Why Women Write: Part Two of Two

We asked, “Why do you write?” To persuade? To inform? To change the world?

And so we asked, “Why do you write?”

And you responded, so much so that we had to create two separate posts.

To tell a story.

I’ve been telling stories since early childhood, and started writing them down at age 10. Now, in midlife, I’m still telling stories. Most are true, a few are fiction, all are from the heart. Robin

I write because I feel compelled to tell the stories which I have inside of me and which live in my imagination.

And the more I write, the more I find myself fascinated by the process of writing. Stories reflect our external and internal worlds, as well as our hopes and fears. We can learn from, and be inspired by, a great story.

Transforming ideas and thoughts into a concrete form such as a novel, short story or poem, which then lives again in readers’ imaginations is, for me, a fascinating and fantastic goal. Teagan Kearney

To be heard.

I write to manage and organise the ideas and internal dialogues that swirl around my head. Expressing them in writing creates a sense of order. For me, it’s also a less confrontational way of sharing ideas and opinions than doing so in person. Being slightly reticent, and uncomfortable with shouting my opinions out loud, writing is a way of being heard. Of course whilst it feels safer than voicing them lout loud in conversation, the flip side is that once they’re out there, I can’t take them back, disown them, pretend I meant something else or modify my opinions to follow the trend… should that be my inclination. Ultimately writing is a method of connecting, and sharing, which is a fundamental human drive… and yes, I’ll admit it… a way of being remembered. Jo Mackenzie Green

Because not writing was not even an option.

Why do I write? It never occurred to me NOT to … Debby Hanoka

Writing is like breathing. How could we stop breathing? Lizzie Gudkov

Because that idea just won’t stop buzzing.

First there’s an idea, something as small as the grain of sand penetraing an oyster. It buzzes around in my head, attracting more and more insides utnil it’s so big it needs an outlet in the form of writing (that goes for the voices in my head belonging to the story as well). It’s in my DNA. Carmen Radtke

I write because I have been reading romance for 40+ years and was frustrated with many of the offerings. So I decided to write the kind of book that I wanted to read. Once the concept took off in my head, the imagery and voices took over. Lucy

I write because otherwise my mind would implode from the never-ending tide of dreams and ideas. Elaine S. Moxon

To share.

Because I am excited by ideas, knowledge, the world and want to share the excitement and wonder and insights. I write non-fiction, and children’s fiction. I feel strongly that people should be empowered by having knowledge available to them. By showing children that their experiences fit into a larger pattern and they are not isolated with their feelings, that can empower and comform and help them to grow. So it works for non-fiction and fiction in only very slightly different ways. Stroppy Author

To understand the world a little bit better.

I write to help me make sense of the world around me and filter the myriad of human experiences. Once in written form, I can achieve a sense of fulfilment, understanding and even peace. Rebecca Stonehill 

Writing has become an act of consulting with myself. When in need of finding deeper understanding it seems the blank page is my best friend. Whether I go to it quietly or filled with emotion the blank page speaks back to me with wisdom. I wonder where that wisdom comes from and how it is even possible to answer one’s own questions? I mean, it seems a little silly doesn’t it… to even bother to ask a question that in the end know we will answer for ourselves? There is an irony there, yet this perspective on and use of writing is invaluable to me. There is so much to be found inside. Donna Falcone

I write out of a fascination with words and other worlds, and because there is a need in me to put ideas onto paper, to inhabit the minds of different characters, and to explore aspects of human nature. I write to change people’s minds, to open their minds up to different cultures and characters through description and detail. I write because I can’t imagine ever not writing. It runs through my veins. fcmalby

I write to lose myself and others in a different world. Krissy Lynn

To understand ourselves.

I write first and foremost to know myself. I write in my journal daily to figure out my thoughts, emotions and dreams. Every major life decision was first worked out in the pages of my journal. I then write to share what I’ve learned about myself in a way that I hope will help others. I also write to create change in my community – I’ve had the satisfaction of seeing my writing positively change a school board policy and raise awareness of social justice issues. I believe that in order to change the world, we must first change ourselves. Writing is an important tool for self growth. Victoria

After a writing session, an enormous amount of pressure is relieved. A feeling of lightness and clarity comes over me. Until the heaviness returns, I’m compelled to write again. MJ Brodeck

I began writing to heal, to make sense of everything that had happened to me. Soon it became a therapy, then a hobby and now a career. Writing is now another part of me; just as my hair, my hands, my eyes. LA Richards

We all write for different reasons. Some of us write every day. Some of us write once a year if we’re lucky. Some of us write at four in the morning with a cup of coffee at our side, while others write by moonlight. We write for different reasons, at different moments, for ourselves or for each other or for no one really at all, but at the end of the day, we all write.

And Nonny James summed it up simply, and beautifully, when she said: Why do I write? Simple. Because I have to.

—

First of all, I want to thank all of you that commented on this post and shared your thoughts and experiences with us. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Second, if your thoughts were not included in this post, do not fear – there will be more posts that ask for your responses. Comment on the post (not on Twitter!) to make your thoughts heard.

And, finally, if you have a blog/website/social media link that you would like connected to your name in this post, email me at rachellewis@booksbywomen.org with “WHY I WRITE” in the subject line and your name and link in the body of the email.

Tags: women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Writing