Why Write Anyway? | Scholarship Contest Blog Link-up | Kris With a K | Writing Coach
What a question!
It’s one that I was asked in one of my writing classes in University, and it’s one I’ve asked all of you to answer too.
But it’s not easy.
Particularly for those of us who choose to do it, regardless of its merit as a Marketing tactic: the fools or the scholars – depending on your stance on writing as a pastime.
It’s a great exercise though, and I haven’t thought about it in a while. I mean…I think about what I should be writing All. The. Time. And my Great Big Why is really clear to me, but I haven’t let my mind dig into the reasons I still put words together on the page and set them loose to dance.
It feels like it’s time to explore it again.
The first time I addressed this question, it was a free-writing exercise: a brainstorm in sentence form. At the beginning of class, we were all asked to pull out a handful of empty pages and a pen and answer the question on the board as a brainstorm. No rules. No editing. No big deal.
After we spent 2 or 3 minutes writing and thinking about our motivations, a few of us were asked to share our work with the rest of the group. This is a typical thing to do in a healthy Writers’ Workshop – to encourage confidence and to help learn how to be receptive to others’ criticism and advice.
The responses were lovely.
There were lists of career-related reasons to have effective writing skills, and there were lists of reasons more related to glory and fame…
And there were lists – like mine – that included both.
My reasons for writing have changed somewhat over the years, but they remain rooted in the same need I have to connect to others, the same hope for understanding and recognition of a shared world.
…and moments of awkward humour about Canadian daytime talk show hosts (yes, there is such a thing), and elbow patches on twill.
The reaction of my classmates was wonderful! They even laughed about the elbow patches. They understood me; they felt as though I understood them. It was intoxicating.
That was the day I knew I had to be a Writer.
Though it took me a few more degrees and a whole bunch of years to realize I actually could…and still feed my children regularly.
As of May 12, 2015, The following are some of the reasons I write:
- To communicate, clearly and carefully
- To freeze time and mould it
- To have the chance to go through moments one time and then run backwards through them again to smooth over the confusion – to perfect slowly this slippery thing of human communication
- To meet people and get to know them (you)
- To educate
- To share the stories that bubble up and out and over again – and to connect other women with their own bubbling pots of story
- To inspire
- To confound, confuse and alarm —> only to – at the last moment – pull the thread that connects the things that will bring the clarity, connection and comfort that was there all along.
- Trickery! And the fun of it.
- To empower
- I write because I can’t dance very well.
- I will never make the basketball team (I’m 35 and 5 foot nothing)
- I won’t be a famous folk singer after all – not for a lack of trying in garage bands and at Carnegie Hall – but I still *need* to share my Voice, no matter its burrs and flaws, in order to know myself and the world around me.
- I write because it’s necessary, and because I can.
- And I write because it’s frivolous and because it’s impossible.
- I write these days to show women how joyful writing can be. It’s become an obsessive, viral thing in me – incubating and spreading – I hope – to all of you.
Thank you for showing up each week to hear the words I drop into the white space, and a GREAT BIG thank you to all of you who have spent this week thinking and writing about writing too.
If you would like to participate in the “Why Write” Blog Link-up and you haven’t written anything yet, that’s ok. You still have until the 18th of May to write a post describing the reasons writing has been important to you and your business. You can invite your friends to do so too:
Click to tweet: Join me in the Why Write Blog Link-up With a K and get a chance to win a scholarship to the #CraftYourVoice writing course
Then copy the following green text and paste it at the top of your post. When you’ve published it, you can come back here and leave your link in the comments. Each person who leaves their link in the comments will have a chance to win a scholarship to the Craft Your Voice writing workshop that I am starting on the 25th of May.
[wc_divider style=”image3″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=””]
I’m participating in a Blog Link-up with Kris (With a K), from www.withakwriting.com//, because she wants to hear about the role writing plays in our businesses.
She is giving a Writing Workshop for entrepreneurs and bloggers, starting May 25th, and she wants to give away a scholarship to one of the lovely bloggers who participate in this link up. You can participate and get a chance to win too.
Just copy and paste this piece of text into the introduction of your blog post answering the question, “How has writing been beneficial to your business, and what do you want to Craft with your Voice next?” Link back to this post, so any of your friends who are entering will be able to find it for more info.
Finally, go back to Kris’s blog on or after May 12th to add your link to the link-up party there, and you could win a scholarship to her new course: Craft Your Voice. She’ll be drawing a name on the 18th of May for a full scholarship to the 6 week writing course, so you can write and link-up your post any time before then.
