Written on April 12th, 2008 at 12:04 am by Darren Rowse
Why Do You Write?
In this post Muhammad Saleem asks why do you write? Muhammad is a social media consultant and a top-ranked community member on many social sites. image by mezone
Why Do You Write?
Sounds like an odd question at first, doesn’t it? The reason why you write actually has a big impact on how you write and what you write about, and understand that identifying this reason can actually help you write better and work faster towards achieving that goal.
For example, when I first started writing online, I was writing a personal diary of sorts. Since I was writing it more as an outlet for self-expression and not as something for public consumption, the blog didn’t look very pretty, it was unstructured, and I didn’t care much about editing the content or writing regularly. However, when I started writing my first social media blog, I approached the matter very differently. What changed?
Why I Started and Continue to Write
1. Educating Others and Myself
I started writing my first social media blog about 8 months after I really got involved in the space. I was frequently reading other blogs and commenting on them and would often think to myself that my comments could be blog posts of their own (and would offer a worthy contrarian viewpoint to what I was reading). So I started my own social media blog with the intention of doing three things: a) Talking about my experiences in the social space and what others could learn from them, b) Discovering topics that I thought were important but were being undeserved and talking about them, and c) Providing a contrarian viewpoint (or my insight) on the meme of the day. I started blogging not just because I thought I had something to say but because I believed (and still do) that it would create value for people and help others.
2. Personal Branding
There has been a growing reciprocal relationship between my blog and my personal branding. Since I already had a presence in the social media sphere, it gave credibility to my blog, and since I was blogging about my experiences, my social media presence gained more exposure through it. When I say personal branding I don’t mean celebrity for the sake of celebrity. What I mean is establishing your brand as the [something] guy, and I was establishing myself as the social media guy, just as Darren has established himself as the ‘make money through blogging’ guy (unlike John Chow, whom I like to refer to as the ‘make money by bending the rules’ guy).
3. Networking
Through being active in the social media space, blogging was a natural progression for me. Social media is all about community, networking, and collaboration, and one of the best mediums to do that through is blogging. I started blogging not just because I wanted to establish myself as an authority on something and I wanted to help other people understand that niche, but because I also wanted and still want to network with other people in the space and hear what they have to say and learn from them. We all have unique perspectives on things and as much as we like to believe that we know it all, someone always comes along and enlightens us further. I can’t begin to tell you how much I have learned from people commenting on my blogs, or messaging me via email or instant messenger. After all, as John Donne wrote, “All mankind is of one author…No man is an island, entire of itself.”
I don’t think anyone said it better than Rollo May though,
“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.”
4. Escapism
I started writing seriously when I was in college, and I remember that I would write the most (and perhaps some of the most substantive stuff) when I was stressed about something or the other. The more I wrote, the more passionate I became about writing and it was an incredibly easy and enjoyable way to ‘get away from it all’. No more Econometrics or Statistics, I could spend hours just researching, writing, and commenting before I had to go back to the books. Similarly, many of the most unique blogs I see today (such as WebUrbanist and Deputy-Dog) are from people who hold regular jobs but use their blogs as their creative outlets.
5. Money
When I started to blog, I never dreamed of making money through blogging. Not only was I not aware that it was an option, but I was mentally trained and culturally brought up to want to be a financial consultant - it was set in stone. But the more I blogged, the more people started asking me to blog for them for money. While I never guest blogged for money (I think it defeats the purpose of ‘guest’ blogging), I did end up writing regularly for multiple sites on a per post basis and thought it was absolutely perfect. Think about it, getting paid to do what you’re passionate about - it’s not a job if you enjoy doing it!
Ultimately, whether it be out of a passion or to make some cash on the side as a Freelancer, we all have a unique voice and a unique reason for why we should be heard. The single reason why I wrote this post is because I am genuinely interested in hearing each and everyone’s story. Why do you write?
97 Responses to “Why Do You Write?”
Jen-o-topia in TN
April 12th, 2008 12:19 am
I write because I have to!
Ever since my chubby little hand first picked up a crayon I have been writing away ~ sometimes well, sometimes not so well, but there is no doubt it is a very basic part of my nature. I blog, then, to speak my experience as a human being, and I hope that by sharing I am perhaps benefiting others by letting them catch a glimpse into my little world.
K
April 12th, 2008 12:23 am
My clientk blog (formerly RoadToForbes) started because I was making the transition from the corporate fast track to more entrepreneurial/consulting/investing pursuits.
I had all this information that I not only didn’t want to lose but wanted to share with others.
But over the last three years of blogging, I find that my blog pushes me to stay current. It is easy as an entrepreneur to be so busy with business decisions that I forget my continuous education. Not good. If I’m not moving forward, I’m falling behind.
Robin
April 12th, 2008 12:23 am
I think to some extent I started blogging properly because of a desire to find some focus in what I was writing. I *always* wrote, it just tended to be a scattergun type approach. And I realised that that wasn’t really the most effective or enjoyable way for me to write, I wanted my writing to have some wider value and to be more directed in the topics I was writing about.
As a result I’ve developed two blogs, one professional and one for my “fun” stuff. The readership levels aren’t really that important, though of course the more the merrier because I like comments and debate, far more important is that they give me genuine focus to write with a purpose.
