Saturday, September 8, 2007

Why I Write

This week's Sunday Scribblings prompt is "writing". I thought about how to approach it, what kind of angle to take, which anecdote to share. I decided instead that I'd rather step out of the prose for a moment and talk directly to the audience. Hi audience. My name is Robin. I'm a mother. And a wife. And an editor. And a lactation consultant. And a blogger. And a daughter and an employee and a colleague and a neighbor and any one of a hundred other titles.

What I'm not is a writer.

Writing is not my avocation, nor to be honest is it my truly my passion. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy writing, crafting words and verbal pictures, but the writing itself to me is a means, not an end.

I write to share my life and my experiences with others. I write to be part of a community. Many different communities. To be part of something larger than myself and my own small life. I write because I truly believe I would explode if all the words inside of me had no outlet. I am a "verbal" thinker. Where some people think in terms of pictures I have a constant stream of dialogue running through my head, just begging to be let out into the light of day.

In my "real", non-internet life, I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that I am a talker. I'm always happy for a chance to share a story or an interaction. I find it hard to sit quietly and not jump into a conversation. I'm not looking to talk in a vacuum, though, or to dominate a conversation. The verbal give and take, the taking time to be silent and really listen, is just as important as the information I want to put out there. To me, writing, and this blog in particular, is another version of that same conversation. It's a way to put myself out there, but even more, it's a way to invite you all in. I didn't enjoy blogging nearly as much until I knew that there were at least a few people out there listening, and even more, responding. I think at heart I'm a closet exhibitionist. I get much more satisfaction out of exposing myself publicly when I know that there is someone out there watching. (I'm betting the search engines are going to have a lovely little time with that last sentence. Boy is someone going to be disappointed...)

So please, come in. Pull up a stool (they're actually pretty comfortable) and find yourself a seat around the island. The food's good, the coffee's fresh, and the conversation is flowing. All that's missing is you.

17 comments:

Becca said...

I feel as if I'd had a nice conversation with you already!
You have a lovely way with the written word, whether you consider yourself a writer or not :)

Great post!

GreenishLady said...

I'm so glad I dropped in. Becca said it: Whether you call yourself "writer" or not, you are writing in an engaging way that captures the reader. I call that being a writer. I call it writing anyway, but if the reader is important, here we are!

Jo said...

CLAP CLAP, having met you a couple of times and talked to you many a time, I know exactly what you are like -- and yes, this is you. But you are also a damn fine writer. Articulate is articulate, be it with pen, keyboard or vocal chords.

Anonymous said...

Well, I just very recently found your site but I sure have enjoyed the way you write. =)

Scribbit said...

I think I've found this theme the most interesting so far--I love reading people's responses to a question I myself have give a bit of thought to.

And by the way, I think you can't escape the fact that not only are you a writer, you're a GREAT writer :)

Fairly Odd Mother said...

You always have great coffee and great 'conversation'!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

"I write because I truly believe I would explode if all the words inside of me had no outlet."
To me, you've rebutted your own statement - "What I'm not is a writer."

I'm also new to your blog but I've enjoyed what you've shared so far.

Janet said...

I accept your invitation :-)

Anonymous said...

I think you don't need to declare that you are a writer to be one. All your readers here, including me agrees that you're one great writer. In fact, I INSIST to tell you you are one very good writer whose style of writing I really love!

I wish I could sit on that island of yours and have a great conversation. Aside from giving long comments, I am also a talker :-)

Robin said...

Wow, thank you all. Seriously, wow. I really don't think of myself as a "real" writer, so I am really touched by your words. Just for that I'll put out some fresh-baked muffins to go with the coffee :-).

PS If you want truly excellent writing from someone who really is passionate about writing, visit Jo's blog (3rd comment here, sorry, I have no idea how to hotlink in comments). Her writing is top-notch. Go read it, and while you're at it vote for her short story too ;-).

Robin said...

(See, if I was a "real" writer, I would have noticed that I used real/really three times in one sentence! Egads...)

gautami tripathy said...

You are not a real writer but you still manage to hold outr attention with your post!

Jo said...

How very generous.....well you certainly know how to exaggerate LOL. And you are not only a very real writer but also a very real person, which is far more important! Jx

Pieces of Me said...

Each of our own special voices. Even if I live far away, I feel I can feel the love and find a connection, all through the click of a mouse.

Sometimes blogging intermediary voice isn't enough - so we find it through words. Your words gave that connection. That IS what writing is all about, my friend.

I'm enjoying your blog very much.Thank you very much for this.

Carol Anne said...

wishing I could really pull up a stool to your island!

Anonymous said...

For a non-writer you write well. But then again I find that writer's also tend to be good talkers and love to tell stories.

Tumblewords: said...

A well-written post - but you do that so nicely - it's like you're speaking and I'm enjoying the listening to you as well as the thoughtful process of sharing.