Why You Must Write

I’m going to start the new year with total transparency about why I teach and coach people to write. 

Because writing, well, it’s a fool’s journey. The work is difficult, chances at fame and monetary success are slim. Friends and family doubt why you spend so much time working on something that doesn’t pay you back. Even you sometimes wonder if you’re crazy. 

I know this. I’m not a pollyanna coach pretending ‘it’s all good’. I’m taking a stand for each and every one of us who wants to write. 

Because writing pays you back. I’ve seen it again and again. 

I believe if you have the impulse to write, you must follow it. Despite all evidence and advice against writing as a way to be a happy, sane person, I believe that giving in to the impulse to pen something is the very stuff of life itself. 

In my writing classes, I often give the prompt ‘I write because’. Writing for 15 minutes on this topic is often enough to plug someone into their motivation to write. A writing practice that is satisfying follows from there.

If you’re someone who has been sitting on her hands, hiding her voice and not writing, I offer nine reasons why you must write. 

Because it feels good. If you’ve ever caught the groove of the keyboard or pen across the page, you’ll know the breathless exhilaration writing can give. You can do that to yourself without spending any money?! Creative jollies for free! Who wouldn’t take that up?

Because you have something to say. Author Brenda Ueland says “Everyone is talented, original and has something important to say.” Believe it’s worth your time to get words on the page. 

Because you’re curious to see what emerges from your pen and heart. And that curiosity must be satisfied for you to feel right in the world.

Because writing introduces you to your true self. Writing offers a transformative process similar to sharing with a friend or counselor. When you write, you may feel a sense of being heard – by yourself, at least. And aren’t you the one you most need to know and trust? 

Because knowing yourself leads to positive changes in your life. You can’t help but notice the dusty corners of your psyche that need tidying up and the things you can no longer tolerate. Taking up the pen is taking up the sword in defense of a life you actually want to live.

Because it’s fun. Often in free writing, fictional stories will emerge from our pens. Free writing frees us to explore, play and enjoy a limitless freedom of our imagination. This is the giggly part of writing; not to be missed. 

Because you get to be free. You deserve to live without the weight of procrastination. Instead, you get to feel the exhilaration of your own creative flow. You get to move, and do things and share your world through your words. 

Because it’s good to express ourselves. I was in the audience at a conference when Brene Brown said “unexpressed creativity is not a benign force’. Tears flowed down my face. I’d known all along that our creativity is as vital to our health as is good food and exercise. To hear it validated by a researcher added wind to my wings.

Because you can. Freedom of speech is no small boon – take it and use it.  

Add your own tenth reason for writing. Set a timer for 10 minutes, and using the prompt I write because…write your heart out.