FreePSDLogo
April 12th, 2008 12:24 am
I write content for many reasons:
Search engine traffic
Talk about things that I like
Engage my visitors into conversations
I write because I like to write
Farfield
April 12th, 2008 12:28 am
Somehow I always had the feeling I wanted to write. I don’t know why exactly, but I never really took the effort to sit down and start.
So what is it that makes me want to write? Maybe because I love the beauty of language and well placed words. Maybe because I want people to listen to what I have to say. And that’s probably also the reason why I didn’t start earlier, because I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to say.
BW
April 12th, 2008 12:32 am
I started my site when I moved to Puerto Rico.
It has helped me in the adjustment phase of the move and now I find that I can provide my visitors with valuable information for their visit to this Caribbean island. Plus it is a great way to learn about a new country.
It’s still a work in progress, but visitor numbers are up; which is always a good thing.
Andrea
April 12th, 2008 12:35 am
For the personal blog - because I have stories to tell.
For the tech blog - because I have people to help. :)
Guille
April 12th, 2008 12:38 am
I started blogging recently to find my voice. I have strong opinions about topics of the day and getting feedback on those ideas can only help make them better. I look over you post again and your reasons for blogging seem like they would appeal to the average blogger. At least they all do in my case. These reasons, however, manifest themselves differently for me.
Have you ever heard of the Barnum Effect? The general appeal of this list of reasons may contain a bit of that effect. Just a thought.
Killer Picke
April 12th, 2008 12:48 am
I started blogging on myspace to entertain my friends with hilarious stories. One of my friends hated it and thought it was stupid. So for Christmas I published a book of all of my blog post and gave it to him as a present. It was a great moment. Now I blog on other sites about website marketing, swimming pools and I also run a personal blog on myspace and on blogger.
Scott Fillmer
April 12th, 2008 12:49 am
I think one of the worst reasons to write in general is probably “because you have to”. I have written a few pieces that I felt I had to write and always lost a little creativity. Not that most articles are something that have to be written, that is the case with most (otherwise why write it), but just not the only reason.
Brent
April 12th, 2008 12:50 am
I love to help people. What better place than the web to help an almost unlimited number of people.
Scott Fillmer
April 12th, 2008 12:51 am
@brent - I totally agree, that would probably top my list too.
Vered - MomGrind
April 12th, 2008 12:52 am
A personal blog is a highly creative hobby. I enjoy the creativity of writing, designing and creating a final product that pleases me and that I can publish on my own.
I also enjoy reaching an audience and having a discussion. It’s great to meet people that I would never have met otherwise.
Mizuu
April 12th, 2008 12:56 am
I blog to search myself. At least up to now.
I was blogging since I can remember (around 7-8 years in total, so I’ve started when I was around 13!) I never really had a purpose, apart from the fact I’ve published samples of my stories and poems. My first blog helped me to publish a book, but when I looked back at it, it was unstructural and childish so it got deleted. Then I moved from free Polish blogging service to wordpress.
It’s a powerful tool, but I still had no idea for self-branding. Supposingly, I still haven’t got one. To make things worst - my native is Polish. I’m also rather fluent in English, plus I teach Japanese. I’m mostly into linguistics, so I cannot make my mind if I should start blogging in English finally!
Also, last year I finally have moved myself to Google Accounts, mostly GMail, Reader and Homepage.
It was the time when I have first asked the question what that RSS thingy is? - and whoa, I have the new sickness of “being overfed” ;) - well, not really, I have around 70 subscribtions on various topics: mostly crafting, e-learning, blogging, linguistics, art, gizmos.
I would like to transform my blog or create something new, but I still don’t have a good idea. Probably I’d fit into linguistics niche, but how can you blog on languages?
Well, that’s about it. I’m in the process of learning that weblog can have a topic to focus on, and it might be something diffrent than my own daily life.
Erica
April 12th, 2008 1:09 am
I write to express my emotions, for escapism, and also to connect with my sisters (we blog together). I love to read what they have to say.
Harris
April 12th, 2008 1:19 am
I write because it’s fun, and I like to get feedback. That’s why I run a comedy site, a graphic/web design site, and plan on starting a financial planning site, among others.
JoLynn Braley
April 12th, 2008 1:22 am
I started writing when I was a kid, wrote a little book for school, journaled for most of my childhood and continued journaling in adulthood off and on.
I started my blog after writing a college thesis about sugar addiction and the obesity epidemic. I wanted to pass along information that I’ve learned through research, and also through my own experience - I don’t think my blog reads like a thesis though (LOL).
Most of what I write on my blog is based on my experience, and since I love books I review some of those, too. Now I’m continuing to write because of the positive feedback and interaction I’ve received and engaged in with my readers. I feel that if I can help just one other person by sharing my experiences, then I’ve done something good in the world. ;)
SEOBlogWire
April 12th, 2008 1:25 am
I write because I want that challenge. I want to become a better writer and I like the way you can apply a strategy and see results. Will I get a visitor…will he/she leave a comment…are my articles interesting? So I keep refining my skills and researching as I go.
NEM
April 12th, 2008 1:27 am
I love blogging and can blog every where
Alex (FirstShowing.net)
April 12th, 2008 1:31 am
What’s up Mu?! I just happened to finish writing an absolutely mind-blowing article based on an inspirational interview with filmmaker James Cameron. And writing that article answered this EXACT question - purely because I felt almost euphoric while writing. I had a smile on my face the entire time…
I love movies… more than just about anything. For me, this blog of mine is an opportunity for me to voice my opinion and emphasize my own interests to a crowd of people. The size of that crowd may be enormous, but that’s irrelevant when still considering the fact that my interest is purely based on passion. I do what I do because I love movies and I love talking about movies more than anything. Sure we make money in the end, but that’s not at all what it was when we started and I haven’t lost that sense of direction.
