Do you write because you want to say something or because you have something to say?  Do your write to communicate or to express an idea?  Do you have a story that just has to be told?  Do you like to talk, and continue to do so even when there is no one in the room to listen?  Do you have questions that you want to answer?  Do you write for therapy?  Do you write for yourself or for an audience?  Do you have an experience that will help others and want to share it?  Do you think you are funny?  Do you write to be remembered?  Do you hope to record a significant event or happening?  Do you write to stay in touch with others?  Do you write because it is required of you?  Do you write because you are good at it?

Writing is an essential way to communicate with others, especially in today’s world where so much communication occurs over text messages, email, and blogs.  We can share important information, thoughts and other creative ideas through what we write.  We can express ourselves and help other people with things that we write.  In our daily lives, we all use writing at one point or the other (or at the very least, we read what someone else has written).  There are many reasons to write, and before a writer begins (and during the entire process), a writer must be able to answer why he or she is writing.

Everything we write must have a purpose.  We are answering one of the above questions (or any of the others that I left out) when we describe the purpose or intent behind a piece of writing.  Concentrating on your purpose will help your writing stay focused, and keep you from experiencing any of the dreaded “writer’s block” that occurs when you let yourself forget.  Purpose driven writing is our best writing.  

Have you ever thought about these questions before?  Are there several questions that apply to you?  (There probably are because we each write for a variety of reasons.)  Post a comment and let me know what you think as well as any other reasons you have (or know of) for writing.

~Melissa