Why We Write

Recently I wrote about things we really like, and how our particular “likes” identify us as individuals. It seemed to be going fine until I tried to use my theory as a tool to understanding others by “what they liked.” Big mistake. It simply doesn’t work.

But that kicked off another midnight train of thought. It occurred that when I started writing that piece about things we really like, I was subconsciously wanting to add what I really like! And that probably came from a fairly human (and self-centered) need to be understood by others.

And that, for me anyway, demands a better, clearer understanding of what writing is all about in the first place.  For this exercise I have, for you, two versions, two answers to the question, “Why Do We Write?” First –

The Short Version (mine)

I feel we write to communicate to others some thoughts and feelings we have and want to share somehow. Writing fills that need, that need to reach out and hope that someone else will understand, will commiserate, will appreciate. The writing and subsequent reading of it completes a beautiful cycle, a cycle of learning, of sharing. So many of the fine arts manifest this beautiful cycle… the player of music and the listener. So many subtle ways to remind ourselves that cliche, “We’re all in this together.”

Now, if you don’t much care about any of this in the first place, you’re done. For those of you still interested, here is –

The Long Version (theirs and mine)

I used to think that writing was like composing, that one wrote music from a lot of momentary inspiration… mostly because that’s how I did it. But then, one afternoon, I was watching an interview with Thomas Friedman. I’ve always enjoyed his editorials, and respect his excellent writing ability. In this interview, he was insightful, well-spoken and creatively thoughtful… just like his writing!  And my twenty watt bulb lit up! You can’t write something until you first actually think it! Then, because you’re writing, you have time to consider it, edit and refine it. What a luxury!

Thomas’ interview was showing me he was thinking spontaneously, on the fly, and he was really bright! He wrote as he thought! What a concept!

Now I know how stupid this all sounds… of course you have to think a thing before you can write it! But like I said, in writing you have the opportunity to ponder the hell out of a thought, a concept, and share it only when you can’t refine it any further. And, again, what a luxury!

A part of my writing deals with my life experiences, for the reader to hopefully relate to, perhaps learn a tidbit from. And I am guilty of sharing parts of it in hopes of (gasp) approval. I have managed to pretty much stifle my ego, but I can’t seem to kill it.

Though we’re off to a pretty good start here, I think there’s one more step in that process that needs to be addressed… that step being to write one’s likes and dislikes down for the purpose of better self-understanding. But is that really a thing, or am I simply covering up my selfish need to use this format to spew stuff that attempts to glorify me or at least humanize me? (As my mom used to say, “Don’t answer that!)

Also, it’s selfishly satisfying that I’m able to sign my writing, whereas some of my music, that I know still floats through Atlanta’s museums and historical sites, is unsigned… no one knows, or cares, who did it. And I sometimes wish they did.

It’s all about perspective, after all

But never mind why I think it’s okay to write about ourselves. My point of view on this subject is always going to end up skewed, to one degree or another, by what’s left of my ego. Thankfully, for many years the ego had nothing to do with most of my writing. That didn’t happen until after I started my first blog, The Sagebrush Chronicles.

About my personal relationship with writing

I think one of the major factors encouraging my continued writing was getting published for the first time in the Montana magazine, The Bugle. Then, soon after, I got an article published in the Emory U. paper in Atlanta, The Emory Wheel.  Becoming a published writer was huge for my self confidence, as I never felt very comfortable with delving into this new (for me) art form.

I had been a musician and composer for 35 years. Finally retiring at 62, it wasn’t easy to let go of my music career. As it slowly bled out,  I found my new creative outlet in writing. It felt good… so good, in fact, that 2 years into my retirement I self-published my first book, and what a revelation that was!

I highly recommend getting published, or self-published. There was something about holding the tangible efforts in my hand, in a book of my thoughts and feelings. See, with music, it’s largely so intangible. Though we can hear it and feel it, it is simply invisible sound vibrations that flow by and through us, then are gone. But the book… it was so satisfying to hold the tangible results of my writing in that book!

But enough about me…

And I very much hope that a few of my friends, who are good writers but seem to refuse to pursue it to any degree, will read a little of this and perhaps be motivated, even inspired, to continue. And so, to this question, Why write about ourselves? Let’s peek into the internet and see a few other points of view on the matter.

“The primary reason for writing anything is to communicate with others, to stimulate interest or action from the reader. You may also use writing to help you to reflect on your experiences and learn from them.” Yes.

“Writing allows individuals to observe, monitor, and evaluate how they express and control their emotions. The sense of control over emotions that is a direct result of writing helps the writer improve their well-being and reduces negative emotions.” Again, yes.

Here are a few thoughts from a fine writer, Carma Barre

“We write about ourselves to help others. We write so that there might be a slim glimmer of a chance that someone listens to our life lessons. We write to give to others, so that maybe they trip one less time than we did.

“We write about ourselves because we love to write, and why not write something passionate? Something that means something? Something someone else can relate to?”

Yes, that! “Something someone else can relate to” is my primary reason of writing anything at all. Anyway, continuing on –

“We also write about ourselves to be vulnerable in the most professional and accepted way in society. How many other “professional” people can spew about their frustrations, their life lessons, their terrible boss, their full-time jobs…? Displaying their scars and battle wounds from their time on this earth to anyone listening?

“The answer is, there really is no other profession where it’s accepted.
“So, yes. We write about what we know. Shamelessly.”

Extremely well-put, Carma. She writes a regular blog, on a format called “Medium.” For one thing, she puts things in a way I really like.

“Being at sea, and the fight to catch a very big fish; the elation that comes from drinking or making love; a storm, and its feeling of danger — all can give you such an enjoyment of life that you are ashamed of being so happy when most people are not. Writing can give great happiness, too, when it goes the way you want, but is a different kind of happiness; although one is as important as the other.”
Ernest Hemingway
-letter to Ivan Kashkin
12 January, 1936

“As things stand now, I am going to be a writer. I’m not sure that I’m going to be a good one or even a self-supporting one, but until the dark thumb of fate presses me to the dust and says ‘you are nothing’, I will be a writer.”
– Hunter S. Thompson

One evening, years back, I was sitting in Montana with two fine friends, Jack Waller and Roger Williams. We’d gotten onto the subject of writing, and in the middle of it Roger said, “I don’t think I’ve ever had a thought worth writing down.”

Well. Knowing Roger as we do, that was unthinkable! To accuse Roger of being only a “doer” and not a thinker would be a huge miscalculation. True, he is a man of action, with little time for philosophizing, but he could do it, if he’d take the time. He is brilliant and conversational on all things mechanical, all things of nature and the outdoors, and most things political.

Roger could write instruction manuals on everything from rebuilding a diesel engine to the water and sewer system of the town he lives in, to the workings and repair of a huge railroad steam engine. He could write essays on the political, social and cultural crises we find ourselves struggling with these days… but Roger prefers to do it all, rather than write about it all. And I so respect that.

In years past, I preferred doing and writing. Now, in later years, I have to be satisfied with writing about what I did. And that’s okay.

I think that what I write is one person’s point of view on any number of subjects, many from a musician’s life, and many from a lifelong curiosity to understand himself, and the human condition. A part of my search for self included what others thought of me. As a younger man, I put way too much stock in other people’s opinions.

“Writing allows individuals to observe, monitor and evaluate how they express and control their emotions.” Sure, and another way to put it, for me, anyway, is – writing is like being able to discuss your thoughts and feelings with the Universal Therapist, and always leave feeling better. So I do. And I do.

Steve Hulse