Why do you write?
It’s a simple question but it has the ability to change the way you approach your work completely. As rewarding as writing can be, it’s tough. Throughout your journey, you will face writer’s block, rejection, and at times you may even struggle with readership. Knowing your “why” keeps you going. It brings you back to the page, time after time, with a fresh sense of motivation.
Why do I need to know my why?
You’re most likely to finish a project if you know exactly what it means to you. If you don’t have a why, at some point when you become distracted or disinterested, you’ll decide there isn’t a point in continuing. But if you figure out what that reason is ahead of time, it will more than motivate you – it will encourage you to dig deep inside yourself and create something authentic and powerful. This adds a deeper sense of purpose and meaning to your work, which is something your readers will feel, even if they can’t pinpoint it.
Knowing your why also makes writing more fun. When you know what drives you, the entire experience becomes less a chore and more of what it has always been meant to be: a journey. You start looking forward to your writing sessions. You’re less likely to burn out – you can push through the roadblocks because you know what’s at stake for you. Ultimately, having this clarity sharpens your vision for your projects, making it easier to translate your ideas into written words.
Examples of why
Your why doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as enjoying the quiet solitude of writing or the feel of a pen in your hand as you scribble in a notebook. Maybe you write to relive a specific moment in time or capture the vibe of a particular era. Some writers are motivated by the sheer love of books and the desire to create something of their own. Others look at writing as a form of therapy, a way to stay grounded and feel more like themselves. Each of these is a valid why.
If your why is tied to a specific project, think about what drives you to write it. What is it about this story that needs to be told? Why are you willing to spend months or years writing it? What would happen if you didn’t write it? Why do you feel compelled to bring these characters or this world to life? These questions often trace back to your audience. Who are you writing for and why would they care about this book? Why can you offer that others can’t? Thinking about the impact your project might have on others can help you make it to the end.
Whatever your why is, keep it visible. Write it down on a sticky note or a digital reminder and put it somewhere in your workspace that you will see it often. This will serve as a reminder and keep you focused and motivated when challenges come up.
How do I find my why?
If you’re struggling to find your why, here are some exercises you can test out to identify it.
Make a list of your projects
On a list, write down everything you’ve written about in the past and everything you want to write about in the future. Spend a few moments with each item and assign meaning to it. What do you like best about it? What do you like least? What did you learn or what do you hope to learn from it? Once you’ve done that, connect the dots – are there any common themes or values between them? You may find a handful of common threads, which make up the core reasons you write what you write.
Play with word associations
For the purpose of a specific project, write a series of words that define your project and what you want it to accomplish. When considering why you write in general, do this for words that define you and what you want to accomplish with your writing. When you’re done with either (or both) lists, circle the ones that are most important to you.
Think about your motivation
What made you sit down the last time you wrote? Why did you stop everything else going on in your life to create? Also, think about what made you start your current work in progress. Jot down whatever comes to mind.
Build a why ladder
A “why ladder” is asking why again and again until you get to a core answer. Start with a writing goal you have. Ask yourself “Why do I have this goal?” or “Why is this goal important to me?” When you’ve found your answer, ask yourself why again. Do this until you feel like you can’t ask “why?” anymore or until you feel like you’ve come across a personal epiphany. The deeper you go, the more clarity you’ll gain.
A guide to your writing journey
Finding your why doesn’t have to mean that you want your writing to change the world. It’s about finding what drives you to sit down at the keyboard day in and day out. Sometimes it’s a singular reason. Other times, your why may evolve with each project as you explore different characters, worlds, or themes. Once you understand your why, it can serve as a beacon to guide you through your writing journey, helping you bring your stories to life with confidence and meaning.