Sometime ago, I came across the saying that “the weakest ink is stronger than the strongest memory,” so if you have something to say that’s worth remembering, its best to write it down. Simon Sinek, a prolific thought-leader, wrote a book in 2009 encouraging us to always “Start with Why.” Before you do anything worthy of effort, you should consider why you want to do it, and writing a book is no exception. If you clarify your reason for writing before getting out a single word, it makes the writing process that much easier (writer’s block aside).
There are many reasons why writers write, and we’ll look at a few of these reasons:
To inspire/encourage their readers.
There is a reason why self-help books that inspire and motivate perform well on retail platforms such as Kindle and Goodreads. Authors worldwide reach and help more people through their writing than they generally could in their circle of influence. I pour my heart into my work when I write because I want to touch my reader’s lives, whether it’s to give hope, strengthen, encourage or witness. I am not alone in my desire either. Writer Becky Dennis, author of “Brain Wreck,” shared that she writes to “help others overcome their journey.” Being able to share your own experiences through stories, and helping others through your words, are great reasons to write.
To educate
Traditional textbooks, books written by professors, musicians, skilled workers or just someone with experience in one area or another, with the sole intention of providing a blueprint for those who wish to follow them, are among the highest-ranking books ever sold. One of the most effective ways to learn how to do something is to read the instructions. This is as true for preparing holiday dinners from a recipe book as it is for a veterinarian in training, learning how to excise an abscess. Education is a driving force behind why readers read and is, therefore, one of the main reasons why writers write.
To express themselves creatively.
Many writers will tell you that they feel compelled to write. There is an innate desire inside their hearts to take thoughts and ideas from inside their minds and release them into the world. Building worlds, challenging the norm, and entertaining their readers have been cited as reasons why writers write. Ron Glick, author of “The Wizard in Wonderland,” said, “My first motivation though is to entertain – I take a great deal of pleasure from making others happy, and I use my writing as a means of pleasing others.”
For therapeutic reasons
When life becomes overwhelming, and we begin to question everything, as we often do, writing down our thoughts can sometimes bring us clarity and answers that we would not have found otherwise. Writing can bring us closer to healing and meaning, giving us a fresh perspective. Jesse C. Holder, a former U.S. military officer and author, wrote his book while stationed in Iraq. When asked why he chose to write, he said, “The major influence and why I wrote those 216 pages is simply because it was good therapy, and it was a way to tell a story in a different light.”
To make money
Admittedly, I was a bit hesitant to include this reason, but no list of reasons for why we write would be complete without it. For many writers, their books are a source of passive income that may or may not be their primary source of income. Writers that write well and understand the art of marketing their books earn a substantial amount from their work. For some writers, this was their only profession. T. Lyn Adams puts it this way, “It’s a profession and a passion. There is always something to write about, always a new story to craft. For most passionate writers, the problem isn’t creativity; it’s time. Not writing, for most of us, is like trying to hold back a sneeze.”
There are several reasons why writers write, this list just scratches the surface. Whatever your reason, whether you do it for love, for passion or for profit, sitting down to share a piece of yourself with the rest of the world is bold, admirable, and empowering. If you have something to say that’s worth hearing and remembering, write it down and make it public – your audience awaits.