Why do I write? and the “Seed of Light” Award

Lately there have been a lot of writers posting their declarations of why they write on their blogs and other social media.  Not to be one to shun trends, I think it’s a splendid idea to pin down the real reasons that motivate me to write and create, especially when I could be doing other things.

Why Do I Write?

Writing is both freedom and bondage.  It is freedom because with it I can explore new ideas, worlds, and characters.  I can travel to places that only exist in my mind.  While creating stories I have the chance to examine the smallest details of different cultures and ideals to tease out fragments that will fit into the worlds I create.

Writing is also bondage.  Once taken with an idea my mind won’t let it go until it is captured in words.  Every minute of the day there is something related to writing running through my mind.  In the morning it might be how to describe the sensation of falling; at lunch, ideas for a new short story; while falling asleep, what the motivations are behind a new character.  In this, having writing as a hobby is escapism from an otherwise frustrating life of laundry, dishes, and all the other household drudgeries that must be done.

Writing brings a sense of accomplishment. There’s nothing quite like finishing a goal, holding a finished work in my hands, and saying I did this.  Every completed chapter, post, short story, contest entry, is a little badge of validation.

Writing brings recognition.  Writing brings friends.  Writing brings an opportunity to grow.  Writing brings chances to help others learn and grow.  Writing is community.  Writers are fascinating people.

Why do you write?

Hey, I got a blog award!  

The awesome writer over at The Seeker nominated me among many others to receive several of the awards that came there way, here’s a huge thanks to them.  Go check out their blog and see what they are up to!

As promised, here are my seven questions.

1.  What is your favorite book? Hard call, there are so many for so many different reasons!  If I had to name one it would be The Eight by Kathrine Neville.

2.  What are you currently working on? I’m in the dead center of a massive revision of my first book.  I learned so much about the process of writing novel length fiction the first time around that I’ve had to fix and rewrite almost a third of what I’d done before.

3.  Who is your biggest inspiration? Among writers, it’s the other mommy writers who have managed to survive this process and care for a family at the same time.  If they can do it, so can it.  Among my genre, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, and Terry Prachett.

4.  Describe where you do your work.  I have a small desk in my room that’s really easy to slip away to when the kids aren’t looking.  At any given time there is a stack of books and papers on one side and a snack on the other.  I have two figurines below my screen, a giraffe and a monkey.  The giraffe is a reminder that no one goes anywhere without sticking their neck out.  The monkey sits cross legged with his hands out to hold a pen, but it looks almost as if he’s saying, “How can I serve you today?”

5. What do you do for fun?  Usually a quiet night with my hubby and a favorite TV show.  We do lots of fun stuff with the kids as well.

6. What’s your favorite treat? Brownies.  There’s something about chocolaty chewy brownies that wins my heart.  I can’t have a pan of them in the house or I’ll eat them all in one day!

7. What’s the best advice you’d give to a writer starting out? Don’t give up. At times it gets really tough.  The story doesn’t come together, the critique comes back bad, the review goes sour.  It’s ok.  Every lesson learned makes you that much stronger and that much better.

I nominate the following blogs to receive this award –

Lois Eighmy

“Don’t Read” by Ensis

Nature Mom

Talinorfali

WriterMummy

THE RULES:

1.     Display the award logo on your blog.

2.     Link back to the person who nominated you.

3.     Answer 7 questions.

4.     Nominate ( no limit of nominations) other bloggers for this award and link back to them.

5.     Notify those bloggers of the award requirements.

Happy Writing!