Why Do We Write, Part 2

Continuing on from Why Do We Write, Part One, exploring reasons why we (and I) write.

Multiple Reasons for Writing

Whether we write blogs, an email, poetry, fan fiction, journals, a fantasy epic or technical documentation, there is usually a mix to why we write something.

Control and Independence

It might not be a reason people immediately think of, but control is something we can achieve with writing. By extension, control can lead increased independence.

Firstly, what we write is something we control. We choose the writing style, the contents and the medium. If we want a story where two friends fall in love, a list of 100 Cornish names or a poem about cream teas going on holiday, we can make it so.

It's an environment we get to choose. When you're in a life where you feel out of control, having somewhere of your own such as a journal or story-world is a powerful thing.

Then there is the control of somewhere we can control and show to others, such as a blog. This might be for money too, but it can also be somewhere to show friends, family or something work-related. To show off our expertise or interest in a place of our choosing.

On reflection, this one is quite a large one for me. This blog, Rand Roll, my journalling and publishing e-books have all been key to control and independence.

Self Development

When we write, we are forced to put thoughts, feelings and fragments of our imagination into words. This helps to coalesce ideas, memories and opinions.

It might be done consciously, such as with a journal, or simply part of the process or writing a memoir, fiction or even a letter.

There are many writing exercises that use writing. Because when we are writing, our thoughts are slower and more considered. There is the luxury of being able to go over them more than once. And compare things.

For me, it's also a method of learning in a defined manner. Writing in other languages, writing reflections and putting together plans to improve.

Because It's Satisfying

This seems to be a combination of last time's A Need to Create and For Pleasure.

But we may write without the urge to create something. Because completing a story only we'll ever read, crossing things of a list or creating a list of thousands of social media followers is satisfying.

We get short hits of dopamine from ticking things of our todo list. Creating something bit-by-bit or as a one-off fits that.

Although I have a need to create, there are many things that aren't the first thing to create, such as many mundane blog posts for gaming, some daily or lists of names to publish. But I do enjoy the satisfaction of seeing these things grown, one item at a time, into something larger.

Maybe this is also tied to habits!

Finishing Up

More discovering by writing. Thing they'll be one more of these.

Why do you write?