[wc_divider style=”image3″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=””]
I’m really excited to read your wonderful post, kitten! If you’re struggling to write it and you haven’t signed up for the free Design Your Process workshop yet you can still do that (it also ends on May 18th though, so get to it quick).
Thanks again for being here with me each week! I truly do enjoy speaking with you and helping you – as best I can.
So I suppose that answers the “Why I Write” question, doesn’t it? As for what I’m crafting next? After the 6 week course I’m teaching, I have another great blogging tool I’m cooking up for you – but you’ll have to wait for more on that 😉
In the meantime, keep coming back each week (or sign up for freebies and updates), because I’m still going to be crafting those too.
xo
You mad? Excited? Have a perspective to share? Please do!
28 Comments
Leave a Comment
Want to read more? Check out these recent articles.
5 Steps to Take Your Blog Photos from Shoot to Blog…times 2
There are some stunning blog photos online. In fact, professional-level images are becoming the standard for blog photos. Seriously. With the fancy DSLR cameras out there, and the ability we have to learn almost any skill we want from our desktop computer (or smartphone), the online world is getting pretty darn…well…pretty these days. The problem is…
Four Ways to Organize Your Blog Images Fast, so You can Find the Perfect Picture for Every Post
I’m not a professional photographer. At. All. My 12 year old daughter has a better camera than me, and she’s better at using it than I am. In truth, I only use my iPhone to take photos for my blog, and I know I could be a lot better at it too. But that’s ok, because…
You’re not Perfect, and neither is your Blog
I haven’t written a blog post in 2 weeks, guys. And I know that everyone who is anyone says that I shouldn’t mention that in case you didn’t notice. But I’m going to anyway, because even though it brings me further away from my editorial calendar, even though it’s not according to the plan, and even though…
You’re Not too Busy to Blog
We’re all busy. You’re Busy; I’m Busy; Everybody’s Busy-Busy. Personally, I think that “busy” is just another 4-letter word. We all have the same number of hours in our days, and no matter what shows up, we manage to fill them with something. When my two kids aren’t home, those hours still zoom by. I don’t suddenly…
Bloggers gotta Blog…but sometimes it sucks
Business Owners Blog for a lot of Reasons. We are told again and again that blogging is an important part of online marketing. It is, in fact, often seen as the central aspect of your online presence. I definitely think that – in my own business and the businesses of many of my clients – the…
Your Writing Process Matters. Stop the Cage Match | Kris With a K | Writing Coach
Ok, so I recognize that “Cage Match” may not seem like a normal thing to bring up alongside your Writing Process, but it will all make sense in a minute – I swear! We all get frozen sometimes when we are writing. A few weeks ago, I talked about how that freezing sensation has nothing to do with…
Hopefully, I’m eeeking in just in time. It was thrilling to take the time to explore my journey with my voice, how (& why) it’s shown up in my business…and what is on the horizon (fingers crossed).
Without further adieu…my contribution to the fray ~ http://www.aradiashand.com/blog/wuw-muse-whisper-sweetly-to-me
Good luck to everyone and yay for new beginnings to that lucky someone! <3
Thank you so much for the 6-week course “Design Your Process.” You are a talented teacher and healer. I’d love to come along for your next course, but even if I can’t, you’ve inspired me to start my new blog, https://writewithola.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/exciting-beginnings/ … and to start writing, trying out some of the processes you shared! And, I’ll continue you enjoy your Tuesday posts. Thanks again.
See you on the Paper Route!
Yes! I love seeing new blogs sprouting up this week. You need a platform to share your voice, kitten. Congrats on creating another one for yourself.
xo
K
[…] bloggers who participate in this link up. You can participate and get a chance to win too. (See https://www.withakwriting.com//why-write-anyway-scholarship-contest-blog-link-up-kris-with-a-k-writing… for more […]
Hello Kris!
Here is my post… I allowed fear to slow me down! After I was done I did feel like I accomplished something… thanks for the opportunity and I look forward to hearing who the winner is.
http://liberatedstrands.com/excuse-cant/
Awesome! Tell Fear to take a hike 😉
Congrats on finishing the post; it’s a small victory in and of itself, to tell Fear, “No!” Good luck on the draw, Angela!
xo
K
Okay, here is my entry! I’ll be on “pins and needles” until Monday! Love all you do! Thanks, Chica!!
http://jewelsbytrish.com/2015/05/writing-makes-my-heart-tinglescholarship-spotlightyour-right-now/
Just read it, Trish. LOVELY! 🙂
xo
K
I have to give this a shot! Fingers crossed! And thanks for the free course, Kris, it’s been a big help!
https://terminaldistractionblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/finding-why/
YAY!
