Why I Write.

Why do you write?

That question has been asked of me a few times since I started in my undergraduate program. While I am done now I still occasionally get the question but it is usually phrased, 

what do you want to write?

Who do I want to write like?

Where do I write the best?

When did you decide to become a writer?

I feel like people are judging me for my choice in degree. I never went to school to become someone I went to school to learn something. So when people ask these questions I feel like I am on the spot. Why do I need to answer your probing questions about this very personal thing in my life? Yet is it so much to ask that I answer these questions? I ask the same questions of my friends when they talk about their degrees. Yet this feels different, this feels like an invasion of privacy.

So why do I write? Who do I want to emulate? When did I decide to become a writer? I write because I like to share stories with my friends and family. I don’t want to emulate anyone I want my voice to speak for itself. I decide to become a writer when I decided that I wanted to share my stories. Did I know that meant writing, no. In fact, I started my undergraduate degree in theater. I thought I would express my stories on stage. I had a desire to be a detective on Law & Order. Then my dream was crushed by some TV executive when he cancelled my dream after 20 years.

So, in 2010 I had to change my focus on life and if I couldn’t be a detective on Law & Order then I guess I would have to find a new career. Some people told me to just aim for SVU or Criminal Intent but I want to walk in the shoes of Jerry Orbach. I wanted to match wits with Sam Waterston. I wanted to walk the halls of the original. I wanted to be a real part of American history.

My life needed a new direction and I needed a new way to share my stories. I could be a stand-up comic, no. The idea of standing on stage and getting real time feedback about my stories seems a little cruel. Plus, I don’t have the time to go to comedy clubs every week.

As an avid reader I felt that of course I should have gone down the path or writer long before. I love reading and I love a good story so why not write for a living. Why not spread my stories and my joy through the written word? Why not write the next Jurassic Park? Why not be the next StephenKing? Why not write, write, write? I write because I need to spread joy to the world. I need people to enjoy my stories. I need people to think about the world in a different way.

Why do YOU write?