While I think you list 5 very good possibilities that I think most people fall into when asked why they write, I fall into another category that you don’t have listed. The first one is closest, but then again I’m not trying to educate anyone (not all the time, at least). It’s almost as if you should have a #6 - “Love”. I just love writing about movies because I love movies! It might be a hard concept to grasp, but I guess it’s a combination between #1 and #2 in the sense that I like my opinion being read while simply enjoying the fact that I get to have my passionate writing on movies out there.
I could go on and on but I think that’s enough to encompass my considerations for now. Why do I write? For the love of movies!
XX
Tom Stine
April 12th, 2008 1:40 am
Wow, I just did a video on my site answering this question. I was inspired by Darren’s “why do you blog?” post a few weeks ago, but missed his deadline. I expanded it to be Why I Write about Spirituality.
Short answer: I write about spirituality because I have to. It is a deep inner calling to write and share what I know, and ponder what I don’t know.
SpaceAgeSage
April 12th, 2008 2:06 am
I write my blog to be the loom in this Edna St. Vincent Millay poem excerpt:
“Upon this gifted age, in its dark hour,
Rains from the sky a meteoric shower
Of facts … they lie unquestioned, uncombined.
Wisdom enough to leech us of our ill
Is daily spun, but there exists no loom
To weave it into fabric.”
OldSailor
April 12th, 2008 2:06 am
I write to keep in touch with my profession and to update myself on day to day basis.
Carolyn
April 12th, 2008 2:24 am
I blog because I love helping others in my situation. At my job, I’m continually asked for advice, and help when I can by sharing my experiences. Therefore, having created a voice for fellow cat owners, I validate and support them. Being part of a community helps an individual succeed.
Terence Chang
April 12th, 2008 2:34 am
I started writing on my personal blog because I want to record something for the future. I want to record my personal experience, the problems I have, the progress I made. Few years later, I can turn around and evaluate my life.
I was expecting anyone to read my blog, but it turns to be a great motivation and inspiration blog for some people.
mark @ mytropicalescape
April 12th, 2008 2:38 am
Hey Muhammad - Thanks for asking :)
I write primarily to let other people know that you do not have to pursue a life in the corporate world (cubicle) if you do not want to.
Whatever you think will bring you happiness, e.g. working from home, starting your own business, traveling the globe. If I can empower just ONE person to pursue their personal freedom goals then I am happy.
Is it easy to pursue personal freedom and take a path that is not the typical norm? NO. But, it can be done.
All the best,
Mark H.
Lifestyle Design Consultant
Bontb
April 12th, 2008 2:47 am
I write because I want to share my thoughts and blogging experience with others In hope they will learn about it as I did.
Many posts I read on your blog and gave me motivation to blog on daily basis.
I always try to say that I don’t blog for money, but money keeps popping up on google check month after month.
Few words to others…write what you know and not what you don’t…
Subash
April 12th, 2008 2:51 am
I/we write to raise social awareness. It may be about anything, good or bad. We blog to make our voices be heard to all. Just one small reason for us.
Ginkgo100
April 12th, 2008 3:15 am
I write my traditional blog (oh, how fast society moves, that there can be such a thing already as a “traditional blog”) mainly to practice writing and (I’ll be honest) to stroke my ego by sharing my special wisdom (hah) with the world.
I write word puzzles for My Puzzle Fix, which uses Blogger for now but is not really a true blog (at least not in my mind), for fun, to express my creativity, and in hopes of perhaps, eventually, someday, earning a dollar or two. (Okay, I’ve learned from ProBlogger that I should set higher goals if I want to achieve anything worthwhile.)
JEMi | Tips for Life, Love, You
April 12th, 2008 3:20 am
Writing has done for me what no amount of therapy could equate to after a major personal loss
In it, I (unexpectedly) stumbled upon a state of constant learning, discovery, making new friends
now I’m making a name ‘cross the blogosphere
and money - why yes, I do plan to be making quite a bit of that as I climb my way up on top of the heap
aside from all of that
I am addicted to the satisfaction (then desire to do more) that comes with providing the right words or suggestion to someone who needed it at the right time. I know what it feels like to need something - some information, a pick me, a fresh perspective - whatever…and for someone to just saunter in and say “here JEMi”
phenomenal
Do you know what that feels like?
I feel so purposeful and only want to help more and more. In a way .. thats just selfish right?
sue me
B-)
--Deb
April 12th, 2008 3:21 am
Writing in general? Or writing online? Because my answers would be different for each (with some overlap). I’ve got one and a half novels written that nobody but me and a few friends have seen, and I wrote them for completely different reasons than I write my blog. For that matter, I’ve got a “recreational” blog where I chatter about a variety of things with a few hundred of my best knitting friends around the world, as well as a more serious blog which theoretically could make me some money while being informative and inspiring. And, of course, my reasons for writing these are also completely different. So, I guess my answer to “Why do you write,” is “It depends!”
Paula Hawk
April 12th, 2008 3:22 am
I write because its fun. I share my thoughts on various social sites and such that most people don’t have the time to play with.
engtech
April 12th, 2008 3:23 am
I’m definitely in the escapism camp… the thing is, writing/blog culture has always been part of me.
