This past week, I went to a small town in my province called Willow Bunch, and while there I had the pleasure of speaking with three writers who live there. One of them I spoke to on the last day, and she turned the tables on me, asking what I wrote about, and why.
My initial response was surprise. As a journalist, I'm used to asking the questions. But she was such a nice lady, and she ran this really neat thrift shop, so I couldn't just not answer her. So, from across the coffee table, I thought about why I write.
For one, I write from experience. I've only been around 20 odd years, but I've seen and done enough to know a few things. I told the writer, her name is Valerie, I told her exactly that and she seemed surprised, like she hadn't considered that before. What was really great about the exchange was when she told me about her experiences and how she too drew from them.
As to WHY I write though, that answer we never got back to. I mean, there are so many reasons to write. It's a way for me to express myself. That isn't to say I can't just talk to people. It's just I express myself better with the written word. I can organize myself better. And with all the ideas that pop into my head, it's a great way to get them out so I can sleep at night.
It's different for every writer. One day I want to talk to a large collection of writers and put down their reasons in a book, and every time I'd get stuck, or I wouldn't want to write anymore, I'd read what other writers have said and, hopefully, feel inspired again.
My initial response was surprise. As a journalist, I'm used to asking the questions. But she was such a nice lady, and she ran this really neat thrift shop, so I couldn't just not answer her. So, from across the coffee table, I thought about why I write.
For one, I write from experience. I've only been around 20 odd years, but I've seen and done enough to know a few things. I told the writer, her name is Valerie, I told her exactly that and she seemed surprised, like she hadn't considered that before. What was really great about the exchange was when she told me about her experiences and how she too drew from them.
As to WHY I write though, that answer we never got back to. I mean, there are so many reasons to write. It's a way for me to express myself. That isn't to say I can't just talk to people. It's just I express myself better with the written word. I can organize myself better. And with all the ideas that pop into my head, it's a great way to get them out so I can sleep at night.
It's different for every writer. One day I want to talk to a large collection of writers and put down their reasons in a book, and every time I'd get stuck, or I wouldn't want to write anymore, I'd read what other writers have said and, hopefully, feel inspired again.