Why I Started To Write
“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia” — E.L Doctorow
Since I was a kid, I have been extremely creative. I wrote poetry, I attempted drawing, wrote letters to my family, and wrote my first ‘novel’ at the age of five (my mum still has it). It is the natural Aquarius in me.
When I hit my teenage years, this creativity died a slow and pretty sad death but I know that creativity is still within me at the age of 23.
I had wanted to start doing something regarding ‘words’ again but I had been too nervous to begin blogging and afraid no one would read it, it would take me no where and that it was too cringy.
Come March 2020, the beginning of coronavirus lockdown, I decided to take the jump and begin writing again for a platform called Vocal. I have been successful enough to win a few competitions, this I how I know I am a good enough writer. But that was just a stepping stone, a little bit of writing practice.
As I write my first article for Medium, I intend to take writing more seriously. Hopefully, in the next few years I will be able to write an article along the lines of “How I Make £X,000 By Writing in My Spare Time” similar to the ones I have been reading about on the homepage and pulling tips from. Here’s why:
- To respect my inner child.
As previously mentioned, I used to write when I was young. Anything to do with words has always resonated extremely well with me. My favourite childhood author used to be Jacqueline Wilson and now that I am older, Lesley Pearce.
It dawned on me that just because I used to do that as a kid does not mean I need to stop now that I am older. Screw it if people don’t read it, I enjoy writing.
“If I can manage to write up to about a thousand words early in the morning, no matter what else I’m doing that day, I feel at least I’ve got some work done. Often I find my ideas are clearer then. It’s as if I’ve got all the imagination going through all my dreams as if it’s still there in my head. I think that’s a good writing tip to pass on. Write when you wake up.” — Jacqueline Wilson
2. To fill the time.
Time, as awful of a construct it is, there is sometimes too much of it on my hands. Throughout university sometimes I would sleep around 16 hours a day if I was REALLY bored. I regret this as I realise I could have spent this time writing (something other than coursework).
3. I have too much to say
I will admit that I am an extremely opinionated individual and will debate with anyone about anything, aside from politics. I have always been the friend who speaks the most and doesn’t realise that I’ve been speaking for England unless someone tells me.
A way to kick this habit, is to write. If I can get it out on paper or the internet, it stops me from babbling on in person and everything that I WANT to say floating around in my head.
4. To make money
Nearly everyone I know has a side hustle in this generation, a decent second income. I do not. It does make me feel slightly worthless and like I’m not making the most of life.
Of course, I want to make money and even though I do not expect to get rich overnight, I do hope to make a good second income from blogging/writing in the next few years.
5. It runs in the family
My Nan was a successful historian was a published novel. My Grandpa, a very successful playwrite. My dad has an infinite amount of articles published in newspapers and magazines around the world.
It’s my turn now.
“The scariest moment is always just before you start” — Stephen King