October 20th is the National Day on Writing. This is a part of the National Writing Project, which works toward "improving writing and learning in the nation's schools." On this day everyone should share why they write with the hashtag #WhyIWrite. Here is why I write:

I write because I have a story to tell.

I write because my mind is bursting with thoughts and ideas, but nobody listens. I write when it seems as though nobody cares to hear what I have to say or when there isn't anybody around to listen. I write in hopes that someday someone will listen.

I write to get down those late night thoughts. All of the "what if" questions that pop up at night. The positive and negative events of my day. The impossible questions. The hypothetical questions. I write to free my mind.

I write to find my voice. I write to organize all of the thoughts running around in my head into something that makes sense. I write to figure out what I want to say, how to say it, and to determine how I truly feel about a situation.

I write because it gives me a chance. It gives me the chance to speak when the opportunity to verbalize my opinions isn't available, or when verbalizing my thoughts is too difficult. It gives me a voice when talking isn't an option. I write because I don't want to forget. I write because some memories are too precious to risk losing. I write so that many years from now I can look back and remember all of the great moments. I write because the thought of forgetting memories close to my heart terrifies me.

I write to create. I write with aspirations of being published. I write to let my creativity run free. I write when feelings, whether they be good or bad, are too intense to contain. I write when I have something to share, but there is no one to share with. I write to connect with others. I write because there is always someone out there that can relate. I write to show them they aren't alone.

I write to keep myself sane and to share my opinions with the world in hopes to inspire others to do the same.