It’s a question I’m often asked: Why do you write?

Views like these help with bum glue!

In truth, I’m not certain. It’s not an easy question to answer. Part of me wants to say because I owe a lot to books and stories; they got me through childhood. Another part wants to say because I love the challenge of creating new worlds and characters, the chance to act and react in ways outside my own experience.  I guess the most honest answer is that writing is something I’m compelled to do and if I don’t, I feel like the world has gone awry.

I’ve been experimenting on Twitter with a hashtag #ReasonsIWrite. I’m always interested in other people’s motives and their approach to writing, and I thought it might be a good way to get other writers to open up, let us know what drives them to keep their daily routine of putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard.

Here are a few of my favourite replies so far…

Because I can’t juggle. #ReasonsIWrite Or play the piano… 😉 Mostly, I breathe in & writing enables me to breathe out. — Carol Lovekin (@carollovekin)

I write to express with creativity my thoughts throughout my life experiences. It helps lighten the load. Simply – #ILoveArt — Sherri (@inspireme39)

#ReasonsIWrite Because I’d end up in jail for the things I do to my characters if I did them to non-fictional people. — Dina James (@dinajames)

I can write about what I wish to happen or what I wished happened or create a whole different tale all together. #ReasonsIWrite — Annie Gray (@AnnieSoulFire)

#ReasonsIwrite: it’s my passion. I don’t really care about becoming a pro: what I aim to is reaching my own audience, however small. — Sara (@dasteroad)

So, why do you write?  Do any of the above resonate?

Please reveal your own reasons in the comments below or via Twitter (using the hashtag #ReasonsIWrite) – we’d all love to know!