7 reasons why I write

I’m often asked why I write, so I thought I’d share the reasons. In no particular order here they are...

1. I can’t sing, paint or do anything else creative. Unless you count baking. Does that count as creative? I suppose my brain must need *some* creative outlet. I’m often told gardening is a wonderfully creative pursuit. I’m afraid it leaves me cold. I literally couldn’t give a monkey’s about gardening. As long as there’s dappled shade and a chair for me to read, I’m happy with a garden.
2. I enjoy it – I absolutely love the feeling when I have a new idea and start writing the story, as I can’t wait to get to know the new characters and their motivations.
3. I’m always observing life, slightly from the sidelines, always thinking, ‘That’s an interesting turn of phrase,’ or ‘I wonder what could happen now,’ or ‘I must remember how awful/great this feels and use it in my writing.’ These thoughts were always buzzing around my head, only now I can use them in my writing. I have a pile of notebooks from 11 years old upwards, containing writing about this. These were my early writing note books, only I didn’t know at the time. Most people might keep a journal when travelling during their GAP year. I did, but I also wrote little stories, accounts of people I’d met on the travels. Things we talked about, amusing stories they told me, things we’d done together. I also used to write about break ups I’d been through.
4. I find writing can be a cathartic process to help with difficult periods of my life. A few years ago I had a very difficult period – the usual SAD combined with stress and hearing some upsetting news about a close friend.  I wasn’t writing at the time – I was 'between projects'. I realise this was a mistake. Even if I’m having a dark period, writing helps, even if it’s a few hand written lines in my notebook. When I’m experiencing SAD, stress, and it all feels like too much, and I have no time for writing, that’s when I know I must make time to write.
5. I’ve kept a journal since 1998 and have always enjoyed the taking stock, reflection element of that. Now I get to adapt those parts, and make up some fun bits in my fiction. It’s great!
6. I have read books and thought, that would be easy to write. It’s not. Easily read books are very hard to write.
7. I want to touch people with my imagination and characters in the same way as I have been with my favourite writers.

Writers, why do you write? Readers, do any of these surprise you? Do any readers have creative outlets which are similar to some of my reasons? I'd love to hear from you,
Until next time,
Liam Livings xx