You read that right.
Today, I’m not asking for 1000 words of fiction.
I’m asking for a 1000 word essay (meaning, blog post).
And I want it on this subject:
WHY I WRITE.
That’s it. I wanna know why you write. What it is that makes you want to tell stories and write them down. What drives you? Something biographical? Something internal? Dig deep. Be thoughtful. Write it out like the bad-ass that you know you are.
The standard rules apply, otherwise:
Write it at your online space. Drop a link to it here in the comments.
Due in one week: 7/31.
Your time is now: tell us why you write.
Scott A. Bullard (@writingbull) says:
Why, oh why, couldn’t I just write something normal? Because I write… http://scottabullard.blogspot.com/2015/07/why-i-write.html
July 25, 2015 — 8:17 PM
Scott A. Bullard (@writingbull) says:
Sorry. Please disregard my post. My Fiction Brain is being rather bossy lately.
July 25, 2015 — 8:39 PM
Indigo Spider says:
Never participated before, so, yeah, here’s mine: https://indigospider.wordpress.com/2015/07/25/flash-writing-challenge-why-i-write/
July 25, 2015 — 8:48 PM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
Why I Write. https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2015/07/25/why-i-write/
July 25, 2015 — 8:56 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
I can relate to a great deal of this. Well put.
July 27, 2015 — 1:42 PM
rowyn says:
So I did take your challenge and I wrote an essay answering your question but I can’t post a link to it here because I don’t have an online space, website, blog or even Facebook (I know and yes it is because I am a dinosaur and if you ask me nice I might even tell you what happened to all the others). But I did want to say thank you for issuing the challenge. I’ve been in this weird mental funk for nearly a month now during which time I’ve written nothing. This challenge made me think about why I write and in a way delivered a swift kick up the ass that I so desperately needed. More importantly, it got me writing again. So I wanted to take a moment to say thank you, thank you, thank you. And now I’m going to go write something silly.
July 25, 2015 — 9:29 PM
innerouterawkward says:
I know what happened to at least one tiny surviving dinosaur… She’s a green cheek conure named Chloe, here to wrought destruction on all that she surveys.
Ahem… So glad you’re writing! Especially silly things.
July 27, 2015 — 3:35 PM
madeleinedeste says:
A little superficial – I could have gone deeper. But’s my crack at ‘Why I write”. It could have been a five word blog post.
https://madeleinedeste.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/why-i-write-a-response/
July 25, 2015 — 10:05 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
I wouldn’t say it was superficial so much as practical-as-opposed-to-romantic. I have to beat myself with the “stop thinking this should be easy and that you’ll nail it in one take” stick every single day. I ought to pin this one up in my work area as a reminder not to just do the writing, but the other work that goes along with it.
July 27, 2015 — 1:37 PM
Chris v says:
My affair with apostraphes and comma’s: AKA, why I write. I’m not sure it’s 1000 words, but it is what it is.
http://vansoolenartoflife.blogspot.com/2015/07/my-affair-with-apostraphes-and-commas.html
July 25, 2015 — 11:11 PM
rhythmandcrime says:
Why do I write…I am still not sure. However, I take a stab at figuring that out here…
https://rhythmandcrime.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/why-i-write-words-create-worlds/
July 26, 2015 — 1:12 AM
Ridley Kemp says:
It’s probably a good thing, from time to time, to remind yourself why you’re doing it:
http://www.ridleykemp.com/journal/2015/7/26/why-i-write
July 26, 2015 — 2:40 AM
Scott A. Bullard (@writingbull) says:
Great response. I have East of Eden but never read it. I’ll be adding it to list. Thanks.
July 27, 2015 — 5:53 PM
avharris says:
My first post here.
https://rightingishard.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/why-i-write/
July 26, 2015 — 4:33 AM
john freeter says:
Validation, mostly. Everything else just sort of happens.
