Today on the Life Writers Vlog, it’s prompt day!
Let’s explore the diverse reasons behind writing—whether for pleasure, legacy, helping others, connecting with loved ones, or one of a thousand other reasons.
Here are the reasons of a few well-known authors:
Joan Didion says, “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see, and what it means.”
Mary Karr, author of several memoirs including The Liars Club and a book about writing memoir, The Art of Memoir, says, “I write to dream; to connect with other human beings; to record; to clarify; to visit the dead. I have a kind of primitive need to leave a mark on the world. Also, I have a need for money.”
Edwidge Danticat, novelist and author of the memoir, Brother, I’m Dying, says, “I aspire to write something that tells a much bigger story than mine but uses my individual story as a vessel for a larger understanding of whatever I’m writing about.”
Join us for today’s prompt into your journey of self-discovery and share your own motivations for writing.
Happy writing!
Writing per se fulfils a great human need. It connects human mind to “word” and to the queer ‘feel magic’ inhabiting the “word world”. The feel magic is but interplay between intellect, “word world” and the world in which we live and which serves us as matrix to our writing ado. Yet the most important element of writing: style. That, style, is a function of soul, rather soul type. It’s like fragrance on a flower- this style thing. It cannot be learned, nor honed. It comes along as a given, yes. It’s, therefore, utmost important that a writer at the… Read more »
My reason
Like many folks I know, I write for many different reasons: To express feelings and sometimes to discover feelings; to dream and paint pictures, especially of nature’s many pleasures; for self-discovery, when I am searching within; to bring a smile to someone or share a smile with someone; to simply play with words, sometimes in light verse; to dry a tear, mine or someone else’s; for catharsis when I am stressed; to keep my mind active with something constructive (I hope). I have always liked to write, even as a child. I used to write notecards and letters to friends… Read more »
Writing has been “on the back burner” of my mind for years. I tried to write my mother’s story but she refused. I don’t want to be an unknown figure in my grandkids, great grandkids, great, great, grandkids lives. I used to think my life wasn’t worthy of writing about. Now that I’m remembering paths I’ve taken through the years, I believe future generations might enjoy my journey. I’ll bet they might even see themselves in the choices and responses I’ve made. It would be great to speak from the past and maybe be an inspiration to a future generation.
I write because, like Pat Conroy said, “I am a designated rememberer.” I am the only one of my mother’s three children who sat with her and patiently listened to her stories. I was predestined because some unforeseen force made me sit beside her and listen when I’d rather go outside and play. When I got older, I realized I did not waste my time listening to Mama because I now had a reason to write her and my stories to hear my voice. I always loved to write, even when I was a child. I wish I brought all… Read more »
Until 2021, I took my life for granted. Never gave writing a thought. My daughter put the heat on me and made me take one of Patricia’s classes. I was hooked. Through my writing over the past two and a half years, I’ve been able to realize the value of my seventy-six years on Mother Earth. Whether good or bad, I now have a record that makes me think WOW!!! What a trip it’s been.
There’s also the entertainment factor. I get the warm fuzzies when I see the smiles on the faces when I share the adventure.
Writing fills a need I didnt understand. An outlet to get what is inside out.
Its a gift I can give. A gift I made with my own hands.
My sentiment exactly. It’s interesting to look inside – and then to share the findings.
Thank you, your vlog with the author quotes really inspired me. The exercise helped me take time to think deeply and transform my ideas about the prompt. I brainstormed for much more than 3 minutes, even came back to jot down more after a break. I now have a long reference list. 🙂