We write because we can. We write because an inner pulsation beats like a second heart, boom. boom, boom, and until we stop and write our stories, this sound is a steady companion that insists we release our words to the page.
We write because we can’t not write. To deny our books, our poems, our essays is to deny an essential need. The need to tell. To share. To craft an understanding of ourselves and our actions through the steady movement of hand upon the page.
We write because we must tell our truth. By telling our truth we build our courage. In writing we fulfill an unspoken pact we didn’t even know we made: show up and speak. Be a truth teller.
We write because it’s fun. We write because we’re in love with language and to dash words onto a page is an exuberant ride that leaves us jolly and breathless.
We write because we have lived something so incredible as to be unbelievable, even to ourselves. That our very own flesh has lived through things we cannot speak but somehow can write.
We write to craft a bridge between ourselves and others who must know what we know. We write because lives may be saved, hearts may be healed through reading our words.
We write because underneath the knowing of our minds beats a deeper, more powerful knowing and words are the way to express that depth.
We write because it’s damn fun to create a world that is solely ours, that gives such pleasure in its creation. We write because in those moments we feel like God. We write because writing is a joyful holiness rarely felt elsewhere.
We write because writing is power and in taking up the pen we claim our own power. We write our real selves into existence.
We write because we’re frightened and we know our fears will shrink when penned to the page.
We write because we’re sacred and know that in moments of written stillness, when we bow our heads over the page, our breath and our hand caressing the paper, we make simple moments holy.
We write to connect. We write to play. We write to discover and we write to share. We write because we care.
We write because despite every worldly obligation that tells us to do the dishes, call our mothers, check Facebook one more time, we know deep down that writing is our gift. Writing is our birthright and writing is our way.
Martina Wald/jedentagzeichnen says
April 16, 2014 at 9:35 amWow, this is powerful! Great Text.
Cynthia says
April 16, 2014 at 10:16 amThank you, Martina! It was fun and real to write. 🙂
Theo Barootes says
April 16, 2014 at 10:48 amCynthia: Your blog post reminds us of those things which we already know. The trick of course, is to remember these powerful truths. We write despite our fears to share who we are as well as what we know. To dare as you have, to open your heart. Thank you for helping writers reclaim their power. You have spent years shining a light so that others can see their true path. I want to acknowledge you for sharing your wisdom and courage. You are a powerful voice.
Cynthia says
April 16, 2014 at 10:59 amThank you, Theo!
I love helping people open up to their truth using writing or other media to express themselves. I’ve come to see that self-expression is a real and powerful need that must be met.
The trick, I think, is less to remember and more to ACT on our truth. To follow that impulse to write, or draw or dance, or whatever, without over-thinking it. I know that’s my issue – I overthink and then the original impulse fades and crumbles under logic.
Hope you are writing!
Robin Hallett says
April 16, 2014 at 12:39 pmCynthia,
This is so beautiful. Thank you.
I write because it heals me.
You help me write because you see me and believe.
Thank you.
xx
Robin
Cynthia says
April 16, 2014 at 2:14 pmRobin,
That’s so great. I think writing is one of the greatest and most safe healing allies we have. I am glad you have it in your repertoire!
I love seeing you and it’s easy to believe in you!
Keep writing. 🙂
Michelle says
April 16, 2014 at 12:48 pmsinging yes – and giving thanks for all this written TRUTH!
Cynthia says
April 16, 2014 at 2:16 pmThank you, Michelle, for your YES! I love how many ways and reasons for writing that we feel. 🙂
Anne says
April 16, 2014 at 1:34 pmYes!!!
Cynthia says
April 16, 2014 at 2:16 pmThanks, Anne!
Sarah Raplee says
April 16, 2014 at 3:40 pmThe truth in this post touched me deeply. I am sharing this everywhere and promoting your blog. Sometimes we need to be reminded of these things.
Thank you!
Cynthia says
April 16, 2014 at 7:21 pmThank you, Sarah! I am so glad you liked this. I wrote it straight from my heart, feeling all the writers in my world who have the courage to take up the pen and write.
Thank you for sharing!
barbara techel says
April 16, 2014 at 3:48 pmI write because I want to leave a positive impact on the world and stand tall in my truth.
I’m also so grateful for the Free Write Fling when I took a sabbatical last October. At that time I felt like I had nothing else left to write but discovered through personal journaling with the help of the Free Write Fling that, guess what? I still wanted to write.