I grew up with BBSes in my formative years, and I’ve always been using one kind of online forum or another for discussions since then.
Raivyn
April 12th, 2008 3:29 am
I write for a lot of reasons:
I love it. There is just something about seeing my words on the internet (and paper), knowing that I did that myself, and others will read them, and perhaps I managed to make someone’s day in the process.
I write to learn, too. They say that teaching others is the best way to learn new things. “They” were right.
And it’s a creative outlet for me. I’ve got an artistic mind, so it’s really no surprise I’d be intrigued by language and design. Blogging gives me that, and more.
fortunecookienotes
April 12th, 2008 3:39 am
I write for enjoyment and expressing my feelings to the world via the web.
Working Rachel
April 12th, 2008 3:40 am
Without a doubt, my primary reason for writing is self-expression: working out my feelings and experiences on paper. I’ve been doing that since I was five, when I wrote the immortal sentence, “Why does Aron Larson keep teasing me?” (I had to ask my mom how to spell most of the words.)
But on my blog, I write to share what I think is a rather unique perspective and to hopefully help others realize that they can achieve their goals, even if they seem too difficult or extreme.
Scott Marlowe
April 12th, 2008 3:40 am
Writing is an outlet for my creativity. That, and ever since I picked up my first fiction novel I couldn’t help but think “I can do that…”. Life got in the way, though, so at 37 I’m really making my first real attempt at getting published. Writing on my blog is in support of that–to connect with others with similar pursuits and to share information.
Otto
April 12th, 2008 3:42 am
I write for all of the above but most importantly, to address the purpose of my site…
Gil
April 12th, 2008 3:53 am
Cheers, Muhammad. Great piece.
I have been writing for pure personal enjoyment ever since I was about 10: short (sci-fi) stories, sketches then some (bad) poetry and then a few movie scripts and screenplays.
In my mid twenties I realized I am about to be a bum if I don’t get a job soon, so as there was simply absolutely no “real job” I could imagine myself doing I followed my brother’s advice and applied for a job as a copywriter in an advertising agency.
Luckily Al had just invented the Internet around that time so after a few years I reused my copywriter “experience” and became Interactive marketing consultant - a steady homeoffice at-the-PC position that allows me - at the age of 38 - to write for my own personal enjoyment once again :)
Thanks Al!
Amanda Fazani
April 12th, 2008 4:04 am
I agree with you so much about writing as escapism! This was actually the reason I started blogging (as a means to get my writing published), though this later developed into a means of helping other bloggers too.
Luis Gross
April 12th, 2008 4:22 am
I’m a 19 year old kid from Harlem,NY so you can pretty much assume what the typical teenager from here does. Well that’s my reason for writing, I write to be different, just like all of you I write to escape as if almost literally, but most importantly I write for a better living.
T.C.
April 12th, 2008 4:30 am
I definitely write to educate others (and myself). I feel like I’ve got a unique perspective on my chosen topic and can offer alot to my readers. Great post!
Muhammad Saleem
April 12th, 2008 4:38 am
Wow. Thanks for all the responses. Making my way through them now.
Miguel Wickert (Pineiro)
April 12th, 2008 4:46 am
My reasons are pretty much the same. I’m a big people person, I’m not afraid of meeting new people. I’m always open to networking and building relationships. I’ll just focus on these two aspects for now, and everything else will follow.
Crystal
April 12th, 2008 5:15 am
I write because Heath Ledger died. Unexpectedly and accidentally. He left with things unsaid/undone and movies unmade. He was (is) one of my favorite actors and I was horrified. I grieved for his lost work.
Later I grieved for the unfinished projects, unuttered opinions, and unshared ideas that would surely die with me. They’re the Me of me and the truth of their imminent loss kept me awake nights.
So I started my blog. I started with Twitter a month later. I’m putting it all out where someone (anyone! everyone!) can read it. Now I sleep like a stone.
Writing = My shot at immortality
Chris
April 12th, 2008 5:22 am
Originally started blogging as escapism, but now it’s simply because I enjoy it. I write about the stuff that interests me, and hope that it interests other people too… that’s pretty much it.
Rhys
April 12th, 2008 5:25 am
Why not? :)
Tony Lawrence
April 12th, 2008 5:38 am
I started my site as a place to put stuff that I might need to refer to later. As it grew and grew, lots of other folks started using it for the same reason.
When it started making money for me, I realized how important it was to keep it going.
But I suspect I’d still do it without the money.
Rob O.
April 12th, 2008 5:43 am
Why I write? Escapism is an element, but moreso, I write blog articles because I enjoy the opportunity to share with others and because it is a creative outlet.
What drives me to want to continue to write? I am most enthusiastic and gather the most fulfillment when my blogging connects with a reader and prompts that person to respond via a comment or email. As much as I know that writing should be sufficient reward unto itself, I have to admit that a little validation from time to time is certainly welcome.
Niche Marketing Professional
April 12th, 2008 5:45 am
I began the Niche Marketing Professional blog for one reason and one reason only - to jot down everything I’ve read on the net about the topic because there’s so much to think about and most of the time I forget what I’ve read. This blog helps me retain most of the “good information” so at least I can go back and jog my memory when I’m trying to push a product or service. Does that make sense?
