In a world where AI can generate all kinds of content with a few clicks, the importance of writing as a life skill and valuable craft is often trivialized. Today, I reflect on why I write and urge all writers to do the same.

October 20 is National Day on Writing in the United States. This initiative of the National Council of Teachers of English aims to draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing, and to help make writers from all walks of life aware of their craft.

As I ponder the reasons why I write in 2026, I look back at the role writing has played in my life and I also look ahead at what the future holds for me as a writer.

My history as a writer

A couple of years ago, I shared my troubled history with writing in a guest post I wrote for Cecilia at The Kitchen’s Garden.

I invite you to read the whole post but I’ll give you the synopsis. After a high school teacher told me I was a terrible writer and should just “stick to typing” I shied away from writing for most of my adult life. As my 55^th birthday approached, I realized every job I’ve ever had involved some form of writing. At a bit of a creative loose end, I decided to try my hand at blogging. I’ve never looked back.

Over the past seven years, I’ve written close to 1,000 blog posts. I’ve also written several articles for industry publications and a chapter in the Retirement Coaches Association’s Retirement Voices anthology.

Wanting to stretch my writing capabilities, I tried my hand at poetry, a short story, and a children’s story.

There may even be a book in my future.  

So despite what that high school teacher told me, I am a writer.

If AI is writing for you, you’re not a writer

In a world where AI can generate all kinds of content with a few clicks, the importance of writing as a life skill and valuable craft is often trivialized.

In a recent piece on No Sidebar, writer Heather Spiva nicely summed up my thoughts on using AI to write for us.

If I didn’t write it, “the machine” wrote it, which means I can’t take credit for it. I’d rather let my brain work, thank you very much, and write every single word in every article, essay, or blog post I will ever write for the rest of my life, even if it takes days, weeks, months, or years to do it.

Heather Spiva

AI can be a useful tool in many areas of life. However, if you’re taking the easy way out and letting AI do your writing for you, you can’t call yourself a writer.

Why I write in 2026

So why bother writing at all? Why not outsource the writing to AI? Who would even know?

There are three main reasons why I write in an AI-obsessed world:

• Writing offers a creative outlet. Scientists reveal creative pursuits are good for our mental health.
• The world is a little crazy right now, and writing helps me make sense of what’s going on. Putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard lets me think issues through, form an intelligent opinion, and sometimes even change my point of view.
• One day, I won’t be here any more and the pieces I write are part of the legacy I will leave behind. Although they might not be interested now, I hope these little bits of wisdom written in my authentic voice may be of interest to my daughters in the future.

Above all, I truly enjoy writing. Why would I outsource an activity that gives me pleasure to AI?

What are your thoughts on the importance of writing as a creative pursuit in a world of AI? Why do you write? Drop me a comment below to let me know.