July 26, 2015 — 4:55 AM
Scott A. Bullard (@writingbull) says:
I did it right this time, I promise. http://scottabullard.blogspot.com/2015/07/writing-laughing-and-paying-bills.html
July 26, 2015 — 10:15 AM
C R Smith says:
My offering into the madness of why I write
https://moralitypuzzle.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/why-i-write-challenge/
July 26, 2015 — 10:39 AM
Libby says:
Why do I write? http://libbyscribbles.com/2015/07/26/why-do-i-write/
July 26, 2015 — 10:57 AM
the oncoming spork says:
Here’s mine: https://apostrophobic.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/the-why-of-it/
July 26, 2015 — 11:37 AM
Katherine G says:
Sometimes my browser does inexplicable things and then my reply gets stuck on some post I’m not actually replying to, so for the sake of clarity, this is in response to the oncoming spork’s link:
Wow, Seriously awesome manifesto. The best thing I’ve read in a while, and also exactly what I needed to read right now. . KEEP WRITING, SPORK, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
Though I need mental bleach for that Deadpool image, thanks much. 🙂
July 27, 2015 — 2:28 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Fabulous! I related like heck to every word of it. I’m now even more worried that mine is gonna make me sound like a tool by comparison, but hey – them’s the breaks. I’m glad you’re driving that ship now – and looking forward to booking tickets for the first ride 🙂
July 30, 2015 — 7:52 AM
Kylie says:
Loved this post! Maybe it was the Deadpool erotica, maybe it was the sarcastic honesty (which is the best kind), but this was a really great read.
July 31, 2015 — 3:22 AM
Joe Turner says:
Well, here it is. Great challenge Chuck.
https://joetblogs.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/why-i-write/
July 26, 2015 — 2:53 PM
curtisedmonds says:
This is my contribution: http://www.scaryhippopotamus.com/why-i-write/
Excerpt:
“I have had very, very little success in my career as a writer. I’ve written two novels and one short story collection, and they have done very well for a self-published author, which is like being the prettiest cow in the slaughterhouse. I’m not sure, from day to day, whether I am going to keep trying or not. But I know why I want to try, which is pure unadulterated egomania.”
July 26, 2015 — 3:53 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Well, THAT sums it up pretty well!
I’m posting mine anyway.
July 28, 2015 — 8:36 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Story Apaches – what a great term! I know the feeling well. And I love your honesty too.
Y’know, I think your idea about the detective could work if you put some kind of caveat on his paranormal ability to find things. How about if it only worked if he felt no emotional connection to the person whose ‘thing’ he was trying to find? (That would fit in with his reclusive and alcoholic tendencies.) Then one day someone comes in asking for his help that, inexplicably (until plot thingy) he DOES connect with emotionally – despite his best efforts to fight it. That might tick him off, that now his powers are failing him, so he might take on the case just to prove to himself that he solve it with just good old-fashioned deduction instead… It’s just a thought, and if I’m sticking my nose in where it’s not wanted I apologise and it wasn’t my intention.
July 30, 2015 — 8:09 AM
tyrovogel says:
Can’t do anything else. Grating cheese doesn’t count.
Wish I had the time to write a 1,000 words expanded answer. Maybe when I’m rich and famous, or at least when I’ll have no deadlines that have passed a week ago (HA!).
As for now, a haiku:
why do I write this
when the deadline came and passed
Chuck, thank you so much
July 26, 2015 — 4:48 PM
Joe Turner says:
Previous comment is awaiting moderation *shrugs*
https://joetblogs.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/why-i-write/
July 26, 2015 — 5:05 PM
M.A. Kropp says:
My essay:
https://makropp.wordpress.com/why-i-write/
July 26, 2015 — 6:53 PM
RL Black says:
Here’s mine:
http://rlblack.blogspot.com/2015/07/who-i-write.html
July 26, 2015 — 10:56 PM
myzania3350 says:
Mine here: https://myzania3350.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/
July 27, 2015 — 12:04 AM
joshuamneff says:
This was painful and invigorating to write:
http://www.goblin-cartoons.com/2015/07/27/the-kid-with-the-candlestick-in-the-colosseum-of-dreams/
July 27, 2015 — 7:45 AM
addy says:
here be my reason
https://adamskistoryblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/
love seeing all the other reasons people write. Great challenge Chuck!