Tony Maro
April 12th, 2008 6:10 am
I write mostly for my own pleasure. I have a Linux tech blog, and find I search my own experiences to find how I did something in the past when I run into the same problem.
And I think I also write just to hear my own voice (figuratively speaking, that is.) :-) The fact that I make a little money off the ads on the site is inconsequential.
camelia
April 12th, 2008 6:39 am
I write because i like writing more than copy paste, make you feel human!
Clif
April 12th, 2008 6:46 am
I write for all the reasons you mentioned (education, networking, branding, escapism, money) and for one other main reason - it helps me to solidify and organize my own thoughts and opinions. Talking about a topic is one thing, but writing about it makes you think things through at a deeper level.
Daniel Scocco
April 12th, 2008 6:58 am
I write to share my ideas and see what other people think about them. There is an ego factor there, I won’t deny. Hopefully the value that emerges out of the whole process is greater than that though.
Chris Marshall | Martial Development
April 12th, 2008 7:04 am
That is such an important question, and one of the first I answered on my own blog.
Stephane - YulMedia
April 12th, 2008 7:20 am
I started my first blog just to explore the blogosphere and to understand to full SEO potential of the blogs.
Now, I’m doing it because of the communities that can be developed around a simple blog.
And money? Of course money is part of the equation as well…
superjason
April 12th, 2008 8:19 am
I blog because it gives me a chance to formalize and think through my ideas. If I don’t get them into a post, the don’t always get organized and I lose the benefit.
Hope that makes sense to someone!
Terra Andersen
April 12th, 2008 8:20 am
I loved this article. Writing is such an outlet on so many levels. It really helps anyone get to know theirself and their own abilities better than they thought they could.
Blogging in itself is a great way to meet others, in addition to establishing a wonderful personal brand. Not to mention.. it can be done from anywhere.
Thom Allen
April 12th, 2008 8:29 am
I write stories, mainly, because I want to get them out of my head and on paper. I want to share them with as many people as I can. I write in my blogs for the same reason.
Joy
April 12th, 2008 8:53 am
I started blogging in 2002 as a form of escapism, then it turned to a hobby that led to my new career that couldn’t be more disconnected from my college degree. For our food/cooking blog, it all started as a way to share our passion for food to othersand to find other foodies who are as crazy about food as we are; plus our families were getting sick of all the food photos we’ve been sending them last year. We enjoy the sense of community among food lovers and home cooks, and we’re all learning from each other. We’re putting in a lot of time into the blog that it’s almost like a second career. But we’re not complaining because it’s something we love doing.
Lisa Irby
April 12th, 2008 9:21 am
Definitely for escapism and love of writing. I’ve been writing since I was 10 or 11 and I remember plunking away on my Apple IIC in the 1980’s writing short stories. So blogging and writing content just became second nature and an extension of my past.
Jessica Bond
April 12th, 2008 9:57 am
Great blog topic! Certainly thought provoking.
Jessica Bond’s blog was created in lieu of the traditional newsletter to promote healthcare recruiting business.
It has evolved into an identity of its own.
http://jessicabond.blogspot.com
Jennifer
April 12th, 2008 10:44 am
I write because I am a writer…a word smith.
I need to detail concepts precicely and in a way that often alludes verbal conversation. As a writer, I know that the reader has ultimate power of interpretation. Sometime I do not allow much room for logical interpretation by providing indisputable meaning and clarity with pointed descriptions of the concept at hand. However, at times, I recognize my work as an art form and allow for the reader’s imaginings to project upon the piece his or her mind’s natural bent.
I write because I have something specific to say about something specific. I write because I regularly receive praise for my concepts and the way in which I write about them. I love praise and admiration, so I continue to write for selfish reasons, I suppose. I also need to do what I can to help other human beings put the Human Experience into terms that make it all okay. I provide solutions to philosophical dilemmas.
Luke Harvey-Palmer
April 12th, 2008 12:24 pm
I write in the hope that someone is listening…
Terrie
April 12th, 2008 3:33 pm
From the time I was very young, I have loved the written word. Words still have a mesmerizing affect on me. When written words evoke emotion, invite laughter, impart beauty, offer hope, expose evil, or change the hearts of men, it is nothing short of a miracle.
With words we write our own stories, and by them we read the stories of others. The stories are important. The process itself is often excruciating. I never feel that I am quite done with a piece. A word adjustment here, a polishing or tightening up there. But it is worth it. Because of the words.
Aaron from Webspear
April 12th, 2008 3:48 pm
I write for a number of reasons
- writing is a platform to share my views
- I am a software developer and I like programming, writing is a constructive process like programming
- that gives immense satisfaction upon completion
- English is not my first language, writing allows means to get better with my language skills
- Writing allows you to become a better marketer
Jeff Hoard
April 12th, 2008 4:57 pm
Great Stuff Mu!
I started writing as a way to release my anger and frustrations. After a few years I still do that on occasion, but I am a much happier person now, especially after working with you for two years. HA!
No, good stuff, thanks for leading me to this.
Scott Sweeney
April 12th, 2008 7:34 pm
I write blogs mainly because, after 10 years writing songs, I was looking for another outlet.
Blogging has given me that. Not just on my personal blogs, but others as well.
Great post!
John
April 12th, 2008 8:05 pm
Great post!
I am always amazed at the different reasons why people have chosen to blog. However, the thing that is always constant is the need to communicate and build a community.
My reasons for blogging are not very different, well except the making money part. I have made very little, but I am still as passionate about blogging as I was when I started last year.
