Why Write?
The musings of an impatient author
I’ve just finished the sequel to Stonechild, working title, Choice. It’s now in the post, figuratively speaking, to my chosen editor, Gary Budden, in Australia. It will be six weeks before I hear from him. Of course, I’m already feeling impatient. What will he advise, what needs to be done, when can I start looking for a literary agent/publisher? So, here are some musings while I try and fill that void.
Humans have always told stories. I picture aboriginals in Australia in the shadow of Uluru, or the Maasi people walking across the Mara, sharing their rich oral traditions of their history, culture and of the natural world. This is often their way of passing on knowledge and values to the next generations. Dickens gives us a vision of life in his time, Agatha Christie the value of justice and Stephen King on facing fears and the complexities of human nature.
Writing can validate our own lives. It can draw us into the moment, detailing what we see and hear around us. This can give meaning. Journalling is a good way of dealing with our own issues in life and if shared, can help others to see that they are not alone. Memoir (singular) and autobiography writing is extremely popular especially when written by the famous or those that have endured great struggles.
To leave something behind. There’s something powerful and long lasting with the written word. Books, especially, have endured the threats from digitalisation that many feared. Words can come from the heart or the soul. A play on words, much enjoyed here in France on the names of shops, un jeu de mots. It allows us to express our points of view, at a particular time in our lives. To be creative and imaginative. My mother wrote poetry, some of which I still have today.
We can change the world. I particularly like this one as it’s what I hope to do, in some small way, with my own writing. Science fiction is a good example of where the author helps us imagine something that we would never have imagined. This can be something that is later invented or created, or an improvement to the way we live our lives. How many of us would have imagine the scenes of a galaxy far, far away if it wasn’t for the Star Wars films?
Maybe, we desire to be a famous, successful and for our writing to make a difference. Those that do reach that lofty goal do appear to be able to achieve and influence more than most. Perhaps we write for a mixture of these things and more. As I said in the beginning, just my musings as I don’t think we need a reason, maybe it just pleases us.