Chuck Wendig’s FLASH FICTION WRITING CHALLENGE: WHY I WRITE
Photo Courtesy of humintell.com
As long as I can remember, I loved putting words to paper, expanding on the great mysteries or the miseries of my young life. It was a way to get my point across without being shushed.
Introduction to the magic of words came early for me, as my mother was a voracious reader. She belonged to more than one book-of-the-month-club and even as young children, we were fortunate she passed the books to us, without censorship.
In between those many pages, I met a world of different people. Their words painted vivid pictures and gave breath to the hopes, fears, and dreams of a girl. In spite of her love of the written word, my mom repeatedly warned me, “Don’t ever put anything in writing; you don’t want others to see.” Perhaps mom’s voice was the words from her books.
It would come later as a young, naïve girl before I understood the damage others could do when words are misconstrued, distorted, taken out of context or endure the deep cut of betrayal. I learned the hard way and after that hid my words away.
I’m an average woman, professional in background, a mother, grandmother, wife, friend, and a writer. I write now because I have a voice, and I can.
- I write for catharsis, a purging of past sins, regrets, hopes, and dreams.
- I write to share what knowledge and experiences I’ve acquired with those I love, hopeful they’ll be spared a wrong turn or learn the joy of sunny days.
- I write to voice my opinion, my values, the very things I believe make the world, and us better people.
- I write not that, in the end, my singular voice matters more than others do, or will move mountains, but perhaps, it will become one of many and create a chorus of positive change.
- I write to expand my imagination and free my demons; we all have them.
- I write to bring pleasure and encourage others to stretch their word wings, tell stories, real or imagined.
- I write to leave a legacy to those I leave behind. Egotistical perhaps, but I want to surprise them. “That was mom? Sheila? She did that?” I don’t want to be forgotten or remembered only in faded photos or as the name on a bronze marker.
I write because I believe words have power. The power to move people, change them and change the world. After years of writing by a stream in a cow pasture, hiding my words from the world, between the pages of a worn-down journal, I have found my voice, and so I write.
COW PASTURE CHRONICLES 
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For years I wrote poetry. It was a nice way to free demons and share philosophy, but often sad and depressing (according to my wife). Then a neighbor, who has been published 15 times in the Chicken Soup books, introduced me to a writers group. Shortly thereafter, I discovered I had a talent for writing humor and making people laugh. I’ve found it to be extremely fulfilling and am now working on my second book of short stories.
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Wow, I’m impressed. I love to read stories laced with humor. I’d love to read some of yours. Depending on what I’m working on, I’m told I have a great since of humor. But, I’ve yet to really explore that in a short story. I may have to give it a shot. Thanks for commenting.
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I write to amuse myself, to make sure I don’t go insane, and because some days, the words take off and carry me forward. 🙂
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Boy, can I relate to the insanity part of your comment. Lol. Some days it’s like a valve has been pushed releasing hot “everything,” Thanks for commenting. I’m glad you liked it.
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After 9 years and a lot of confused writing, I put my journey and struggle in book form. It will be published shortly and available for inspiration and judging. I tell everyone I know that the best form of therapy is that of journalling. I have done it for many years and finally have made sense of what I was trying to say. I have been encouraged to dig deeper and reveal the real story but, I must decline for it will erupt a volcano in many that will be best not exposed to the world. Sometimes things are more hurtful to share than not to share. I will however after all of these years of hiding my true passion, I will write and create and live a passion that has been hidden for far too long.
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I understand where you’re coming from as to exposing our truths. I am 40000 words into a story based on the real story but we’ll see. I may yet pen the truth. Best of luck on your book. I’m so glad you stopped by the Cow Pasture and so happy my words resonated with you. Thanks.
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Reblogged this on William Chasterson.
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Wow, thanks William for the reblog. I’m grateful you found my words moving. So glad you stopped by the Cow Pasture.
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Sheila, thank you for sharing a bit of your heart. Your feeling and thoughts run parallel to mine in many ways. They reinforce the sensation I have when sharing my words, as quoted in this blog’s title: “There is nothing to writing. All you have to do is sit down at a typewriter – and bleed.” Ernest Hemingway
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And boy do I bleed. Thank you for stopping by the Cow Pasture and commenting. I’m glad my words resonated with you b
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“•I write not that, in the end, my singular voice matters more than others do, or will move mountains, but perhaps, it will become one of many and create a chorus of positive change.”
Oh my – LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Absolutely brilliant, sweet lady! #HUGS
Kitto
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for the support and
for commenting.
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