By: Tony Cartledge

Tony Cartledge — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 05:18:26 +0000

For some of us, writing is like the fire in Ezekiel’s bones that left him no choice but to preach. Write away, Elizabeth, and worry not what others think your motives might be!

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 02:51:08 +0000

I think it’s useful to figure out why you write, especially when you are writing about your own life, not writing technical manuals about how to install a microwave oven. For me, writing,about my own experience has enabled me to examine my life objectively. Through the process of examination and exploration, I am able to become detached from the emotion and to see it as an observer. I love being able to write about something that I experienced 50 years ago or five minutes ago and seeing it in a new light. It sometimes amazes me that I begin to write about something and remember a detail I thought was forever gone from my memory. And I love it when I get insight into the meaning of an event, of a conversation from many years ago, and realize how it has influenced my life. All of these vignettes, all of these things become like an impressionist painting, little dabs of color. I just need to get them on paper and step back to see the full picture. Then it acquires meaning, something uniquely my own, and I see the truth. You’ll keep doing it because you have to and the meaning will come spilling out, you’ll create your own impressionistic painting. Keep going!

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:12:54 +0000

So true. I write because it’s the lens through which I see the world and attempt to find my place in it. Writing is simply a part of me, whether in published, polished form, or simply in my journal. It’s my voice. Thanks for such an honest post. I look forward to the privilege of reading your book project.

Comments on: Why Do I Write?

By: Tony Cartledge

By: Donna

By: Maria