"The first thing you need to know is why you want to write."

I read that on these forums once. I've thought about it a lot since; what my reasons for writing were, whether they were valid reasons, etc. It made me wonder what other people's reasons were, so I made this thread. Discuss.

I write because I'm happy when I tell stories.

I write because I like the feeling of having created something which other people might enjoy. It makes me feel like I have some value as a human being.

Sometimes I enjoy the writing process, so there's that too. Not always, though, and sometimes the thing I feel like writing is not the thing I want to have written.

I write because I create stories in my mind and I want to express them.

Why not?

I sat down one day and started. I can't say I enjoy it directly; I can't say I have even the slightest familiarity with "writer's high" or anything like that.

But I've never had a reason to stop. And the feedback has usually been enjoyable. Everyone likes being seen as clever.

I write because the stories didn't leave me alone when I didn't.

I had the ideas, and they were powerful. And I wanted to share them.

<~~~

That is all.

edited 27th Aug '11 7:14:41 PM by TheEmeraldDragon

I write because I choose to. I choose to because I want to tell stories that I like.

I started and continue to write because it was the only way for me to find and understand myself and my voice.

I write because I'm arrogant enough to read Tolkien, Steinbeck, and Voltaire, and think to myself, 'Psh, I could do way better than this!'

I write because there are stories to be told. For me, the joy is not within the written word exclusively, but in the narrative.

edited 27th Aug '11 8:26:08 PM by KSPAM

i dont write because i dont want to write.

i try to write because i just wanna get these stories out of my head.

and to get the people i tell the summaries to, to stop whining about me being a lazy asshole who hypes stuff up knowing full well it will never come to existance in the first place.

its...almost...working. in the last 3 months ive made more progress than in the last 6 years

but thats not saying much.

edited 27th Aug '11 8:37:47 PM by Tarsen

People need stories in their life, so I see it fit to provide for them. And if my writing can inspire people to pursue their own aims — writing or otherwise — then I'll write to give them the faith they need.

Why do I want to write?

Because I can. I don't have any high-minded aspirations or even intentions to get published - I just enjoy writing, so I do as one of my forms of leisure.

Stories are my religion. No, really.

I tell stories because that is my chosen purpose.

because it brings to life the rich and exciting worlds i fantasize about. through proxy i can express the main character of an aspect of me (that aspect turned into a character) that is in some way valued and making a difference. It is an escapism that I hope that some of the readers will be able to identify with as well.

Wow, compared to you guys, I'm writing for really shallow reasons. I want to write because fiction and its conventions are my life and writing is a way to recreate those the way I want; exaggerate conventions that I love, satirize ones that I hate, and contemplating about what some of those imply and the seek the full range of their application.

But mostly? I like to write about attractive people, beautiful sceneries, relaxing mood, and things blowing up.

If it makes you feel any better, I'd wager that a fair number of my female characters are well-equipped. To say nothing of the men...

Still, I wouldn't call your reason shallow. Writing's a tool to explore, and I reckon you're just using it as it was meant to be. No harm in that.

edited 27th Aug '11 10:06:28 PM by Voltech44

I write because there are thoughts and ideas I really want the rest of the world to know about. It feels like a mission, really. Also, I like to create things.

edited 27th Aug '11 10:40:33 PM by Teraus

In all honesty? I write because I love to read and otherwise immerse myself in fiction.

Having worlds and characters running around in my head is convenient for those times when I can't have a book.

When it comes to the actual writing down, there's a certain pleasure in getting the right word combinations down, and showing somebody else the thing that was in your head.

edited 27th Aug '11 11:36:03 PM by LoniJay

I write to get ideas out of my head and share them with the world, I wouldn't mind just having a small group of people like my work but not going to lie I'd also love to be able to write for a living.

edited 28th Aug '11 1:48:44 AM by Vyctorian

Why not? It's as good a way to pass the time as any.

'cause it's fun.

'Cause I want to give something back in return for all the stories I've consumed. Also I couldn't stop writing if I tried. It's more addictive than cocaine. (No seriously, I know a person who gave up cocaine but couldn't give up writing.)

Because it is the sole means I have for the moment of creating something. I have the need to create, and this will have to do for now. That, and I have ideas that I feel I need to show.