Why We Write

I know you've heard me say a million times how much I love meeting other writers, learning how they write, why they write.

I love how much we're all alike, how much we're all different.

I love learning why each of us writes.

I've always been an avid reader of fiction. My jobs have always involved writing in some way - copywriting, ads, marketing material, proposals. Definitely not fiction.

Unlike some of you, I never wrote poetry at the age of three or wrote a book at eight or worked on the high school newspaper. I had other things to do. Like dance. And piano. And softball.

A few years ago, I learned quite by accident that not everyone carries around bits of stories and characters and settings in their heads. I always thought everyone did.

About the same time I learned this, an opportunity came along that allowed me to try my hand at fiction. The urge to write had been building for a little while, and I jumped at it.

Short stories poured out, some fully formed. I got tapped for some non-fiction. I learned I loved flash fiction. And I also learned my biggest love for both reading and writing is still the novel.

The more I write, the more bits and pieces fill up my head. They'll always be there. I'll continue to explore them. And while some of my short work is around here and there, maybe one day I'll write a novel worth publishing.

I hope that day is soon. And I hope you'll read it.

Why do you write?