I haven't always identified as a writer. I didn't really own the identity until my college years. Studying journalism made me realize that even if I never got paid for it, I wanted to write for the rest of my life. Now writing for my blog and The Odyssey, I feel more like a writer and looking back I can see I've always been a writer, and these might be some reasons you might be a writer too.
1. Since a young age, I've loved to read.
As my mom tells it, one day I was reading a book. She'd been teaching me a bit about phonics, and they had been reading to me since I was born. That day, though, I was looking so intently, she asked me to read it to her. I read it perfectly. I was three.
2. I read everything I could put my hands on.
I read all the Dr. Seuss stories in our house, Nancy Drew Diaries, Junie B. Jones, "Harry Potter." The day I got a library card was one of the best days of my life.
3. I've always had some sort of notebook to scribble down my thoughts.
From hardcover journals to cheap composition books I always have a spare book to write my thoughts into.
4. Back to school shopping for supplies was always my favorite.
Forget new clothes. My favorite thing was always the fresh notebooks and new pens. Remember when Lisa Frank everything was all the rage?
5. I remember history with stories.
I'm not big on memorizing dates for history, what I remember are stories about people. I don't remember what year Pocahontas was born or when she died. But I do remember that the Disney movie is so inaccurate. She was forced into Christianity, was married as a teenager, and died on the voyage back to America, when all she wanted was to return home.
6. I remember things better when I write them down.
There is something about how my brain is wired. Tell me something important, without me writing it down—it never existed. If I write it down, not only will I remember it, I might not even have to reference what I wrote down the action of writing helps me to remember better.
7. I read bad writing and know I can do better.
I start not just thinking that the writing was poor, but I start thinking how can I improve this. When I spend more time reading than editing, I realize maybe I could be doing something better with my time. Perhaps writing a more interesting article/engaging story.
8. I still love it.
Even though I'm not a well established writer (yet), the joy of writing outweighs the moments when I don't think I have anything more to say. I just love the moment of putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard and imagining all the possibilities. My voice might not resonate with everyone, but putting my voice to paper still means so much to me.
