Writing is a way of communicating not only with someone else e.g. by emails, blogs, articles etc., but also with yourself. I know I’ve mentioned this many times in my blog posts, but I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve been able to hold a pen, and the diaries and journals that I have kept, go back to when I was four years old. Nearly all of it is personal to me and unpublished, but my more recently published pieces are all about inpiring and teaching others. Here are some of the reason why I write:
To record the memories
I often revisit my old diaries and journals from the past thirty-eight years, not only reminisce but to learn something. Some of the entries from my younger days are quite comical, and my sister and my nephew quite often ask me to read out sections to them and we end up in stitches. It probably wouldn’t be funny to anyone else, but it certainly brings back memories to me .
To analyse my thoughts
Sometimes when my head is in a jumble, I like to write things down in bullet point form or even brainstorm by doing a mind map or spider diagram. I also write lots of words and draw pictures all over it. This creates a big picture in my mind and also something to build upon if I need to write a piece about a particular topic.
To de-stress
I write to relieve tension and stress. If someone has upset me, I’m feeling overwhelmed or I am just angry about something, I write, write, write. This is a very good way to express yourself and take it out on paper instead of a person (or a wall or object for that matter). I personally feel better after a few pages of very fast scribbling and when I read it back, the problem never seems as bad (and I quite often laugh about it).
To document something useful & teach others
If I’ve learnt something then I like to record it for my own benefit and sometimes for others too. I love helping people and find this is a very good way to share knowledge and ensure that I’m not keeping it to myself (a bit like this blog).
As a form of flow writing
This is also called stream-of-consciousness writing and I learnt this useful technique a few months ago (Note 132: Warming up before the real writing). Some people set the timer and write non-stop for five minutes or so without thinking, . Then they either use the thoughts for future pieces of writing, or discard them (as it might just be mumbo jumbo); however it at least motivates you to write and warms you up.
Just because I love it
I just love writing and have to do it every day (I never go anywhere without my notebook!). If I was left alone on a dessert island, I wouldn’t want to be without my notebook and pen. I love to inspire others and express myself through my writing and know that this is what I was born to do. I’m also slowly finding the right balance where I get enough time in the day (every day) to sit and write – early morning suits me best.
Are you also one of those people that have to write every day?
Related articles:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_writers_write
http://www.ehow.com/about_5137428_reasons-people-write.html
Hope you enjoyed today’s blog.
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
Freelance writer
www.sandramadeira.com
(For information on my services as a freelance writer as well as details of my book and other blogs).
This blog post forms part of My Writing Challenge.
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