There are plenty of reasons people like to write. First of all, when one’s creative energy is sparking through one’s veins writing is fun – really, really fun. Then there’s the fact that – sometimes – you can actually earn a little money with your writing. Of course, it’s cool to casually say, “I’m a writer, you know.” And, writing can be cathartic (I love that word). Finally, being a writer provides a good excuse for not cleaning up after dinner: ”Gotta run, sweetie; I simply have to finish writing that last scene in chapter 10!”
Let’s go back to that first reason for writing – fun. If you’re a person who has always struggled with the written word, then this concept makes no sense at all. But if – like me – you started jotting down little poems and stories in elementary school (and they weren’t even a school assignment), and continued feeling driven to write through adulthood, then you get it. For you, there’s something singularly satisfying about rounding up and corralling just the right words, whether it’s for a non-fiction magazine article, a poem, or a moment in a novel.
I particularly like the poetic form called Haiku, because the strict format (first line, five syllables; second line, seven; third line, five syllables) forces the poet to express herself with just a few, choice words. It’s much harder than it might sound; give it a try.
Keep on writing.
