1. It’s good for your brain.
The ability to say things correctly and in a manner that is
understood by the reader is a bedrock skill of an educated person. Not just for
someone who makes his/her living writing, but for anyone in any field. The
benefits accrued to the brain and mind by learning to express ideas clearly in
the confines of a grammatical structure are invaluable. In the same way a brisk walk or an aerobic
workout makes your body feel good, using your mind to organize and express
thoughts makes your brain feel good. You get a ‘brain exercise high’.
2. It’s good for your self.
Writing
is a way to express who you are. We all need to be heard. It's essential to
happiness to know that what we think and feel is important to at least a few
other people. Expressing your thoughts and having someone listen is the
antidote to loneliness. People choose from a myriad of ways to express
themselves. Some sing, dance or act. Some paint or sculpt. The arts are a
uniquely human pursuit. So join in. Express your humanity.
3. You know some
great stories.
Some of them have been
circling around in your head for a while. They might be things that happened to
you, a family member, a friend, or someone in your town. Recently I read a
story in a Sunday newspaper about a woman’s struggle to overcome being born on
the wrong side of town as a member of a cultural minority. The way she handled
the challenges she faced lit up all the lights for me. I’ve tucked it away for
future work. If you have a writer inside you, you’ve likely reacted to a story
or two in the same way.
4. You’ve always
wanted to write.
If this is you, I
commiserate. Do you remember how old you were when you decided to write stories
for other people to read? I was eleven. Any writer will tell you they write
because they have to. They’re not happy if they’re not writing. It’s the same
as people who sing, dance, paint, or play an instrument. For a writer, the act
of storytelling is a compulsion. Why deny it?
What kind of stories
do you want to write? Do you have a great spy novel percolating in your head?
Are you a fan of historical fiction? What about a great coming-of-age story?
Any of these ideas can be the foundation of a wonderful adventure. Start
scribbling down your ideas and get going on your first novel. Take the advice
of William Wordsworth, who said “Fill your paper with the breathings of your
heart.”
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