In his book Unleash the Writer Within Cecil Murphey opens by asking the question, “Why do you write?”
What he’s not looking for is the safe answer, the politically correct response, a blast of bravado, or an eloquent, but meaningless marketing statement. He desires the real answer, the truth—and as writers, we owe it to ourselves, to be honest.
I could say I write to make a difference in the world. Although not untrue, it’s not my primary driving force. If my goal in writing was solely to make a difference, that would put a lot of pressure on me and quickly sap me of all joy for the craft.
To be completely open, I have two reasons why I write:
- I believe I have something worth sharing, and
- If I didn’t write, I think I would die — first figuratively and then literally.
[Read my review of Unleash the Writer Within.]
Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.
Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book The Successful Author for insider tips and insights.
