Motivation

“Why do you write?” I recently asked the students enrolled in one of my writing classes.

They stared at me.

I stared at them, struggling against the smile that threatened.

Students shifted in their desks, heads dropped, and finally one then another began to answer as they realized there was no single right answer.

“I just like to write,” one said.

“Writing helps me deal with things in my life,” another answered.

“I feel like I have stories I want to share with others,” someone else ventured.

As my students’ answers indicate, our reasons for writing are as diverse as we are. At times, we write to communicate with others or to deal with difficult emotions. Sometimes, we write for personal understanding, catharsis, or simply because we like doing it.

Whatever your reason, whether your goal is to convey a message, express your emotions, or leave a legacy, find what motivates you . . . and write.

Audience. Whether you’re composing a poem, short story, novel, or memoir, you have a tremendous responsibility to your readers. (No pressure, right?) They want to hear what you have to say; so when you’re tempted to believe your writing has no relevance and put it on the backburner, remember, there are those waiting to hear from you. No one else can communicate in the exactly the same way you can.

Catharsis. Oftentimes, I find that writing helps me make sense of my emotions or work through difficult situations in my life. Something about seeing my concerns on the page brings understanding and helps me deal with pain and frustration. Working through muddled emotions can be a powerful motivation.

Memorial. Writing helps us chronicle the past and leave a legacy for future generations. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were instructed to leave a pile of stones as a memorial as they were about to end their journey through the wilderness and enter the Promised Land. The stones were a reminder not only that they had passed through a given land, but also that God had been faithful to them no matter what they encountered on the journey.

Writing can serve the same purpose. As we chronicle personal and family history or the changes in our society, our writing becomes a memorial for future generations that we existed and that God was faithful to us in every circumstance of life. I want my son to know the heritage of hardworking, committed people in his family. To understand that when all else fails, God will stand with him. And yes, I will tell him the stories that have been passed down to me, but my writing will give him a concrete memorial of those who’ve come before him and encouragement that he, too, can face the challenges life throws his way.

So when writing feels like a burden and you can’t find the motivation to put pen to paper (or more accurately fingertips to keyboard), remember all the good reasons why we write. Let your writing provide catharsis, establish a concrete legacy, or communicate to your readers a message they want and need to hear.

--Cheryl