Why Do I Write? Why Do I Not Write?
I wrote this post on September 10, 2021 as part of the Write of Passage online writing course
I thought I’d write a brief essay of why I write, but I came to the realization that what I should really be exploring is all the reasons that I don’t write.
As much as I’d like to proclaim myself a writer, nothing in my track record so far can substantiate this claim. But if deep inside I have this voice shouting at me telling me that writing is something I must do to get meaning and clarity in life, then why the &*^% am I not doing it all the time?
This week I’ve joined the 7th cohort of the world’s most amazing on-line writing course, Write of Passage, by David Perell. If you want to experience how the future of learning should be, you must check out ‘WoP’. To me, WoP is an empowerment experience: how to develop the wrestling techniques to use the internet and data to my own advantage as opposed to only giving away digital footprints of my life to big tech. If I have no choice but to give up my privacy, then I might as well develop the muscles and agility to engage with these platforms and exploit them to my advantage, on my terms, with my voice.
Why Do I Write?
For the feeling of synthesis. I mean, that process of clarified thinking. That’s not to say I won’t or can’t change my mind; I’m talking dynamic synthesis that may change over time, not static synthesis! I get deep pleasure from the feeling of understanding concepts better, and for me nothing creates synthesis better than writing.
For the epiphanies. Writing for me catalyzes new questions and ideas that I hadn’t even thought about before I had begun the writing process. Quite often, these epiphanies are more valuable gems than the original synthesis that I was seeking.
For meaningful interaction. I write first for myself, but just as importantly as a way to stay connected and hopefully ‘in-dialogue’ with a few of my closest friends, as well as to experience the wonder of making a few new friends along the way.
Why Do I Not Write?
I’m terrified of publishing incomplete or vacuous material
I’m disorganized and need to improve my habits; particularly to shed routines and commitments that have no compounding value
My writing-gratification pathway is subtle and indirect. When I go cycling, running or swimming I get a quick ‘high’ within 20 minutes of starting the activity. Writing for me is more like stretching or meditation. Pain or fear receptors are firing and there’s not that quick flood of endorphins to drown them out.
One of my objectives is to start publishing a short essay every day. This is because I feel that I need my most precious desires to become part of a daily habit. Write of Passage demands the creation of more substantial essays, and I’ll need to learn how to manage larger creations that are in-development for many days while at the same time publishing a short daily piece.
I’d be interested in knowing if any of my thoughts resonated with you, or if you have some other strong reasons for why you write, or don’t write!