Why I Write

I’m beginning to define and explore the difficult question of why I write and why I want to become a better writer. Here are some of my initial and incomplete thoughts:

• Writing is my response to God’s direction. God keeps telling me to write. I know that sounds pretty mystical, or overly religious or downright arrogant. I mean, if God said it, who’s to argue the point, right? But it’s true in the sense that, despite trying a number of different degree programs and work roles, I have always sensed God’s finger pointing me back to writing. I think it’s safe to say I feel compelled to write, as in, if God gave me the ability, provided the training and gave me the tools to write well, then I should write.
• Writing is the fruit of my spiritual life. In high school, much of my writing was focused on searching for my identity, asking the big questions about the meaning of life and my purpose on this planet. Just after graduating, my search culminated in establishing a relationship with Jesus, and that course correction shifted my journal writing to reflections on scripture, meditations on my life as a Christ follower, and insights I was getting from reading the bible and books on the Christian life. Nearly 40 years later, I am still recording my thoughts and ideas about the realities of my life.
• Writing is a way to share my journey with others. I have written dozens of articles over the years on various subjects for publication in magazines and newspapers. But I feel most fulfilled when I write about my personal experiences in a way that has the potential to help others. My blog is a vehicle for this kind of writing.
• Writing clears out the cobwebs in my thinking. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to write my way through problems and relationship issues. I start out confused or angry as I write about a situation, and by the time I’m three or four pages in, I see things in a different light. I’m usually able to understand the decision before me or recognize my role in a situation, and I’m able to come to some resolve.
• Writing gives me great pleasure. Ok, not when I’m in the middle of it; not when I’m moving words around, swapping paragraphs or wondering if I have made any sense at all. I enjoy writing when the work is done, when I’m reading it aloud to myself to hear where I need to make changes. The pleasure comes in the final edits and when someone reads my story and says, “Good job.”

I have stories to tell – my story, your story, God’s story. That’s why I write and why I have started to blog more regularly.

©JoAnn Amicangelo 2015