July 27, 2015 — 9:35 AM
Pavowski says:
My reason, as best I can describe it: http://accidentallyinspired.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/
July 27, 2015 — 9:56 AM
SamKD says:
Mine:
http://samkdsonlinepace.blogspot.com/#!/2015/07/why-i-write.html
July 27, 2015 — 11:27 AM
Stephan says:
Why I write: http://endlessrealms.org/2011/06/why-i-write/
July 27, 2015 — 11:28 AM
Mark Gardner says:
I threw down some truth at http://article94.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/
July 27, 2015 — 11:46 AM
Ashlee says:
Here’s mine, though it seems a little dark on re-reading!
http://cubiclemonster.weebly.com/
July 27, 2015 — 12:16 PM
Paul Stephenson (@PRSBooks) says:
Stumbles in late, apologises profusely, stumbles into wardrobe, is sick in plant pot….
http://paulstephensonbooks.com/blog/2015/7/27/why-i-write
July 27, 2015 — 12:46 PM
innerouterawkward says:
A bit short, but here you go!
https://innerouterawkward.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/
July 27, 2015 — 2:05 PM
theotaylorr says:
I Write Because it Saved My Life: http://thetheotaylor.com/2015/07/27/i-write-because-it-saved-my-life/
July 27, 2015 — 2:21 PM
Sheila says:
Just under the deadline, hospital admission notwithstanding.Thanks for the opportunity to share. http://cowpasturechronicles.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/
July 27, 2015 — 3:28 PM
innerouterawkward says:
Unsure about moderation, so one more try just in case:
https://innerouterawkward.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/
Apologizes for the dramatic tone. I actually answered the question while writing the essay.
July 27, 2015 — 3:39 PM
innerouterawkward says:
Sorry for the double post >_<
July 28, 2015 — 12:41 PM
musicandsneakers says:
https://writingwhiningandwit.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/why-i-write/ This is my first response to one of these. *eats non-existent fingernails.*
July 27, 2015 — 8:26 PM
peterjam says:
I had to add a word to the title to reflect my current situation. I hope someone gets something out of it, and I apologize in advance for any grammatical mistakes, as you can see, english is not my native language. Here it is: https://peterjam.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/why-i-dont-write/
July 27, 2015 — 8:59 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Peterjam, come here – you need a big virtual hug right now!
First off, if you did make any mistakes (and I’m pretty sure you didn’t) I didn’t notice them. I was too busy getting swept up in the emotion of what you were saying – which is something that happens when I read a GREAT piece of writing. You know what? I don’t think anything you wrote was stupid or laughable. We’ve all been where you’re at with that post. Heck, some days I just have to sit down in front of my keyboard and fire up my latest piece of writing to feel like that. And I know it’s not as simple as some bouncy little happyfish saying “Oh, you just gotta feel the fear and do it anyway, what’s the worst that could happen, think positive…” *plays whalesong cd and starts chanting*
When you worry about not being ‘good enough’ – is it possible you’re setting the bar too high? What does ‘good enough’ mean to you? Writing a ‘Bestseller’? Making enough money to quit your day job and become a full-time writer? Becoming an author lots of people have heard of? Y’know, none of those things are necessary to earn yourself the right to be A Proper Writer. I’ve read books by authors who cheerfully admit that the money they’ve made from that book would just about buy them a three-course meal in a posh restaurant. I still loved their book and have tremendous respect and admiration for that author, as do many of the other people who also bought it and loved it.
It’s a big old ocean out there. You don’t have to be a big fish to survive and thrive – in fact, many of the little ones are the prettiest. 🙂
July 29, 2015 — 11:50 AM
peterjam says:
Wow, that’s the nicest thing anyone has said about my writing, thanks a lot. Maybe I am setting the bar too high, I guess I just have to be consistent and keep trying.
Thanks for your kind words.
July 30, 2015 — 5:06 PM
Paz Spera says:
Your post is completely relatable, I think everyone who has thought of writing has had the same fears. Fear will consume you entirely if you let it. But you can stop it. It really does go away.
