Why I Write

(Subtitle: Reminders To Self, In Times of Brain Lock)

By Susan

Sometimes I need a reminder to why I do this— the late nights and early mornings alone, the thinking, the writing, the editing. I now have this list posted close to my monitor for the tough times. Enjoy!

Susan, Susan, Susan. You write because you love it. Silent hours with a scratchy pencil. Fifteen minutes in front of a clicking keyboard with music thumping in your ear buds. Stolen moments when you pull over the car to write down a perfect sentence in the "notes" app of your iPhone. You write because you love to write. You love the words.

Second reason: you write because you have something to say. About human nature and relationships and the existence, perhaps, of God. You want to tell of places and books and men that you've loved. In the telling, you feel connected. Because other people relate. They read it, and love it or hate it or agree or disagree. But it ties you, you know. It ties you to humanity.

The third reason? You write because it feels good to get the words out of your head and onto paper. Simple.

Number Four: This brain lock thing? It doesn't exist. You think you are frozen because the words are hard. (Who said just because you love something it is easy? In fact, it is usually quite the opposite.) Because sometimes you throw it all away and start over, or because you are not clearly stating your point and must work for it. This means that you need to move. Take Lucy for a run. Scrub a toilet, or eat some pudding while you walk in circles in the kitchen. Practice your sun salutation on the back patio. You'll find that the words will come back to you. I promise.

Lastly, dear Self: don't let other's opinions, your failure or even your own success, or the busy-ness of your life ever get in the way of your "one thing." That "one thing?"

It is this.

Keep doing it. No matter what.