[Discussion] Why do you write?

[gimmepie]

What do you get out of this strange hobby of ours? Why do you do it?

 

[Bay]

I write because I have many ideas in my head that won't leave me alone unless I write them. The process of watching yourself crafting words is also satisfying to see.

 

[Palamon]

I write as a form of escapism sometimes. A lot of what I write is because I need some sort of outlet, in ways. But, in other ways, I also write to create things with character in hopes it's done in a way that hasn't been done before, but I guess everything has been done before, in a way. For the most part, I write for me, and hope I can find an audience.

 

[Vragon2.0]

I enjoy it and have really grown personally invested in stories I write, since many hold aspects of my personality in them. I used to do it because it was the first chance for me to actually sort of make stories that I always had been. I've honestly thought of stories for most of my life, but writing was a way to refine and see them grow.

 

[bez850]

I write because I have an overactive imagination. Often times I can't keep myself focused on one project at a time, thus I often miss out on a lot of ideas or leave a lot of projects unfinished. Completing any of my writing is always a pleasure.

Specifically, I like world building. I tend to take a couple of weeks to finalize even a chapter (busy regular life) and even afterwards if I examine it too much I'll feel the urge to change it, but that's mostly because I'll get new ideas and sometimes it contradicts something I said earlier in the story. It's a mental chess match when you're trying to write a longer narrative, and that's a huge part of the fun.

 

[starseed galaxy auticorn]

It's not really just a hobby actually. I usually write because it's a good way for me to express myself. I have a tendency to struggle with both verbal and emotional expression due to autism... but yet when I'm writing, I found that the words come out much more easily and freely than when I'm explaining it verbally or emotionally. I've been writing off and on a long time before finally realizing sometime later how much it helps me and stuff.

 

[virtualpet]

It's a fun creative outlet and can be a lot less taxing than art sometimes, and I feel like I can still at least tell a story even when I'm going through writer's block.

 

[forg]

It's like a hobby of mine. Over the years writing and jotting down original ideas have taken over video games and have become my main pass time now. I kid you not when I say I have a dozen unfinished ideas and drafts of odd and original stories haha. I've always wanted to create my own world I could mold and characters I can control and bring to life.

That and it's helped me breeze through life's hardest moments. It kinda calms me and puts me in a happy place, you know?

 

[dewitlykefire]

I write because it was always my calling ever since I was a twelve-year-old. I started out with short stories and then now published my first fantasy novel many years later. It was always a hobby and I'll always see it as my greatest hobby.

 

[Mimicking Mimikyu]

I've always been good at it, I guess? I mean, I'm not particularly talented or anything but I've always been a daydreamer and I like putting that into words.

 

[Sikoh]

I had ideas for stories that I couldn't find so decided to do it myself.

 

[Juno]

it's a great money-saving hobby that stops me from endlessly browsing clothes online when I'm sat at the computer

 

[moon]

i've always been relatively good with words and felt at home in written works.

the things i can create with typing or a pencil are both immediately and long term satisfying. and Juno's point is a good one haha: it's such a low cost hobby compared to much else.

 

[RoyKinlaw]

I write because, first of all, it helps me to relax. And I have different ideas in my head, so I want to write them, turn them into the story

 

[EmeraldSky]

--It's enjoyable
--it's a way to let your imagination run wild
--it doesn't have to cost too much (just a piece of paper or a notepad app on your phone)
--it's a fun way to work with other people (brainstorming is both fun and easy with at least one partner to bat ideas around and get constructive criticism)

 

[ChrysalisM]

I personally write because it is satisfying. I don't care if it may sometimes be terrible. I just enjoy the process.

 

[DiegoBenda]

Many of the same reasons highlighted in the comments apply to me, though I would lean a lot more in the side of creative release than, say, escapism.