Why Writers Love Writing

Happy St. Valentine’s Day. Happy February 14th.  Happy Friday.  

I figured I would bookend this post with a message in red being that it is Valentine’s Day and all. If you haven’t noticed already, the word love is colour-coded too.

Since February 14th is upon us and I don’t exactly have a guy to write about (what? I’m only sixteen), I figured I’d explain the complicated concept of writing. More accurately, I’ll attempt to simplify why writers love writing so much.

So why are we able to sacrifice studying, socializing, and sleeping for writing? I have graciously provided 5 reasons below. Do you have more?

1. It’s a means to vent.
2. It’s a way to seek revenge.
3. It’s a chance to express yourself.
4. It’s an opportunity to relive your fantasies or tragedies.
5. It’s an outlet to say what you want to say and to be who you want to be.

Obviously, there are many more reasons to love writing. Regardless, I hope every writer will take some time out today (yes, on a Friday) to make love…on paper. By the way, I know that was a horrible joke.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day. Happy February 14th.  Happy Friday.  

Advantages Of Being A Writer

I figured it would make sense to do a follow-up post on the advantages of being a writer since yesterday I did the opposite:

Disadvantages Of Being A Writer

Are you ready to see the light at the end of the tunnel? The wonderful feeling of joy that writing can bring is great and all but there are other perks that come with pursuing this craft.

1. You can work where ever, whenever, and however the heck you feel like it. You’re a morning person? Great. You’re a night owl? Awesome. It doesn’t matter what time of day you are at your best, you decide when you write so why not choose your peak hours? Not many other jobs offer this kind of flexibility so take advantage of that. You could work at home, on the beach, in a coffee shop…really the possibilities are endless. How you write is entirely up to you too. You can outline. You can choose not to outline. You can write the ending first. You could even write the last sentence first. Best of all, these decisions are made by no one else other than you.
2. Writers develop strange habits that only other writers know about. Hehehehehe. Hahahahaha. Don’t ask. If you are a writer, you already know what I mean.
3. When working, you can literally wear nothing and that’s okay. Could you do that if you were working at a law firm? I didn’t think so.
4. There’s a slight possibility you will leave a legacy behind even after you pass away. Remember that famous quote from Benjamin Franklin that went something like if you don’t want to be forgotten as soon as you are dead, write something worth reading or do something worth writing? So what are you waiting for? Pick up the pen and write something worthy of leaving a legacy behind. Few other professions have such a power.
5. Imagine reaching, connecting, and talking to people across the world. It is possible. Influencing people nowadays is much easier with the advance of technology and communication means. See, even the world is on the writer’s side.   
6. What could be better than expressing yourself without being subjected to judgment? A creative outlet for self-expression and creativity is therapeutic. And if you choose to, you don’t have to show your writing to anybody. Avoiding painful torment is always a plus.

Are these perks enough to keep you going? To keep you from quitting or possibly giving up on writing? It does get better. The more you do it. Remember it gets worse before it gets better. And if you give up when everything seems to go wrong you’ll miss out on the day things actually come together perfectly.