Why Do I Write!?

That’s an excellent question. In the past, people wrote for the joy of it, and if they were talented enough, they also earned a living from it. Others used writing as a way to express their thoughts and emotions. However, the advent of the internet has transformed the landscape of writing. It has become more income-driven, with blogs and videos used to influence people in various ways. Writers often receive tips or offer paid content on various services.

Now, let’s delve into the question of why I write. I write because I enjoy it. It’s something I’ve always loved since I was young. I often had notepads around where I would jot down thoughts, ideas, and emotions. I never kept a journal, but these notes served as a way for me to express feelings that I kept bottled up inside. Sometimes, it was simply a fun activity. I would have a story idea or song lyrics in my head and write them down. I often had music playing as I wrote, and surprisingly, it actually calmed me down and helped me focus, which contradicts the common belief that distractions hinder writing.

Fast forward to today, and the internet and smart devices have revolutionized the way we write. All those notepads and ideas from the past are gone, and sometimes I wish I had them. I remember starting a book at one point, but I’ve looked for it, and it’s probably been thrown out with so many other papers years ago. Now, I have a notepad on my phone, filled with thoughts, some just a sentence, others interesting ideas. I sometimes return to those, while others are simply saved. I also have a laptop, and since I use Apple products, my notepad and other writing tools seamlessly integrate. There’s even AI to help me proofread my writing.

Despite all these changes, none of this explains why I write. 

The bottom line is that I write for myself. If others enjoy it, that’s a bonus. However, I don’t earn anything from writing, and I don’t really want to either. At 62, most of my writing today stems from experience or self-examination. Occasionally, it’s just something fun, but more often than not, even song lyrics contain a part of me. I’ve always been a very emotional guy, but I grew up in an era where men were discouraged from showing emotion outwardly. So, writing is my way of expressing those feelings. I have to be careful not to include so much detail that it affects others. I’m sure when I write about individuals occasionally, others can figure out who it is. I try to disguise that a bit, but close friends are sure to recognize themselves or others. It’s never done in malice, and I did take something down once at someone’s request even though no one had a clue what it was about.

I guess this is a bit of a ramble. I hope you get the idea, though. Why do I write? The first reason is that I enjoy it. The second and most important reason is that it’s my outlet. I’ve spoken in previous blogs about my memory of past events. Writing is my way of letting go of those old feelings and memories that pop into my mind daily. Take this for what it is. I write so I’m not overwhelmed with emotions of things present and ghosts from the past.