Why You Write

Earlier this month we asked the question, “Why Do You Write?”. Over 100 of you responded, noting the desire for expression, connection, clarity, healing, and more. We read many sentiments we identified with and suspect you may as well.

We’re sharing a few of your wonderful responses here. You can see them all over in the original thread. If you haven’t yet added your own writing motivation, feel free to do so there.

— Liz Kotin, Curation @ Medium

Better out than in

I write because I believe I have something important to say, but primarily because I would be a ridiculous mess if I didn’t. Writing is the outlet I need to get my thoughts and feelings out.—Timothy A. Wilson

Talking to people without actually having to talk to people

It’s my way of talking to the world. I’m an introvert and writing frees me from that feeling of angst when I surround myself with people.—Alejandro Orradre

Is that me in there?

After searching far and wide, I’ve finally found myself again. THAT is why I continue to write.—Zoe Odyssey

Understanding someone else’s story

We all come from diverse backgrounds with our own unique perspective and many stories to tell, these stories need to be written, read, understood, and enjoyed. This is why I write. — Sunila Khan

Read, write, resist

I write because sharing our stories is subversive, the antidote to subjugation. — Mindy Stern

Forging connection

I like sharing work on Medium because of the supportive community I’ve found — it’s like an ongoing conversation and a writing group rolled into one.—Amanda Laughtland

Reaching and helping readers

What keeps me writing is remembering why I started putting my work out — to make a difference to help others. The power of writing offers so much of value to me in the process, as well as to others with the results.—Angie Mangino

Note to self

To share things I have learned with others so they may gain something from it or add on. And for myself, when the time comes and those lessons fade, to come back to them with a new lens that might lead me to relearn what I wrote about or change my mind about the idea.—Yeabkal Abeje

Brain training

I write because I love what it does to my brain. I love how I feel when I write. I write a morning page every day to make the engine hot. Then I write an article in an hour or so, and publish it.

I write because writing makes me think about what I’m going to say before I say it. Writing allows me to look at the way I think. Sometimes it’s good (I’ll do more of that), sometimes it’s down (I need to rethink that).

Writing is by far the most enjoyable thing I can do for myself, by myself and for my mental health.—Scott Dunn

Express yourself

This is certainly a great question! I think we all hunger for expression in some way. There are many reasons for wanting to express, but overall, I think expression itself is the reason why I write. It helps me get things out of my head, helps me process, helps me teach, helps me learn, helps me listen. Writing in private keeps me sane. Writing in public helps me hope, connect and communicate with others. Writing is an amazing art! — Melina

Buy me a brownie

I write so that one day I may earn enough to afford a particularly dry, overpriced homemade brownie purchased from a local coffee shop.—Victor Cardenas

Poetry in motion

Because of the things that flutter in my head

and tug at my heart and soul while in bed

to express the many things I want to say

that turn into stories, books, and poems along the way— Giulietta Passarelli

Finding truth and courage

When I was in despair one night, I started writing on a piece of paper and realized how amazing my life really is.

I write my truth, I write about what I am afraid to say out loud

So yes, with each story, I become a little more fearless.

Now, I write hoping someone out there will find my stories and feel understood.

Writing has taught me to take life “One step at a time”

And when I am grappled with self-doubt, I remind myself of a promise I made a few months ago.

That I will keep writing as long as I hear my soul speak and as long as it is helping as least a single reader.—Aishwarya P

Processing the tumult in the world

So many reasons. But particularly with all that’s going on in the world right now, it really helps me to work through my thoughts. If the resulting words can help other people cope, process, or escape in some way, all the better.—Jeffrey Harvey

Because they said I couldn’t

I write for self-expression, but also because it’s the very thing the teachers once said I couldn’t do! When I was 14 my parents got sent a letter from the school saying I was illiterate. It turns out I was dyslexic. Once I got the supported I needed I started to improve academically. At 17 I got published in a book!

Having dyslexia means writing doesn’t come natural to me, but story telling, creativity and innovation does. Thanks to technology (mainly spell check and Grammarly) I can now put my stories in to written words and share them with you, right here on on Medium. Where I am now a top writer in at least 5 categories, including reading (at the time of writing this)!

I now use Medium to share my experiences of being a writer with ADHD and dyslexia to hopefully educate and also inspire others. My goal is to show others what is possible when you have a passion for something and for me it’s writing!—Trisha Dunbar

Ideas meet ideas

Ideas die in isolation. 1) In my own brain, if I don’t connect new ideas to the existing scaffolding, those new ideas will die. 2) If I don’t share ideas, I will take them to my grave. 3) If I don’t discover what ideas others value, the discussion will move on without me. Writing helps me to sort out my thoughts, share them, and join the ongoing conversation.—Robb Winkletter

Who even knows why?

I don’t know, but I love it.—Angel Molina Laguna