Why do I Write?

Why do I write? I often ask myself. Writing is not for the faint-hearted it's an isolating, frustrating and draining experience. A process which some day leaves you bereft of the energy to do anything else but sleep.

So why I do it? Perhaps because of those other days when the word flows quicky and easily from somewhere deep inside. It almost feels like you are giving birth to something wonderful. When you realize you'll never be happy doing anything else but writing. That writing is the calling of your heart. 

So case closed. Well, not exactly. The more I think about it, the less philosophical my reasons for writing become. Realistic motivations begin to take shape, which I will talk about in the rest of this blog, they are;

1. Inspiration

2. Motivation

3. Aspiration

Let's start with inspiration. It could be some fantastic scenario or crazy idea that popped into my head. Sometimes, the muse can strike like that, but for me, inspiration comes from reading other writers. Whether good, bad or downright ugly. They've all inspired me. As a writer or would-be writer, all I can say is your watchword is: read, read and read again. By reading other authors, you are constantly learning new skills, ideas, concepts and processes. A never-ending course of inspiration.  

That's inspiration covered; what about motivation? 

Well, motivation can be complex and often highly individual. What motivates one person can be completely demotivational for someone else. Further aspiration bleeds into motivation, so let's begin with some definitions.

• Motivation is the reason or reasons you seek to do something. 

• Aspiration is the desire to achieve something high or great.

With that clarification, what are my motivations for writing? 

Obviously, money is a motivation. It would be naïve of me to ignore this or pretend otherwise. There are of course other motivations. Which have perhaps been best explained by George Orwell. He divided the motivation of writers into four broad groups, which I've summarized below: 

1. Sheer egoism. Desire to seem clever, to be talked about, to be remembered after death. 

2. Aesthetic enthusiasm. Perception of beauty in the external world, or… the arrangements of words. 

3. Historical impulse; a desire to see things as they are.

4. Political purpose; a desire to push the world in a different direction or to alter other people's ideas of society. 

Orwell continues to say that these motivations blend in different combinations in different people, depending on their circumstances. 

I agree with Orwell, list. To me it cover the major, consistent motivations of authors. I would say my own motivations would combine aspects of 1,2 and 4. If you are a writer, what are your motivations? 

Now aspiration. Like motivation, is dependent on the individual. Speaking for myself, I have several as an author, with new ones developing constantly. 

I have many short-term aspirations, mainly simple things, like finishing the page I'm writing and starting the next one. This is particularly important on days when writing is hard. These everyday aspirations, keep me focused and may help push you forward. 

While I find those short-term aspirations useful. I never lose sight of my long-term aspiration; to write a novel that I'm proud of. Which takes the reader on a journey that continues after the final page. Just like the stories I read when I was younger. After that, the next objective is to become a best-selling or award-winning author, 

So, why do I write? I write because I've been inspired to do so, by reading and absorbing the work of other writers. I write because I'm motivated by internal desires and drives, to be an author of the stories of my imagination. Finally, I write because I aspire to inspire others the way I was inspired. And as reasons go, I can live with that. 

Why do you write? What motivates you? Have a think and let me know?

Talk again soon. 

Glenn