Writers are vastly misunderstood. We are romanticized, admired, mocked and hated. I think it is difficult for people to understand what it is like to be a writer unless you are one. I get asked a lot of questions about what it is like to be a writer. Things I don't think twice about or never considered abnormal behavior seem to puzzle many people. I am dedicating this article to answering just a few of the questions I am frequently asked in hopes of helping you better understand the writer(s) in your life whom you love.

1. Why don't you let people read your writing?

I was chatting with a friend of my father's recently, who explained to me that his sister-in-law had incredible writing abilities but refused to ever let anyone read her work. He even told me that he read a story she had written without her knowledge and upon raving to her about how wonderful it was, she would not speak to him for weeks. He asked me to weigh in on why this could have possibly upset her. "You're a writer, why would you write something if you didn't want others to read it?"

Imagine your bare naked thoughts up on a pedestal. Imagine your raw emotions, the innermost workings of your being, on display - everyone gathered around them, nodding in admiration or shaking their heads with distaste. Imagine them mulling over the fruit of your soul, mumbling, "it's okay" or "it's good, not great." Imagine everyone ripping them apart and molesting them because they think they are theirs to love or trample on. Writers often draw from deep within themselves to pour into their writing because it is genuine and familiar. To be able to share these reflections with others requires much courage and vulnerability.

2. Then why do you write at all?

We write because we need to- it is our first instinct. Something within us drives us to write. Speaking from experience, I often feel a sort of anxiety or restlessness that does not disappear until I pour my heart out into my writing. It makes it difficult to focus, concentrate or sleep. It is similar to violently crying after emotions have been building up for a long period of time. It is true that a majority of my writing has never seen a set of eyes aside from my own. Perhaps most of it never will, but that does not make it less important to me.

3. How do you come up with ideas?

I don't know. I have sort of a built-in filter- my brain is constantly sorting through information, deciding whether it is worthy of writing about or whether I should just discard it. All I can say is that my best writing comes to me; I don't seek it out.

4. Is this going to end up in one of your articles or a story you'll write?

Possibly, but probably not. People often try to be helpful in trying to give me ideas to write about, but most of what I consider interesting may seem dull to others. If you say something funny and ask me to include it in my writing, I probably won't though.

5. How do you find the time to write?

I don't find it; I make it. When you love something with every ounce of your being, you will make time for it. Trust me. That being said, writing is also a discipline. I don't always feel like writing. Sometimes I'm tired and would much rather be doing something else. Sometimes the words just don't come. I write anyways.

6. What do you love the most about writing?

The best feeling in the world to me is when I finally do take the leap and let someone read what I've written, and they end up loving it. I can vividly remember every single time someone has come to me saying that my writing has inspired them or that they've really connected with it. That is the best feeling in the world.