Craig Garber
April 12th, 2008 10:17 pm
I write for the same reason Michael Jordan played ball. It’s something I’m good at, and something that offers me increasingly robust paydays, fresh new opportunities, and in a small niche, some notoriety.
It’s also something I enjoy doing, and even if I stopped getting paid for it, in some way it’s become a part of me I’d always incorporate into my life, somehow.
Lastly, it’s a lot more entertaining and engaging for my wife and kids to say “My husband (dad) is a writer,” as opposed to what they used to say back in the mid-1990’s, which was… “My husband (dad) sells life insurance!”
Clever post, thanks.
Bujes
April 12th, 2008 11:53 pm
I write because I want to improve my writing skills and make some money from my blog. It is also great to meet some people and brand my name.
Juha Ylitalo
April 13th, 2008 12:22 am
I write because I wanted to have better time to inform people about new photo albums in my website. After a while, I started to write blog posts from individual images as well and here I am now with three blogs. Two of them are in finnish (one without any niche, one about taiji in Finland) and third one is in english (about photography and Finland).
soultravelers3
April 13th, 2008 12:42 am
I write because we travel the world as a family on an open ended trip and we learn so much on so many levels that I want to share that with others.
People have been telling me to write a book my whole life and this amazing experience will finally get me to do that. I tend to like to edit and edit my writing before publishing, but blogging on the move has not allowed that and it is freeing in many ways.
I find I enjoy the process much more than I ever expected and connecting to people through the blog has added so much to this rich experience.
Anne
April 13th, 2008 1:12 am
I am a writer, it’s what I’ve done my whole life. I’ve made a career of writing and became an authority in my industry by writing two books. It’s part of my identity as a person.
Beckster
April 13th, 2008 1:21 am
I just began blogging a few weeks ago, with no real expectations outside of an outlet for my thoughts. Needing some sense of understanding of ‘how this whole thing works’ I was directed to Problogger and have been happily crusing other blogs and learning a few tips here and there.
HOWEVER, beyond all that, blogging is providing an anchor to my day; for the first time in 30 years I am not reporting to a workplace or responsible to a stable of clients… this blog and my workouts at the Y are the two pieces of structure to my life as I figure out what I want to do next. It is also helping me organize my thoughts on a daily basis. I’m really enjoying it, and as a few of my friends have begun reading it, they are surprised that I am willing to articulate this in the ethers - I assure them that NOBODY is reading any of it!
Thanks for the article - very affirming!
Denise
April 13th, 2008 2:07 am
I write on a lot of different topics for a lot of different reasons, but the reason I started my blog, Blessings from Above (http://www.blessingsfromabove2.blogspot.com) is because first, I want to remind others of the wonderful things that we have in life, the “blessings,” that we’ve been given. Second, when I write the blog, it forces me to focus on my blessings, too. As a result, I feel more postive and happier about life.
Blessings!
Denise
Michael
April 13th, 2008 2:29 am
I write because I love to, I get some kind of weird sense of accomplishment with taking my ideas and putting them down in text in a way that explains it as simply as possible.
I also write because I like telling others what I think and because my girlfriend was tired of hearing about the latest Apple product and why it would be terrible if Microsoft bought Yahoo.
Robert Stevenson
April 13th, 2008 2:32 am
I enjoy your style. As a mass comm. professor, I too enjoy blogging about writing. Your blog is very informative and well layed out. I look forward to my return visits.
SteveT
April 13th, 2008 2:49 am
I started blogging to keep track of my spiritual life on a blog alled Gethsemani Reflections. It was a mess, just like you said, but I kept with it, and then over time found a passion. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which means in day to day terms, I could expect a four day attack, once every two weeks. I’m talking about life stopping attacks.
Well, I’m on a mission to destigmatize the anxiety disorders. Stigma is what keeps people from getting the help they need, because they know how they will be judged, since they have judged others before.
I say enough of it. So I blog for my passions. My spiritual life. and the anti-stigma of anxiety disorders.
As to why I write? I have all kinds of stories all over this house, and probably in houses where I have lived. It’s fun, It’s life giving.
2ThePoint
April 13th, 2008 3:54 am
Hmm…that’s a good question, one which I’m not sure I can answer. It’s like when someone asks you, “so tell me about yourself” or “so what do you do for a living?”. I’m usually stumped. And I’m stumped now. But I’ll try:
- I write primarily to express myself
- I write to inform (I guess)
The other reasons, I don’t know - but the reasons are there nonetheless - just can’t wrap my tongue around ‘um at the mo’. But I write. And that’s that.
Ulla
April 13th, 2008 3:54 am
I like to write and I like to take photographs. So what I do in my blogs (one of them german/english and one of them english) is presenting some of the photos and write about them. That’s my city, that is the nature I love, these are the landscapes I like. It’s putting two expressions of creativity together. I am far off thinking to be able to earn money by blogging - I’ve got a job to live from.
Lawrence Salberg
April 13th, 2008 4:32 am
Stress relief. When it comes down to it, that’s the primary motivation. Writing about stuff helps me to get it out of my head, down on paper, er, webpages, and helps me to focus better on other things.
Having an archive of thoughts, even if a bit nutty at times, is nice to have. Also, knowing that my children will be able to read this stuff (and maybe even comment!) someday, is a bit of a comfort, too.
