The Top 10 Reasons I Write

The word ‘write’ can mean different things to different people. For some, write is fright. For others, it is sheer delight.

Here are the Top 10 reasons I write.

Do you? If so, what compels you to confront the ‘blank page’?

1. It clears my head, allowing me to compose the things I should never say. Later in the day, I write the things I should have said.
2. It’s as much fun as my last roller coaster ride, minus the queasy, disoriented post-ride dizzy spells.
3. I scribble in a notebook. Remember those? Bonus: I love the sound of a pen or pencil as it scratches across the page.
4. I hope someone will read at least one word of what I put down on paper. Most will be throw-away, but there are some morsels of gold as I plow the field.
5. The post-writing high is euphoric, especially if you’ve lost track of time.
6. It helps me generate more ideas. Every ‘brainstorming’ meeting should start with ten minutes of free write about the problem to be solved.
7. It makes me a better husband, father and friend. Some hit a golf ball or punching bag for therapy, I prefer a notebook.
8. I am surprised by what’s bothering me, and it usually doesn’t appear until it flows onto the paper.
9. Typing seems too ephemeral, transactional, harried.
10. My imagination needs to go out for a run every now and then. All work and no writing makes me a dull boy.

Until next time,

Dan Naden