01 Sep Why I Write?

How does it feel to start something only to leave it midway just because you were unable to keep up with the commitment and work it involved?

Guilty, and of course, a sense of incompleteness. That’s exactly how I felt about ignoring my blog for the past few months as I pursued new interests and opportunities. 

Fortunately, writing, which is my first love, didn’t get ignored. I wrote, albeit on other blogging platforms and sometimes, using a pen and paper. I wrote personal thoughts, articles, and even some fiction. In all of this, my blog did suffer and sometimes ended up being completely ignored.

It made me wonder why we blog. Or specifically, it made me wonder why it was important for me to maintain this platform? To express, of course. And this here is my safe haven where I can talk about anything without worrying about many other factors like whether my content matches the theme of the website I am writing for. This is where I talk about whatever catches my admiration or causes me annoyance.

But is it always necessary to put what I feel out there? So, often, I go back to often asking myself this question.

Why do I write?

When I first answered this question, I had a long list of reasons that helped me understand my own motives. The reasons may not have changed much since then but I feel it is important to keep asking myself the same question again. The introspection helps me realign my priorities and bring me back on track when I lose focus or wonder if I am a writer at all.

As I return to blogging, and embark on this new campaign to take my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter (my Alexa rank currently is 15,102,064!) I asked myself the same question again.

And the answer is always the same – Because I have things to say, stories to tell, opinions to express, and in the middle of all that, attempt to become a better version of me. If in that attempt, I change the opinions of a few others, then so be it. If in that attempt, I touch a few hearts, influence some people, and make a difference to even one person, I’d consider my efforts at writing to be a success.

I write because what I express may be what someone else wanted to as well. I write so I may give voice to someone’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions; in the hope that others will read, understand, relate to, and even to draw inspiration from.

Someday, my hopes will become reality and someone somewhere will say, “Hey, that is so amazing and inspiring.”

What are your motives for writing? Do share your reasons with me. Use the box below to leave your comments and feedback.