The Purpose for which I Put Pen to Paper

The hardest question anyone can ask me is why I write. The difficulty does not lie in the fact that I don’t have an answer; it lies in the fact that my answer is too simple. Whenever I am asked the question, my answer is always “To tell a story.” But is that truly the only reason? As far as I knew, yes. Until I read “Why I Write” by Terry Tempest Williams. The short work inspired me to think of a similar list.

I write to tell a story. I write to bring life to the characters in my mind. I write to create. I write to inspire. I write to take you on an adventure. I write so that you know there is such a thing as happy endings. I write to show that the good guy doesn’t always finish last. I write to bring hope. I write to bring joy. Sometimes, I write to make you cry. I write so that you know that it’s okay to wish for a happy ending. I write to offer an escape from reality. I write to teach a lesson. I write because I dream. I write to share. I write to relax.

I write so that my insanity slowly drains onto a blank piece of paper. I write because I must. I write to ease the rattling of ideas in my brain. I write because stories make good external hard drives. I write because I was given a gift. I write so that someone else will read; I write so that someone else will write.  I write because I can’t stand an empty white page. I write so that the cursor stops tapping its foot at me. I write so that a world may live. I write because it is who I am. I write because it is a passion. I write because I love words. I write because it is an outlet— mental, physical, emotional, creative. I write because I laugh; I write because I cry.

I write because a good story can be intoxicating. I write because stories are my drug of choice. I write because with every breath I take, my characters breathe with me. I write because I choose to. I write because everyone has a story, even those who only exist in my mind. I write because it is pure freedom. I write to exercise my mind. I write because it gives me purpose. I write because the words flow. I write because it goes well with coffee or tea and late nights. I write because I can assign flavors to sounds. I write because onomatopoeia is more than just a fun word. I write because I’m terrible at math.  I write because I read.  At times, I write to remember; others, I write to forget.  I write to sing the unsung.

Yes, I write to tell a story. But there is so much more beneath the surface that I never even noticed— and I am the one writing!