But when I sit down to write a post, despite all the other reasons already listed above, the primary one is to get something out of my head. Yeah, that might sound a bit too “Unabomber Manifesto-ish” to some who don’t understand it. Which is a shame.
Our children grow up not knowing how to write - and being made to feel ashamed of their ideas. They days of the essayist and the idea-man (Chesterton, Buckley, C.S. Lewis) seem to be declining, at least when it pertains to writing. Cultural commentary is reserved for experts: television media pundits, newspaper columnists, talk show hosts, singer/songwriters, and comedians. We, the common man, are constantly advised not to bring up certain issues in mixed company - which pretty much means in front of anyone.
And so, no one thinks anymore. No one analyzes. No one states the painfully obvious at times. And while there are those who think it is ridiculous to blog, there are those (like me) who find it increasingly shallow to keep a man’s opinions all to himself and are afraid to put their voice out there - just because they might later be wrong.
Sure, it’s great to make money from blogging, or to network (love it), or to help someone understand something, or to temporarily escape into the writing. But, for me at least, it’s mostly about getting the ideas and commentary out of my head out in a public forum where, over time, with good feedback, it helps me to form a worldview that is increasingly consistent. I suspect that for many other bloggers it is also a primary motivator, even though some of them, knee-deep in AdSense shenanigans, may not realize it.
jcorn
April 13th, 2008 5:40 am
I can’t help it. I’ve always written and my first impulse was for creative expression. Just as artists feel compelled to express themselves through art, I felt more “myself” when I wrote. It led to self-discovery and then I realized that some of what I discovered could be shared with others.
After awhile, I started getting paid to write but the FIRST impulse? It was sheer joy, no pay (although I did win a set of encyclopedias as a kid) and having to reach a wider audience.
Writing felt like my calling. It still does.
Suzann
April 13th, 2008 6:55 am
What an excellent post. I started writing in grade school, and just kept going. Why? All I can say is, a pen in my hand and a blank piece of paper on the desk, and the writing just has to happen.
As an adult, I write journals, online journals, blogs, websites, and for a while I was writing songs - music, lyrics, arrangements. Why? Great question. I feel like that’s who I am. Pop psychology would have us believe that we shouldn’t identify who we are with what we do - but … oh well, you know?
I just finished writing a novel, and it was something I’d been planning to write for many years. It took on a life of its own. The main character became so real I almost thought I was her!
Another reason for writing - you mentioned this and it struck a chord with me: community. How strange. Writing is a solitary activity! But here we are, in community, sharing ideas and feeling like we have a strong bond.
All I can say is, thank heaven for the 21st century. I remember the days of the IBM Selectric II. I thought we were ready to shoot for Mars. My Queendom for a laptop!
Karrie
April 13th, 2008 7:33 am
I started blogging because it seemed a good move to get traffic to our wedding film site, but almost immediately I realised I love it. As wedding videographers we see everything behind the scenes, from preparations through to entertainment, and there are many great original ideas out there.
I am now going to categorise the blog into several wedding related categories to help brides and grooms and guests plan for the day, and even have fun with general thought-provoking topics.
I have set up Google alerts for several of my proposed topics and that has helped me learn even more about my industry.
Just added a wedding day blog page where newly weds can read messages left by guests after their wedding - from their honeymoon if they like.
The world really is your own personal oyster with a blog, and I am just looking forward to finding more and more pearls.
Keep up the EXCELLENT (not just good) work by the way Darren: INSPIRATIONAL!
georgette
April 13th, 2008 7:59 am
thank you for great insight
I got started blogging on vox, it was very easy, and allowed my mind to play and have fun, and after about 8 months realized that I needed more. It wasn’t the right format for me to share all of the things that went along with our adventures.
we are currently developing our wordpress blog, and I had no idea how much fun that could be! wow! and now as it turns out, with the new upgrades of wordpress, we are able to integrate our website, our blog, and connect our online community all into one! Thank goodness we just switched over, or we could never be accomplishing what we are doing. ;)
(hopefully launches within a week or so, keeping our fingers crossed) we learn everything as we go, shone and I, have learned coding, web designing, graphic designing, and photography, blogging, all by just the desire to do so. We are in our fourth year of planning and have been live for 14 months.
anything is possible when you have the passion and desire, writing also helps me share my love and hopefully re-lite some others passions who are fading out. I believe!
I write because I love to connect with people. I love to share my perspectives, and get others input. I love to learn, and I love to share things with others, inspirations, health, and anything else in life I am curious about.
Our website is for those 18 and over, so I am free to share my silly little brain, and the pictures that we take.
We take a lot of pictures for our website, which is another reason I blog:
to help navigate our ship through the internet, promoting my favorite artist ever, the love of my life!.
To share our adventures, and to find others who want to join, either as a member (subscriber), or as a participant( in pictures).
We walk in many different worlds, and our hope is to connect many different earthlings, to share inspiration, collaboration, and fade away the judgements when others are different.
We share our love for the planet, and animals, in a non pushy, celebrated manner. It is one of the underlying fuels for our worldy navigations. Writing makes it so easy to connect with others who have similiar interests. Our new blog is not even up yet, and I already have comments and a wonderful new collaboration. I love that!
We promote artists! of all kinds, and are so honored to collaborate with the majority of other artists we meet. So much can be done on the internet, so many introductions, connections, and love!
we love every second of everyday that we live! and we share it all, our adventures, explorations, festivals, sexual adventures, self expressing adventures, life is here to be lived!
thank goodness for blogging! the greatest way to share and get all of the benefits, just cause: internet trafficking, google searching, etc., and learning more everyday
wishing you all a magical day
Teri
April 13th, 2008 8:53 am
I write because I have something to say. At some point in my early career, following graduate school in American Studies and as a writer for an alternative weekly, I realized that I was developing my own perspective and convictions. In discovering new places about which to write (in my case, New York), I enjoy conveying a sense of being there, in the fullest meaning possible.
Lily
April 13th, 2008 9:00 am
I write because I have always written. I have diaries from when I was 7 years old! I have a constant inner voice that narrates everything and generally chatters so if I don’t give it something to talk about it’ll drive me nuts!
Of course writing is self-expression, creativity is at the heart of me. I have a need to express what’s inside through writing and music and more recently art too.
With In Love With Lisbon it’s about sharing my love of the place as well as providing practical information. My other site (This Dreaming Heart) is a creative and spiritual journey that anyone can peer into. The best that can happen is that something I have said or created touches someone and evokes a response or recognition. Essentially I guess for me it’s all about making a connection…
Charles Smith
April 13th, 2008 4:44 pm
I write because I want to share what I love. It has even paid off in the sense that I am becoming better at what I love (rally racing) because I’ve written How-To articles related to it. Although my audience isnt vocal just the thought that I am trying to teach someone something makes me want to get that much better at it.
Writing has even provided me with a form of entertainment and reasons to go out and do things that I wanted to do anyway (just so i could write about it).
Andres
April 13th, 2008 4:54 pm
I hate spam so much that I developed a system to not use email filters and not receive a single spam.
http://www.safecomputer.org/email-solution
I found only one problem with my strategy and is that Gmail apparently has a limit on the number of different emails you can refer in one account, but anyway, the email could be forwarded to any other account, but in this case, the headers should be rewrited to answer with the original sender address, because Outlook Express only use real email addresses to send email, not forwarders.
But this is a solution to the spam problem once and for all, without filtering email and not receiving even 1 spam message, and it only takes a little work to add your contacts.
Ross Calloway
April 14th, 2008 2:08 am
Aside from just the fun of making a point or position on a subject of the day, usually political in nature, writing about issues important to me does a couple other things for me. I am challenged to make the point with as few words as possible, and it serves as a pressure release valve. A blood pressure release valve.
RMiklos
April 14th, 2008 6:32 am
I think writing is a great possibility to find and to get to know many interesting people.One advantage is that I can share my problems or my happiness.What is more,you may have a lot of theory.Writing is one of the best thing in the history and the net give me a good chance to use it better.
seanchk
April 14th, 2008 7:36 pm
Great post !
I started writing to make money, my first blog (long since gone) was a parody news site and I made quite good money from it, but I got burned out a bit and abandoned the site (boy was that a mistake!) At the moment I write to try and motivate myself, rather unsuccessfully at the moment….
Ignacio Silva
April 15th, 2008 4:03 am
I think most of us write because we want to. Otherwise it won’t be blogging, it would be ‘work in our job’ :-)
Personally, I work in the telecoms industry and you need to be up to date with news, technologies and trends, and that motivates me to write about it: technology, Web 2.0, Semantic Web, etc.
I also write because, I used to dream about being a writer (as a kid), so this is my closest approach to that.
stargazer
April 15th, 2008 12:39 pm
I’ll be practical.
It’s true that I write because I want to. It makes me improve my writing abilities, my competence in other fields of writing and the like. But when I speak of blogging, I want to learn more about making money through it. After all, it’s a decent thing though–making money through my hobbies is quite interesting. However, I still have to learn the tips and tricks on effective blogging since I am still a beginner in the field.
Erik Soderblom
April 15th, 2008 8:54 pm
First off all, I think its deeply embedded in all Bloggers, that writing is Gooooood !!!
At least thats what drowe me to start blogging…
The personal branding is evident, since I’m using my familyname (www.soderblom.dk), but that also calls for maintaining a certain amount of quality (hmmm… Objectivly… ;-) ???).
But I honestly believe that I have something worth sharing !
It’s a variety off material like running and training advices (I’m a certified physical trainer), my travelling logs, stuff thats primarily off interest to the closest family, and so on…
I wrote a lot about the birth of my youngest son Silas, and though it’s very personal and family related I’ve had many hits and positive comment to it, from couples about to give birth them self.
The majority of my blog is filled up with my Running Diary and honestly, it’s not that interesting to anyone else.
But keeping it out there in the bloggosphere helps keep the motivation.
And I always write about the races I’m in. The atmosphere, the track, the people, the event and so on. And that might inspire someone else to take up running… (?)
Making money ?
There are less off us old vikings, than there is people in NY !!!
(Personal Military service in Croatia, Bosnia, Irak, Namibia, Afghanistan (My son just came home from Kosovo and is about to leave for Afghanistan) (A Viking tradition !))
So writing in Danish, as I do, leaves me only with a limited amount off people that can actually read what I write…
And therefore the monymaking is not that great, but it pays for the hosting, though.
I’m also using my blog to advertise my experiences with Linux (before: SuSE. now: Ubuntu) and then I love tweaking with the PHP on my Wordpress installation.
I think I’ve covered why I Blog :-)
ies
Terry Finley
April 18th, 2008 11:52 am
These are all good reasons,
but some cannot help but write.
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