Today, November 15, is I Love to Write Day – a great day to write, and to support your writer friends. To celebrate, today’s post is a personal reflection on my journey as a writer, along with 7 reasons I love to write, and where my writing might take me next.
What is I Love To Write Day?
Created by American author John Riddle in 2002, the aim of I Love To Write Day is to get people to write. You could write a poem, a letter, a blog post, a handwritten card, or start that great novel you’ve been thinking about. It doesn’t matter what you write. The idea is to just write something.
It’s also a great day to support your writer friends by reading their material, sharing it with others, and buying their work.
Knowing there’s a day set aside for people who love to write got me thinking about my own journey as a writer. It has been a bumpy road.
My writing journey
I always thought I was a pretty good writer until a teacher crushed my illusions when I was in high school. He told me I was a terrible writer and should probably just stick to typing. Now, I’m sure those weren’t the exact words he used but that’s definitely what my seventeen-year-old brain took away from the conversation.
Those words really hit me. That conversation destroyed any confidence I had in my writing ability. A powerful statement on the impact words can have on others!
Interestingly, throughout my career, every job I’ve had has involved writing in some form. Over the years, I’ve written procedure manuals, training materials, newsletters, website content, presentation scripts and financial education material. Despite the amount of writing I’ve done, I never really considered myself a writer.
Fast forward from high school to 2019 when, at a loose end, I decided to start this blog.
A few months into blogging, the lightbulb went on. I’m not a terrible writer. In fact, I’m actually pretty good at it. Honing my craft through this blog helped me to unlearn all those negative thoughts that still rang in my head from that conversation during my teenage years.
Before long, I realized I love to write.
7 reasons I love to write
So what is it about writing that attracts me and compels me to continue?
- Writing lets me share my unique voice and perspective. Yes, there are millions of blogs out there, and many others write about the same or similar topics as me. But, no-one else sees things exactly the same way I do.
- It’s a creative outlet. I love to sing but, during the pandemic, that came to an abrupt end. Blogging gave me an outlet for my creative brain.
- Writing is a marketable skill. Who couldn’t use an additional skill to add to their resume?
- It gives me a chance to help, teach and inspire others. The biggest compliment I get is “I learn so much from your blog”. That’s why I do this, and it’s why I’ll keep doing it.
- There’s so much to learn. I’m a passionate lifelong learner and I gain new knowledge from every blog post. I have learned so much from researching, writing, creating images, and just keeping everything organized.
- Writing is calming. During a time when the world seems to be turned upside down, sitting down to write creates an oasis of calm.
- It’s a way to leave a permanent record of me. At some point in the future, I won’t be around. Even if my blog and website are long gone, I hope my daughters might be inspired to read the working copies I keep on my computer.
Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.
Where will this journey take me next?
Thinking of my love for writing makes me ask, what’s next?
I’ve been taking the Plain Language Certificate program through Simon Fraser University with a goal of doing freelance writing as a retirement gig when I leave my full-time career behind.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to hone my craft on this blog for anyone who cares to read.
And maybe one day, I will write a book…
The biggest thing I take away from my journey is don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything! I often think of how that conversation with my teacher shaped my life. I wish I could go back and have a discussion with him on how things turned out.
Do you love to write too? Tell me why below.
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Positive posts about something someone enjoys always brings a smile to my face. 😁
I can relate to the start of your writing journey! I once told a teacher that I wanted to be a writer one day, and she said, ‘you should aim lower’. I have never forgotten those words and didn’t tell anyone want I wanted to do for years. I think I was 14/15.
I am glad you still pursued writing in different ways; that is an incredible portfolio. While it might not hold much weight, I, for one, think you are an incredible writer. I always find myself drawn into what you are writing.
I relate to many of the reasons you listed! Writing is such a great creative outlet, and I love the fact that I feel like I am learning something each day.
Thank you for sharing! 😊
Thank you so much. It’s amazing how those messages we hear when we are young can influence the direction of our lives.
I appreciate your kind words so much. Thanks for reading and commenting.
You are definitely not a terrible writer, in fact, many times you have inspired me and taught me something new. I am glad you are here and continue to share with us.
Aww. Thank you so much. You’re very kind. 💚
Absolutely loved reading about why you started writing creatively again and why you love it! Writing is one of the biggest ways I can share my thoughts and stories with people. I started writing to keep a journal so, ultimately, I write to keep in touch with myself too! 🙂
That’s such a great point Jaya. Writing definitely helps us to make sense of our thoughts and feelings. It is a great way to keep in touch with ourselves!
Michelle, you are a fantastic writer! I think a lot of writers have this same complex… Am I good enough? I struggled with this so much when I first started my near-year long journey of writing (as I’ve detailed much on my own blog). I constantly questioned why anyone would want to read my words rather than anyone else’s words. Then, bit by bit, I realized that I had a story to tell- lots actually. We all do. And each of us are unique- as you mentioned in your post.
One of the things that we all go through between childhood and adulthood is realizing that our parents were once individuals- with their own dreams, goals and wishes. I want my daughter to one day read (directly from me) my words and gain a window into who I really am (not just her mom).
Great post! 🙂
Thank you so much! It is daunting when you first start out. Like you, I wondered if anyone would care what I had to say.
Such a great point about our writing being able to give our kids insight into who we really are. My daughters know I have a blog, but they don’t read it. Maybe they will one day!
My husband is the same … he doesn’t really read it (although I think he secretly scans it every Wednesday to make sure I’m not talking poop about him LOL
What a fun theme for the day! I’ll make sure to get some writing in today. 😉I think you would make an awesome freelance writer and I hope you do write a book!
Thanks Suzanne. It is a fun theme for anyone who loves to write!
I’m so pleased that you write this blog.
For me personally, I always feel a sense of achievement because I’ve created something. 😀
Thanks Rachel. I agree that every post gives a great sense of accomplishment. And I love the sense of community and being able to connect with other writers from around the world.
So do I. 😀
This is a lovely meditation on writing. I agree with Helen’s comment about how much power teachers can have in our lives. It is what has made me very reluctant ever to be a voice teacher, for example. I agree that writing about something one is interested in is probably a key ingredient in becoming an inspired and inspiring writer. That is certainly what you have done!!! ps: I will at least write a birthday card to my nephew today and get it into the mail with a check. My blog is way overdue for a new post… Maybe I’ll start working on that, too. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Keep on writing and learning and sharing!
Thanks Will. There’s such a fine line between crushing someone’s aspirations and providing honest feedback. It’s difficult. At the time, I didn’t aspire to be a writer so I just let it roll off. It’s funny how those words have stayed with me over the years, though.
Good luck with your writing! I will look forward to your next post.
Congratulations on taking something negative told to you and making it positive. Many can’t let go of those hurtful words.
Thanks Judy. Honestly, my geography essay probably was terrible. It’s hardly the most exciting subject matter. As writers, I think we all do our best work when we’re passionate about the subject matter.
I didn’t know today was Love to write day! Sorry to hear about your teacher though — teachers have so much power and sometimes even without realizing it they can affect our entire future & what we choose to do..
Thanks Helen. It’s interesting, though. I hated writing essays in school so, from that perspective, I probably was a terrible writer. LOL But I was always good at more creative forms of writing. I suppose the one thing I learned from that teacher is—word choice matters!