It is Friday October 28th as I write this week’s journal. It is 1:51 in the afternoon. There is a slight, intermittent breeze. When it kicks up you catch the scent of the open field south of the parking lot. There is not a cloud in the sky. The sun is so bright that you squint even when looking at the ground. Autumn weather is intoxicating. I love wearing layered clothing and being able to stand out here in the cool air and still feel the warm sun on my face.
Someone over at 48days.net proposed the simple question: “Why do you write?”
I wanted to answer that question here as well as there.
I write to remember. I have experienced good and hard times. Going back and writing about those times helps me to appreciate where I am currently and what I have learned from past experiences. Writing about those times; re-experiencing those emotions is a way of celebrating my life. Everything, good and bad, that has happened to me has combined to make me who I am today. I will deny nothing because to do so devalues me as a person. It is the same as saying parts of my life have no value and I refuse to believe this. All forty years of my life have value. I will celebrate it all.
I write to glorify God. Both good and hard times can glorify God. I am reminded of the verse that says: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)”
When I write about God’s grace through my hard times; it is a public confession of my need for supernatural help. I can bring God glory from the good times and the bad. By sharing those experiences I want to bring hope to others that may experience similar challenges.
I write to entertain. This is where the rubber hits the road. If my writing is not entertaining and engaging neither of the first two items on my list will be accomplished. My readers need to feel like they are right there in the middle of the story experiencing everything the events I am describing have to offer.
Most everyone who reads this blog writes. Even if you just put status updates on Facebook you are a writer.
Why do you write?
Great post James!
My writing generally comes out of personal experience. It is always something that has resonated with me deeply. I end up thinking about it continually until my thoughts are on paper.
I write to use my God-given abilities to help others. The things I have experienced or topics written about may not help everyone, but will touch the life of someone. It’s a nugget to get them thinking, see a new perspective, or encourage them on their journey to not give up.
I think the best writing comes out of personal experience! The emotions are strong and sometimes raw. Finding a way to help a reader experience the correct feelings and emotions is such a fantastic experience. It is a fantastic challenge!
I certainly think the biggest motivation I have to write is to entertain and to engage in conversation. It is fun to write a post that Wow’s people and has them singing your praises, but it is much more fun to write a post where it inspires others to actually share and engage in a back and forth dialogue. I don’t accomplish that much, but when it does happen it is the kind of heady experience that makes me hunger for more.
I agree with you that being public about our struggles and our triumphs help us to place the emphasis on ‘from whence cometh our help’. It is important to remind ourselves of the ways in which God has been faithful as well as to be an example to others that they aren’t alone and that what they are experiencing is normal and can be overcome.
Writing content that encourages dialog is truly the hardest!