I write because it is a method of self-exploration. Sometimes the very act of putting my pen to paper and writing out in a stream of consciousness allows me to unearth certain things about myself that I did not know. It allows me to work through whatever thoughts are going through my mind at the time and grants me the opportunity to sort out my emotions.

I write because it is the only way that I gain closure. Everyone has their own way of putting something behind them, and mine is writing. I have tried lots of other methods, but nothing allows me to let go of something quite like writing does.

I write because it helps me connect with people. I have been writing since I was in high school. I’ve written for personal and professional blogs, newspapers, online magazines, journals and online platforms. I never knew how many new people I could meet or even just speak with because of my writing. Being open and vulnerable with my writing has allowed me to make friends with people over the internet and to develop deeper friendships with people that I already know. You never know how sharing your thoughts or experiences on a topic can help someone else. It’s a nice thought to have that maybe one person can be affected in a positive way by something that you have written.

I write because it allows me to express myself. I would say that I am pretty good with words, but I am even better with writing. The majority of the time the things that I want to say never come out right when I say them; however when I am able to write them out, I am able to form my thoughts perfectly. Some people are better at speaking and some people are better are writing. I am the latter. I love the idea of putting my ideas on paper in a rough and tangled form and then molding them and perfecting them until they say exactly what I am trying to express.

I write because it offers the perfect blend of creativity and function. I went to school to be a journalist and have a lot of experience with new writing. However, I also love creative writing and fiction. As a writer, no matter what you are writing, there are rules that you have to follow; there are certain boundaries that you must stay within whether you are writing a short story or a eulogy. I love the idea that you can go crazy with creativity, even when you are writing a serious piece, and yet there is still this common thread that ties all writing together.

I write because I am constantly inspired by other writers. I am an avid reader and am constantly moved and changed by things that other people write. Like I mentioned before, there is something so amazing about reading something another person wrote and being able to connect with them on so many different levels. Not only that, but it’s nice to know that there are other people out there who are feeling the same things that you are feeling. Whether it be personal pieces or works of fiction, I am always being inspired by things that I read.

I write because I love it.