Writers Are Not Narcissistic
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

I Asked 22 Writers Why They Write So You Can Stop Asking If It's For Attention

All writers have their reasons for writing and no, it's not because we're narcissistic.

68
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1516182823370-7a5fa91445c3?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=750&q=80
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1516182823370-7a5fa91445c3?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=750&q=80

When articles go viral, often times people are immediately accused of writing it for attention. Using whatever platform they have to be noticed or to be heard. I guarantee when you scroll through the comments, you'll find it. You'll find one comment that calls the author incompetent, narcissistic, etc.

And then there are times where we announce we want to pursue careers in writing. On top of being attention-seekers, we're lazy, unambitious.

So, instead of waiting for you to accuse us of anything else. I asked 22 writers why they write and here's what they had to say!

1. "So that my head won't explode!" - Female, 22

thumbs.gfycat.com

2. "I write to let people know what’s really going on in my head because otherwise, I’m too quiet." - Female, 23

dd2d9j2i66w9u.cloudfront.net

3. "Well, it's not a for sure pay-the-bills kind of income so I guess I must really enjoy it." - Male, 25

Giphy

4. "I have always struggled with speaking and conveying what my feelings and thoughts are verbally due to my symptoms from dyslexia. I write because it offers a platform that allows me to coherently convey what I want to say verbally but on paper." -Female, 20

thisislarissaviegas.files.wordpress.com

5. "I want to grow as a person spiritually, intellectually, and in many other ways. I think writing is a very effective means to grow." - Male, 19

media1.tenor.com

6. "I write because I can't help myself." - Female, 22

assets.rbl.ms

7. "I feel like I'm called to be a storyteller. Since the beginning of time, humans have connected through stories, the Bible being the biggest and greatest story of all time! History itself is a big story that affects us all. We all connect through other people, other worlds, and other life circumstances. So I love to write stories. That's why I chose to write anything these days. I love it!" - Female, 26

thumbs.gfycat.com

8. "So that I don't forget anything." - Male, 23

media.giphy.com

9. "I write because I'm an internal processor and it helps me to get my words out when it's not always easy to verbally process my thoughts. I also like being able to go back and see how I've grown." - Female, 26

thumbs.gfycat.com

10. "I think plenty of young guys tend to think reading and writing are not masculine skill sets, so I'm kinda pushing against that." - Male, 19

images.hellogiggles.com

11. "I like reading stories, but sometimes I think I can write something a little better." -Female, 19

66.media.tumblr.com

12. "To be honest, I've never been good at writing in general, but I write to perfect my skills. It's a very beneficial skill to have." - Male, 19

asexblogofonesown.files.wordpress.com

13. "Because on bad days, I have to live vicariously through other people. Even if they're my own fictional characters." - Male, 28

66.media.tumblr.com

14. "To let out emotion and to tell people's stories." - Female, 36

thumbs.gfycat.com

15. "Writing takes the pressure off. I write because i have trouble getting my feelings and words out when speaking to people. But writing helps me focus on saying what I mean and saying it beautifully." - Female, 22

66.media.tumblr.com

16. "Because I have a voice that matters." - Male, 32

media.giphy.com

17. "I didn't know that writing had such a strong community until I started doing it myself. I started because I enjoyed it, but I've continued because it helped me find my people. My people who encouraged me to keep going." - Female, 23

media0.giphy.com

18. "I'm never bored of it. Even though writer's block is the most frustrating thing known to man, it's a problem I get to solve." - Male, 29

theinspirationlady.com

19. "Because Jesus." - Female, 23

www.pfgeeks.com

20. "I don't think anyone understands how much healing can be done through writing. I think the first thing I wrote voluntarily was a tribute to my grandma when she passed some years ago and it wasn't easy, but writing it took me on a journey." - Female, 27

media.giphy.com

21. "Here's the thing, English class stunted my love for writing for awhile. I hated grammar and stuff. But when I realized that as an author I could have my own style, I learned more about myself in my writing that I ever did doing anything else." - Male, 23

media1.popsugar-assets.com

22. "A lot of people write about a lot of different things. I write to speak kindness into the world of writing that's not always there." - Female, 21

media.giphy.com

And funny enough, none of these answers said that I need attention or I'm too lazy to do anything else with my life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51476
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33045
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956037
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180985
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments