Let’s talk about why we write. Why I write. Why you write. Why you might want to start writing.
I grew up in a home where an evening spent reading was common and extraordinary. My sister and I would fill color-coded plastic bowls with snacks and burrow into the sofa with our parents. Whether we were all reading the same book or each reading different books, my family occupied fictional worlds as comfortably as we occupied the real world.
As a reader, I’ve always wished I could meet my favorite authors. And just … be around. Because it’s intriguing to me that an ordinary woman, living an ordinary life, might spin all those ordinary moments into a magnificent story.
Now, that ordinary woman spinning stories is me. And I absolutely adore having readers around, whether they’re listening to the podcast, replying to my email notes, commenting on social media—or even stopping me on the street while I’m walking my dog, to talk about what’s happening on Wren Island!
But why do I love writing so much? What’s driving me to write? What drives you to write or want to write?
A few years ago, I visited a meeting of local writers. That day, I took away a sort of “light bulb” moment. A group leader handed out 3×5 cards and asked each of us for a personalized answer to this question: Why do you write?
I’d never thought about the question before. I’d never wondered why I write. But I knew my reason immediately. The answer popped into my head right away, and I scribbled it on the card.
I write to experience life more deeply.
I looked at those words for a long time, surprised by how instantly they’d come to me, and how accurate they felt.
Writing forces me to sit with reality longer and sift through it—without filters. A brief joy, when penned into a journal, can become a moment worth remembering. A scary risk, when viewed as neat black letters on white paper, can become more doable. An unwanted grief, when lingered over on tear-stained pages, can assure me I’m alive. Enough to feel this. All of it.
Some people sky dive or race cars. I guess for me, living on the wild side means I write.
Often, what I’m writing in a fictional story relates to what I’m experiencing in the real world.
For instance, in the interactive serialized fiction project I shared with readers in 2022 and 2023. The story, Wren Island, is about 45-year-old Allison Theodore, who, among other escapades, adopts two dogs. Big brown Louise sometimes sort of acts like a guard dog. Sweet little Lokita is blind. Allison’s dogs were based on my own dogs at the time, Rosie and Moki.
While I was writing Wren Island, I had to say a final goodbye to Moki. (What a heartache! I can feel your hug across the internet, my friend. Thank you.) I’ve said goodbye to pets before. It’s always hard, hard, hard. Why did this doggie goodbye feel so much more painful than others?
I wonder if … Was it extra hard to say goodbye because Moki was the inspiration for a fictional character? Because I was writing about Moki?
I write to experience life more deeply.
I shared these thoughts with my email subscribers and asked if they ever write about life. If they journal or email a friend when times are hard. If they ever write poems to celebrate birthdays or seasons or milestones. If they create heartfelt social media posts.
Here are a few responses from readers:
• We all react differently to life’s journey. Sometimes we have to let go of the picture of what we thought life would be like and learn to find yourself in the story you are actually living.
• My reason for writing? I can’t NOT write, like I can’t NOT breathe.
• What a great question, Laura Joy! Why do I write? The first thing that came to my mind, and this sounds crazy, it was “to right wrongs!” It seems that in my heart of hearts, I am bound and determined to hand out happy endings.
It’s fascinating, isn’t it? So many reasons to write.
There are as many reasons to write as there are writers. Your reason, even if you’re not sure what it is yet, is as unique and beautiful as you are.
But how do identify what’s driving you to write? How do you figure out the deep-seated “why” behind your writing? That one reason that means you’ll wake up in the morning eager to write?
And once you know your purpose for writing, how can you make decisions that will honor that purpose? How can you choose activities, commitments, and other responsibilities that not only leave room for writing in our life, but foster writing in your life?
How do you create a writing lifestyle that reflects your unique priorities, strengths, and personalities?
These aren’t easy questions. I sometimes spend entire workshops helping people think through these questions. If your book club, writers’ group, or other community group would enjoy chatting more, send me a message.
Keep writing, my friend. It’s okay to start small. To take one little step at a time as you move toward creating the writing life you long to have—the one that reflects and honors your unique priorities, strengths, and personality.
(This post was adapted from my 100th podcast episode. Listen here.)
[Photo courtesy of Unsplash.]