Something that has helped me overcome this idea of not being good enough (which we all feel at some point) is to try to write a bit everyday. Just by putting the words down you’re learning. The focus should be to learn not to do something right. We’re all always learning and it’s a pretty good feeling, we’re always seeing something new.
And there’s nothing wrong with your writing. English is also not my first language and it doesn’t matter. The stories will be there just the same. Take care!
July 29, 2015 — 6:04 PM
peterjam says:
Yeah, I guess you’re right, we just have to keep trying, even if it’s little by little. I’m gonna try to to participate in every flash fiction challenge for a start, see how that goes.
Thanks.
July 30, 2015 — 5:07 PM
Doug Daniel says:
You did fine. Which is impressive, as English isn’t a forgiving tongue even for native speakers.
Fear is normal. Overcoming it is the writer’s first task. We are all in the same boat.
Here’s a book I recommend for everyone–
http://www.amazon.com/The-Courage-Write-Writers-Transcend/dp/0805074678
(although that’s the US Amazon, you might have access whatever Amazon site is appropriate for your location).
Good luck.
July 30, 2015 — 8:54 AM
Anna says:
I understand where you’re coming from. English isn’t my first language, either. I had these same concerns, but then I decided to write anyway. I didn’t see any mistakes, or even clumsy phrases, in your essay, by the way, and I honestly wouldn’t have known that you’re not a native from this, but if you’re worried, I thought I’d share a few things that helped me.
One thing I did was sign up for an online grammar course aimed at native speakers at Writer’s Digest University. It’s very different from the way they teach English as a second language, and I found it very helpful. I still refer to the materials we got from time to time. Another thing that I’d recommend is joining an online workshop. I’m at Critters.org, a sci-fi/fantasy one. You send in your stories and you get critiques from super nice writerly people from all over the world who are happy to point out any problems with grammar and punctuation in addition to the feedback on story structure, characters etc. You have to do critiques, too, of course, but that’s a great way to learn. Maybe I’ll see you there? Oh, and it’s free and password-protected, so the stories aren’t considered ‘published’ if you send them in.
July 31, 2015 — 4:03 AM
chyangela says:
Peterjam, I love the fact that you can write what I feel! I would never have guessed you are not a native english speaker and, I wish I could write something that ‘error-less,’ as a native english speaker.
I am giving this advice somewhat ‘tongue-in-cheek’ because I need to do it myself: 1) Go to http://www.wordpress.com and open an account, 2) Set a writing goal of how many words/pages/paragraphs you will write per day on something you like, 3) Write it BUT save it as a draft, 4) Do this every day for 30 days.
Choose a subject for a story – write (2 above) on that subject/story for 30 days and save it as a draft. Then try to edit the ‘good stuff’ into a story over the next 30 days, adding and deleting whatever comes to mind. If you want to let people see it, send it to your ‘least critical’ friend and ask them what they like or don’t like about this article you either ‘came across’ or wrote. Otherwise, save it as a draft and lather/rinse/repeat until you feel confident enough to publish something.
My humble opinion is that you think your writing should be great but even Stephen King was not great in the beginning.
August 1, 2015 — 12:40 PM
Tina Hammond says:
Boy, did this question change the course of my career as a writer, or what? Every author should ask themselves this question at least once a year. Thanks Chuck. https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/8781566-taking-a-break
July 27, 2015 — 9:42 PM
Amanda Helms says:
This got me to post to my blog again after way too long. Thanks!
http://amandahelms.com/2015/07/27/why-i-persist-in-writing/
July 27, 2015 — 9:56 PM
T Hammond says:
Loved your response Amanda.
July 28, 2015 — 11:00 AM
Kayli McKenzie says:
So, first time here, and here you go: http://superfruit-cake.tumblr.com/post/125251837616
July 28, 2015 — 7:57 AM
Eve says:
Well hi, I’m sorta new here and really liking what I’ve seen so far! I wrote something too:
http://moonexport.blogspot.fi/2015/07/why-i-write.html
July 28, 2015 — 9:23 AM