Thank you!
Cynthia says
April 16, 2014 at 7:22 pmBarb,
Thank you for sharing that here! It’s such a gift to return to our writing well and discover that there is more to sip and share.
I and your readers are very glad you are still writing!
Thank you back. 🙂
elizabeth says
April 16, 2014 at 9:18 pmWow, Slink, this is a great piece…the rhythm is trancelike and calls out across the screen to be applauded and acknowledged!
Cynthia says
April 17, 2014 at 7:57 amThanks, Elizabeth! I appreciate your comments on my writing! You know exactly what I am talking about. Perhaps we can write when we get together later this month! I miss writing with you.
Bobbi Rubinstein says
April 16, 2014 at 9:33 pmThere was a lot in here. Yes, there’s something about actually putting hand to page. I’ve been writing with fountain pens and colored pens lately. Courage, show up and speak. Tell the truth, being in love with language (words – my first and truest love no matter what other media I try)Creation, God, joyful holiness. Making simple moments holy. Practicing my handwriting as I journal is a form of meditation for me.
Being knowledgeable, if not very observant, in my own religion, I’ve taken to reminding myself that the Old Testament says God created and said it was good. And then continued to create and refine his creation. It doesn’t matter whether I believe in God, I just like to remind myself that God and spirituality, is about creating and even God had first drafts!
You mentioned in a reply to a comment about overthinking and how the original impulse fades and crumbles under logic. That was great. I was talking to a dog trainer yesterday on the phone for our new puppies and it took him about 2 minutes to tell me to stop overthinking. Me overthink?!?
Finally, as the mother of 2 twenty-something daughters who have spent their college/post grad years out of the state and the country, and as a daughter who used to go weeks not calling her own mother even though she lived in the same city … call your mom. Just do it … ;>)
Cynthia says
April 17, 2014 at 8:00 amBobbi,
Yes, I plan to call my mom today. Thank you for the nudge! (I love you.) 🙂
I’ve been an over thinker for as long as i can remember. It’s hard to separate ‘over’ out from regular, creative, intellectual thinking. When is it too much?
For me, I love free-writing and doodling because it feels like I’m accessing a space beyond thinking, while still engaging. Hard to describe.
There’s a lot in here because there is so much available to us in our writing practice! The students in the Free-Write Fling touch on so many different levels and places. It’s a month of awareness and appreciation and practice. I love it so much! I want everyone to do it. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience here, your sacred pact with yourself and your creativity. I love it. I am glad you are creating!
Kelly says
April 17, 2014 at 6:01 pmI write as a way to dialog with the aspects of me that knows and doesn’t know. I write to invite various possibilities to the table. I write so ALL aspects of me has a chance with the talking stick. Especially the sides that might be shy or vilonized in another setting. The paper hears me out, holds the space, and simply allows what is alive to be witnessed.
Cynthia Morris says
April 21, 2014 at 7:56 amI love that, Kelly! It’s Deep Democracy within yourself. It’s like your writing is an illuminated manuscript, shining light on all parts of you.
That’s a powerful practice. I’m glad you write!
Debra Marrs says
April 21, 2014 at 10:21 pmA beautiful post, Cynthia. You have the bases all covered. And more. I felt myself welling up with emotion at the many reasons we write. Oy vey! Isn’t it wonderful?
I write because it feels good. I feel SO good once I’ve written. I’m not always the best at getting to the blank page but once I’ve written, I soar. I don’t know of any better way to listen to my soul’s message than to freewrite. The space you hold for the Free-Write Fling is a magnificent service and blessing to all who join you! Write on!
Bryan says
June 3, 2014 at 3:25 pmCynthia – I’m a little late for the party in my comment. Anyway, a great post on the mysteries of the need to write. I was inspired to go back and re-read Orwell’s famous take on the subject http://orwell.ru/library/essays/wiw/english/e_wiw
I just love this passage : “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” A little over-stated perhaps but basically I think he got it right.
Cynthia says
June 3, 2014 at 5:16 pmThanks for chiming in, Bryan. It’s oh so true that writing a book, or anything for that matter is a labor of love. And devotion. And foolishness. But I believe we’re rewarded with gifts if we stick with it. And not gifts like sales or bestseller lists: gifts of ourselves.
I like Orwell’s dour language. So British. It is over the top, and delightfully so. 🙂