In Others’ Words: Why

 

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“Why do writers write? Because it isn’t there.” ~ Thomas Berger (1924-), American novelist

One of my favorite things to do is connect with other writers. I’ll be doing just that in 11 days: traveling to Texas to meet up with other writers. Hundreds of ‘em! First I’ll be in Houston with the My Book Therapy (MBT) staff, planning the Scrimmage workshop scheduled for the day before before the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference. And then (you guessed it right!), I’ll be attending the ACFW Conference.

Whenever writers get together, we talk about what we’re writing. And we always, always get back to why we’re writing. Asking me why I write is like asking me why I breathe.

I have to.

If I’m not breathing, I’m not alive.

If I’m not writing … well, I’m not living — being who God created me to be.

And I agree with Thomas Berger’s assessment too: Writers write because it isn’t there. What isn’t there?

Story.

There are stories waiting to be told, to be written … and read. People love stories — and writers? We fashion stories that people fall in love with.

At least, that’s my goal as a writer.

In Your Words: Why do you write? Readers, do you have a favorite genre of story that you like to read?