avatarAmy Shearn

Summary

The web content discusses the challenges and motivations for writing despite the ease of distraction and self-doubt.

Abstract

The article titled "Why Do You Write?" addresses the myriad reasons why one might avoid writing, such as its difficulty, potential to cause annoyance, and the allure of alternative entertainment like Netflix. However, it also acknowledges the compelling reasons to write, including having a story to tell, sharing advice, seeking additional income, contributing to a conversation as a reader, or simply forgetting one's streaming service login. The piece invites readers to engage by sharing their own reasons for writing in the responses.

Opinions

  • Writing is acknowledged as a challenging activity that can cause frustration or dissatisfaction.
  • The article suggests that writers may be motivated by a desire to tell stories, offer advice, or supplement their income.
  • It implies that writing is a way to actively participate in a dialogue that one may have passively observed as a reader.
  • The piece humorously notes that the inability to access entertainment platforms like Netflix could inadvertently lead one to write.
  • The author seems to empathize with the struggle of maintaining a high standard in writing, especially after producing a piece of good quality.

OPEN THREAD

Why Do You Write?

Photo Illustration: Save As/Medium; Source: Getty Images

There are so many really good reasons not to write. It’s hard. What you write may annoy someone. What you write may annoy yourself. There’s so much good stuff on Netflix that you can watch instead of writing. What you write might turn out to be no good. What you write might turn out to be very good, but then you just have to figure out how to write another thing that good because you’ve raised your own stakes.

But if you’re here, you’re probably — oh dear — a writer, or at least writer-curious. Why? Do you have a story to tell? Advice to share? Are you looking to make some money on the side of your job as a doctor or data scientist or birthday party clown? Are you a voracious reader who wants to enter the conversation you’ve been listening to your whole life? Did you forget your Netflix log in?

Tell us in the responses!

Open Thread
Writing
Creators
Creativity
Writers
Recommended from ReadMedium