by Patrick Tay

Created on: August 13, 2008

Being an avid writer, I couldn't miss this opportunity to write my thoughts on why writers write. In fact, I feel that knowing and understanding why we write is an important process prior to writing. I see writing as more of a form of self-expression. And because self-expression differs between individuals, I see writing as more of an artistic endeavour (where there is flexibility and freedom) than a scientific engagement (where formulaic structures exist to confine).

There are many reasons why writers write, and here are some highlights of the more common reasons. The list is inexhaustible though, so you might like to explore on your own why writers write. As for now, let us have a look at the following reasons for writing.

Firstly, writers write because they have to. For some of us, it's our profession. We are paid to write. Of course, there are some of us who have the passion to write (such as this writer) but there are also some of us who get paid to write and who regard writing as a job. Thus writing becomes an obligation, in the same way that some students write their composition in order to get through school. There might be a certain degree of satisfaction when writers write for such reasons but there might not be much enjoyment in the writing process.

Then there are writers who write to express themselves. In the same way that artists express themselves through various outlets such as paintings, sculptures and photography, writers write. Such writers have discovered a passion for words as they discover that words provide a portal that allows others into their world. Although it's been said that most writers are introverts (since introverts have been said to spent most of their time in their inner world), I beg to differ. I believe that writers come from all walks of life, and this includes extroverts as well. Writing is a passion that is opened to all who have developed an interest in the endeavour, and not limited to merely a few.

Creativity does play a part in writing as well. Our passion for writing using our creativity has been manifested in the art of creative writing (which blends and integrates one's creativity with one's love for words), of which novels are one of its product. When we are creative and share a love for writing, we can create worlds of our own and invite readers into them. Movies adapted from novels are the perfect examples of how a feature film director translates words into moving images. Such is the power of written words.

Then

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