a lot of debris, trying to fight it’s way out
Di recently posted… Fill your life with what you love and it’s hard not to love life
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 10, 2014
Interesting observation… thank you for sharing, and all the best as you unearth your inner writer.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: carolejshaffer
February 10, 2014
Great post. I really didn’t know i enjoy writing until i started to blog, it helps me put my jumbled mess of a brain in order.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
I love how blogging helps us discover parts of ourselves we didn’t know existed!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: manjirichitnis
February 10, 2014
Laurel that is a lovely post! I write because it is something I have to do, the words simply walk into my head and I do not want to loose those thoughts so I blog what I can share and for the private stuff I have written a diary for as long as I can remember
ManjiriK -sliceoffme recently posted… Yves Delorme and the Monogrammed Linen Shop Review
Twitter: barbblogtwits
February 10, 2014
When I read this comment I could only think “I wish I had said that!” Yes, that is what I wanted to say…the words simply walk into my head! Great!
b+ (Retire in Style Blog) recently posted… Friendship:To Join or Not to Join
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
I totally agree!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
Thank you so much! I love the way you phrase that – what a beautiful image!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: WalkerThornton
February 10, 2014
YES! When I write something that just flows…effortlessly, then I’m in that ecstasy. I know exactly what you mean.
Walker Thornton recently posted… Listening Skills: A Tool for Every Relationship
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
Well said, Walker!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
This is a great post on writing!! I certainly enjoy the release and expression writing affords me. I have trouble thinking of myself as a writer, but I seem to do it well [enough], as said by others. I’m really grateful for my blog
Life Breath Present recently posted… A Tribute to Rock n Roll
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
Thank you! And I think our blogs are a wonderful gift.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: barbblogtwits
February 10, 2014
Writing is something I do because it fulfills a creative need. Like you I do like it in spite of some frustration. I didn’t start my blogging life until I was in my sixties but I cannot remember the when I didn’t wake up with the first line of a story or thought in my mind. I can only say I wish I had begun sooner. Blogging has been a wonderful addition to my life.
b+ (Retire In Style Blog)
b+ (Retire in Style Blog) recently posted… Friendship:To Join or Not to Join
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
I’m so happy you discovered blogging! I think it’s such a wonderful writing outlet.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: teresaedmond
February 11, 2014
I write because it’s cheaper than therapy and I can financially profit in the long run:-)
Teresa recently posted… My tastes in literary genres
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
Love it – win-win!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
All of the above!
I write because, like air, I need it to live!
Diane recently posted… The Ice Cream Idiot
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
Yes! I hear you on that!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: midlifequeen
February 11, 2014
I write because I LOVE words and, at this point, I simply cannot stop! I am certain I will be writing until the day I die…
Laura Lee Carter aka the Midlife Crisis Queen recently posted… Inspiration: My Valentine’s Day Gift to YOU!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
Wonderful reason, I’d say!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: mktgcopywriter
February 11, 2014
I write for two reasons.
1. To help others – when my clients are struggling with how to put their ideas into words, I help them communicate their marketing message in a way what captivates their prospects & converts them into customers.
2. To clear my mind – each morning I write “Morning Pages (i.e. from Julia Cameron’s “The Aritist’s Way”). It is where I write for myself, write what I’m grateful for, and clear my head of “chatter” so I can start the day fresh.
Thanks for sharing your love for writing!
Debra Jason recently posted… Writing Ad Copy You Believe In
Twitter: mktgcopywriter
February 11, 2014
Oops, noticed a typo (a writer’s fear) in my earlier comment. The book I mentioned it called “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron (Not “The Aritist’s…)
Thanks.
Debra Jason recently posted… 5 Ways to Use Branded Content to Boost Your Brand
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
No worries – but I know exactly how you feel!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 11, 2014
Great reasons, Debra! I like how you balance your writing between others and yourself.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 16
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
February 12, 2014
Good question, Laurel. I write because I can
It’s something I started doing as a young only child, alone in my room, trying to escape from the real world. Writing can be cathartic, exhilarating, frustrating, satisfying and even torturous. The process is often painstaking for me, as I have this perfectionist bent and tend to over analyze every word. Writer Barbara Amiel once said “I don’t enjoy writing but love having written.” Fits to a certain degree. 
Debbie recently posted… #8Sunday WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS, FEB. 9/14
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 12, 2014
Oh, I can SO relate to what you’re saying, Debbie! That quote is one of my favourites, actually. And I am a total perfectionist when it comes to my writing, so much so that it sometimes paralyzes me into writing nothing. Strange, isn’t it?!
Laurel Regan recently posted… How do you define a writer?
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
February 12, 2014
One of my favourite quotes, also.
What you said: “I am a total perfectionist when it comes to my writing, so much so that it sometimes paralyzes me into writing nothing.” Affects me that way too! I’ve always been amazed at people who can just pop out a brilliant paragraph in no time at all. 
Debbie recently posted… “DEAR WEBMASTER”…ADVENTURES IN BLOGGING
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 12, 2014
Totally! It usually takes forever – and many, many edits – before my inner perfectionist is totally happy with something I’ve written.
Laurel Regan recently posted… On speaking Canadian to a (mostly) American audience
Once again you’ve inspired me. My answer is here: http://elainelk-tealeaves.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-i-write-in-response-to-arecent-blog.html
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 15, 2014
Excellent – I’ll check it out!
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