Don’t you just LOVE the quote that I used as the title of this post? I find that it just says so much. In fact, it summarizes everything that I am about to talk about in this post.
I have read a number of blog posts lately on how to blog effectively which made me wonder why I actually do it.
The truth is that according to the “experts” and celebrity rock star bloggers I am doing it all wrong.
My blog posts are too long and there are no pictures. Also, I am all about the me me me (I will admit that I am vain sometimes) and I do not have a “pretty” blog.
I have thought about this for a few days and have come to a some conclusions about WHY I write/blog:
I write firstly because I love words. For me there is nothing more beautiful than words strung together on a computer screen or in a book or on any piece of paper. Remember in this post where I mentioned having a notebook for every occasion? Well, I even have a word journal where I record all new words that I pick up during the course of my day (whether they are proper words or slang or made up words). I also make notes on the actual definition as well as the context that they can be used in. I once told my DH that I see words (specifically my written words) like my other boyfriend or something. The words that I write don’t judge me. They don’t backchat me. They don’t take advantage of me in any way. They don’t make me feel less than. Because when I write I am in control of the words and I own them. Not the other way around.
I write because I must. It’s like the words just bubble up (the word that comes to mind is effervescence – almost like gas bubbling out of a bottle) and I simply MUST get them out or my brain will explode. Even when I wasn’t blogging I was actively writing. It’s like I just have to get some stuff out of my system and this is the most effective way to do it. I find that I am true to myself when I write. There is absolutely no pretence and I don’t have to hide who I am. I actually prefer it to therapy. I LOVE talking too but it can be so tiring sometimes. Circles and all that.
I write because it provides me with a kind of yardstick to see how far I’ve come over a period of time. I love looking back on old posts.
I write because for me it is the only way to express myself without getting the words and tone wrong. I can delete and edit and delete and edit until I achieve the desired effect.
I write because it helps me to grow. Spiritually. Intellectually. Emotionally. Quite simply, if I didn’t write I would go Milly. (btw…this is a new term I picked up in the office. Milly = MAD. Don’t you just love how much fun one can have with words)?
I write because it is one of the few things in life that provides me with much pleasure and tremendous joy. Hence the title of this post.
I know that my grammar is not always perfect.
I know that I tend to waffle a lot – my posts are always going to be long because I have lots to say and I am actually OK with this.
I know that I don’t put pictures on this blog. I used to have a picture-a-day blog btw but it is just became too much work to take pics, download, upload etc. It stopped being fun because it became all about the deadline and the technicalities. I don’t currently do pictures – mainly out of pure laziness. This may change in the future. I know that this blog is not “pretty”. For the moment it is clean and uncluttered and this works for me though this will probably also change at some point. I have just been too lazy to spend time figuring it out.
I know that I LOVE comments. It feels like I am getting a hug. I have also accepted that I won’t necessarily get many comments (PLEASE don’t stop commenting though) because I don’t have the time or capacity to comment on every single blog I read and I also don’t publicise this blog i.e. it is not linked to FB or Twitter. The Twitter thing may or may not change. I’m still deciding on that.
I do write a lot more than I choose to publish. Some pieces will never make it to this space, others might appear here at some point.
If I were to summarise EXACTLY why I write using only one word, I would use the word “ME”. I do it for me and for no one else. What exactly would be the point of me doing it for others if I wasn’t being paid to do it?
Why do you write? Who do you blog for? Do you keep your readers in mind all the time? Is it for an audience? Is it your therapy? Is it your sanity? Is it for you?
