Nobody Cares, So Why Write?

Recently there have been stories, articles, or click baits about how “nobody cares” about why we write on Medium. Buying into that defeatist mind-set is just not an option for me. I have also seen criticism about the short biography submitted by writers usually entitled “About Me”, again stating that “nobody cares.”

But I do care. I care about reading stories by the writers I have begun to follow. I care about what motivates them to write. I care about what events have shaped their journey thus far and I care about what has brought them to this point in life where putting thoughts down gives them the satisfaction that we all seek in leaving a mark where we have been. Leaving our legacy in writing.

I write because doing so helps me work through some past events. The first story I submitted when I began writing on this platform was on a traumatic event in my childhood. (Molestation and the after-effects, “Targeted Child”, listed among my stories submitted.)

I write because I enjoy creating snapshots of daily life. Travel stories are always fun because travel presents endless opportunity for interaction with others. (My story “Surviving 53 Hours on Amtrak).

Working as a Certified Celebrant at a large funeral home gives me plenty of experience in working through some quite interesting family dynamics. (Message by Thunderclap”. ) Some I have written about, and some are yet percolating in my brain. You can read about the very real psychic messages that I have experienced as I have worked through the study of someone’s life as I prepared their “Celebration of Life” service, as well as some of my own messages received from deceased loved ones.

Over two decades of secondary school teaching with 12 of those years with very “at risk” gang kids gave me a wealth of experiences to mull over, and I know there are a few stories ruminating to be told soon.

But, again, “Why write”? There is always the fear of criticism, and the fear of rejection. No one gets rich writing. But as writers we are struggling to tell others who we are. What station we hold in life, and why that matters. And, we want to connect with those who want to know who we are and where we have been. We want to soar into new areas and see who connects with us. Already I value so many on this platform because of what I have read about them and about what they have chosen to write about.

Nobody cares? I just don’t believe that. Many of us are seeking new ideas, words, or phrases that unlock something within our own thoughts. For myself writing isn’t for money. And, apparently, that is a good thing as I can see that will not be the result.

Remember that writing makes your experiences seem more human, and helps us all to connect. Writing brings us together no matter if the story is true to life or fiction. Writing builds relationships with others regardless of you realizing it at the time or not.

In 1997, author Erica Jong wrote “The truth is we write for Love”. I believe this to be a very true statement. If you discover that you enjoy writing then you feel drawn to doing so, and you will find that no matter what, you cannot let much stop you from doing so. Keep writing with me, and I will keep reading what I can find on this platform that also uplifts, entertains, or educates.