Note to new readers: This post is part of my 52 Weeks Of Writing Practice. I am allowing blocks of 10, 20 or 30 minutes of my day solely to putting my swirling thoughts on paper. My writing buddy Kat and I (Wruddy for short), follow the strategies outlined by Natalie Goldberg’s in Writing Down the Bones. We let the stream of consciousness flow without stopping to think.
“The deepest secret in our heart of hearts is that we are writing because we love the world. And why not finally carry out this secret out of our bodies into the living rooms, porches and backyards and grocery stores. ” – Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down The Bones, Chapter titled “Why Do I Write?”
Why Do I Write? Natalie asks and naturally I have to post a response. I am going to let it rip right here right now. And remember this is merely writing practice!
Get set, and go!
I write because I like reading myself. Yes I do. Reading myself gives me so much clarity and gravity and sanity it fills me with pride to be able to express my thoughts down. Written words. It occupies space and has weight. It has mass and energy.
I write because I don’t have much time left and I feel that I need to leave something behind for my kids to read. I want my kids to get into my head, get to know how my mind and my heart work together and how fiercely and unconditionally I love them.