Why Do I Write?

Submission for Debate via Prose or Poetry Group . . . June 2025

“Why do I write?” You ask

“For the same reason I breathe!” I respond. 

For me, to write is to live. I write to understand myself and to understand others. I write to resolve my problems and satisfy my curiosity.  The first prose I wrote was about my best friend. The school assignment was to write a story where the first word in each sentence started with letters of the English alphabet, in order. The first three lines of the story read like this: 

Angela and I are best friends. But she lives 600 miles away. Can we still be friends?

I knew the start of the second line with the word “But” wasn’t proper English. But I didn’t care. ‘Oops, I did it again!’ (To quote the words sung by Brittany Spears, and written by Max Martin and Rami Yacoub. The writers deserve the credit, obviously.)  

And so my journey began that has carried me through this life. Sometimes I conform, sometimes I don’t. Isn’t that what life is about in the Free World? When I write, I’m my true self . . . Finally absolute.

https://youtu.be/CduA0TULnow?si=0iFaYk5gxlifkVAd

Reviews

[DIVYA]

Your writing is a very unique imprint of you. It wouldn't be wrong today compare it to a fingerprint, or even a DNA sequence. Its that unique an expression of a human soul. Our poetry, our words are our art and our life, our reasons for being. And most of all, for connecting with those who understand our words. Thank you for this very affirming write, LisaCarol. It was wonderful to read.

[LisaCarol]

Thank you so much for your review and kind words. You are so true, writing is an imprint of ourselves.

[DIVYA]

Absolutely. And you're most welcome.

[petec3638]

at least you are not usin local dialects > Like as wot i do sum times

I was teching a class of 17 - 18 yo apprentices
6 from SW Scotland 6 from Cumbria I Am from West Yorkshire (originaly called 'the West Riding' -- fiddding an l=old Engish meaning one third N, E, & W no South ridding what ever one writer wrote & one government made)
yes thats where i was the two groups thought it was clever to use local dialects'>>> I have ravellled much staying at YHA's & knew what they were st >> So i gave them a leture wi mi best Yorkshire dialect
They understiod 'I think its bait time One we laddie stopped 'Arye no gona speak in reight English - we didna ken watyer were saytin

truce was called .. I totaly agree wi usin dialects But one lad emigrated to Canada and another to Saudi Arbia .. any of you could go aborard in two or threee years when yo come out of your time

Now you sadi you were researching WWII hitory > I was 3yo when WWII broke out & I am beginning a story 'Wartime childhood' if yer interested
Pete

[Thomas W Case]

You nailed it. Powerful work.

[LisaCarol]

Thanks Thomas. BTW: read your poetry book and really liked it. Great work.

[carl]

Great story and explanation of why. The first poem I wrote was for an oral presentation in a college class somewhere around 1973 I was a late bloomer ) - It was free verse ( although I didn't know it at the time ) and it chronicled a high quest through Missouri woods with my Labrador. I enjoyed reading your explanation. I think it is really interesting to know why and how others approach their creativity - I often visit with other potters in our coop studio about what and how they are doing their work. -take care and be well - carl

[LisaCarol]

Hi Carl - thanks so much for your review and telling me your history as well. Like you, I enjoy hearing others experiences and stories.

[NelliKong]

This is why we do what love as creatives. Writing is a form of art and to be greatly admired. Using your words to creative a beautiful piece is a superpower. Why do we write? A great question that all writers love and have their own special reasons.

[LisaCarol]

Thank you for reading and reviewing my writing. I really appreciate the kind words and look forward to reading your writing as well.

[Lorry]

Reminiscent of my English teacher who used to scrawl on anyone's work that used but to begin a sentence, "keep buts out your mouth!" It surprisingly worked for such a working class school full of boys pretending they knew it all and were already men.
But like you I did learn (a little) and although I thought I was done with writing at school, I somehow returned to it in my twenties and haven't looked back since.
The art of writing has one valuable lesson to teach us all, think before you say it and that is the most valuable lesson of all.

[LisaCarol]

Hi Lorry - thanks for your comments. Funny how the lessons we learn at school actually stick with us sometimes. You are so right about what writing teaches us.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Wow! This is deep in why write, I started as a kid but not yet on paper no imagery friend just words from the sky I guess from my childhood words would help escape reality, ask grew up poetry was my joy, love this story because it inspired me to be a better writer.
Thank you for sharing

[LisaCarol]

Thank you so much for reviewing and providing comments. I look forward to reading your writing as well.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Yours is good never forget that, I'm stuck, but we can do better

[Michael Sun Bear]

You have written straight from the heart. You have written honestly of your own personal feelings and experiences. Those are the elements of great writing. Well done. I feel you.

[LisaCarol]

Thank you for reviewing and your kind words.

[emmajoygreen]

Your words are so very you, LisaCarol and thus, honest, sincere and sharing in lesson and tone. Words are magical, yes? They simmer for a long as needed to warm up to the heat required and then suddnely, 'HEY, WRITE ME!' nudges mind and more. Words such as yours gather unrequested admiration for and of your writing and.. the lesson it very gently offers. Many thanks, dear you.

[LisaCarol]

Hi Emma - Thanks so much for reviewing and your magical words. They always warm my heart and start my day with a smile.

[emmajoygreen]

You, dear friend, are a smile with busy fingers, feet, mind and ethics.. Tis more than a pleasure to know you!!!