I’m so glad the Design Your Process course has helped so far, and I hope Craft Your Voice can be a great help too! Good luck in the contest; I’m off to read your post now 🙂
xo
K
I am so excited for this course! I have always loved writing but feel that I don’t write with much purpose, more of just rambling. I posted about the reasons I write here http://tinyurl.com/kjelohr !!! Thank you for this great opportunity Kris!
xoxo
K. Rose
Thanks for participating, Kady!
I have done my fair share of rambling too, but it is remarkably satisfying to finish a piece and *know* that it has served a purpose for you and your reader. Can’t wait to read your post 🙂
xo
K
Hello Kris!
I also wanted to participate in the Blog-Link-Up and I am writing about my struggles with writing in a foreign language!
I hope I’m still in time to take part in this lovely contest!
Thanks
Cinzia
Would love to win the class and learn sth more to write stories and on a blog. Haven´t set up a blog yet but would love to. So I answer Caras question here:
http://vincens.typepad.com/cest_la_vie_ours_anyway/2015/05/are-you-able-to-truly-tell-your-stories-a-storytellers-tale.html#comment-6a00d8341c079b53ef01b8d1146567970c
Do it. Do it. Do it!
Setting up a blog isn’t nearly as scary as you think it is, Sabine. I sat on a domain for my own blog for WAY too long before I got it up and running for real.
Just start writing. The coolest thing about blogging is that at first – when nobody knows you yet – you have lots of room to grow and learn 🙂
Stay tuned here too, because I’m starting a blogging series on the blog really soon.
xo
K
Hi Kris,
I read April’s post late last night and today I couldn’t wait to learn more about you. What a huge endorsement that was! Plus, I’ve seen your comments on Mayi’s blog. I enjoy seeing how you, like me, also use your words to spread love to others.
Congratulations on this momentum that you have going, Kris. Totally inspirational! 🙂 So glad to have found you!!!
Here is my entry for the scholarship:
Thank you Haydee!
I was floored when I read April’s post. She’s just the sweetest, isn’t she? Mayi’s pretty adorable too. They’re two of my absolute favourite online buddies. I’m glad you found me too; I can’t wait to read your post 🙂
xo
K
Yes,
They are are sweet and adorable. 🙂
Yay! I’m so excited for you! You have been gently coaxing me to get with this writing process for the longest, and i resisted. What a fool i’ve been.
I watched the videos and printed out your magical worksheets, and when it came time to write my blog i worked the process from start to finish. I always skipped the prep because i was “too busy” Ha! Writing my blog using this process actually took MUCH less time.
So, consider me a convert K-Dub. I will be a faithful user of this process from now on!!
Here’s my post: http://www.theredscorpio.com/blog/dypchallenge/
xo,
rs
YAAASSSS! I’m so excited to hear that, Red.
I’m so pumped that you tried a new way. I know it’s hard to change gears when you’ve been doing things one way for a while, and I’m even MORE pumped that it worked for you 🙂
xo
K
I did it again today! Yay! Effing genius, you are <3 <3 <3
xo,
rs
You’re hilarious, Red! 🙂 It’s a good process, and I’m pumped it’s working for you.
xo
K
Aw, throwing my hat in 😀 Even your smallest of tips makes a huge impact in my writing !
http://vincens.typepad.com/cest_la_vie_ours_anyway/2015/05/are-you-able-to-truly-tell-your-stories-a-storytellers-tale.html
Thanks Cara!
I’m excited to read your post, in your always so cute handwriting 🙂
xo
K
Eeeek!!! I can’t WAIT for this class to start!!! 🙂 And it’s late, and I’ve got a hungry baby in my lap, so hopefully this all made sense! I applied some of what I’m learning in your freebie course. 😀 http://www.cheekyvisionaries.com/sister-helped-find-my-voice/
Weeee! I’m going to read it now; I love the title already.
I’m so pumped that you’re getting real, actionable stuff out of the free course…should I be asking you to see your outline first? 😉
xo
K
Love reading the eloquence of your posts. Your words always seem to flow so nicely. Ideas for my outline (I’ve been paying attention in class! ) are swirling for this future post!
Thank you, Trish!
I can’t wait to read your next post. Your last one was PERFECT; you’re really starting to touch on your GBW 🙂 You’re quickly becoming teacher’s pet, Trish!
xo
K