So Why Do We Write

 

This is not meant to be a treatise on the history of the written word.  That's certainly a mighty big task to put into a blog post. Besides there are libraries full of books, written by much more learned people than me, which delve in the written symbols and words of humankind. So please do not take me to task on my facts as they are actually only mildly relevant to this post.

But a mini lesson could be helpful, here it goes. 

We have records of picture images going back to the Paleolithic era. For the sake of simplicity I am going to lump drawing and written symbols together here.

If you have a chance to pop over to France and visit the caves in Lascaux you will find remarkable drawings over 20 000 old. You quickly realize these were draw to chronicle hunts, weapons and other daily affairs of the time.

The earliest known writing system was Cuneiform, which by comparison is a modern marvel, dating back between 3 500 and 5 000 BC.  This mostly represented agricultural output, contracts, religion and later, finances, law and government. 

So let's go back to the original question. Why do we write?

Well apparently, it's to convey meaning, communicate.

Whether it be a message such as "milk, bread, wine"...or something a bit more significant: "Dear John, I have run off with the cable guy. Dinner's in the oven?", there is a message we are trying to get across.

As this communication game has progressed, we have moved beyond simple messages. We use it to tell stories, chronical history, explain procedures, write up unintelligible Credit Card and Phone Contracts. Writing is used to express our feelings, foster emotions, promote fear. It's used to tell the neophyte how to make mashed potatoes.

It's found on diplomas, legislation, religious texts, medical diagnosis, traffic signs.

From the most basic STOP sign, to law books which line the walls in the Supreme Court, language is all around us.

But for all the different forms and versions of writing, there is but one motive, and that's to convey meaning.

Everyone is a writer of some sort.

But some of us give ourselves the title, Writer.

If you are a Writer with a capital W, you have another purpose, and that's to make your writing something that benefits others. Something the readers will use for practical purposes, or instead will carry them away from the practical into the world of wonder and fantasy.

If you are one of those, your task is move writing into creation.

  

It Takes A Village: Sometimes

 

Maybe one of a writer's greatest fears is that what they have written is not as good as they thought? I've written many stories where I had a good characters, and an interesting story line, but then wondered whether I was kidding myself. Perhaps it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. 

 Is it possible I am not as brilliant as I thought I was? 

So, what to do?

It isn't rocket science to see we need a second opinion, and a third and maybe a dozen more. Sure, we can ask friends to give it a read and see what they say, but that's likely going to be a wee bit biased, and make a whole bunch of people uncomfortable.

How about finding like-minded people to look over your work and give their take on it? That's the ticket.

The best way to do that is to join some writers groups. 

Currently I have two groups that meet once a week, to read, listen and critique each other's work. 

There are also lots of authors groups on social media such as Facebook, Linkedin and TikTok. Here you can just sign up, and join in when you see fit.

These are platforms where we can share stories, ask for advice, give suggestions and basically share our passion with others. It's a place for people to encourage each other and perhaps help them get back on track when they feel they are losing their writer's mojo.

I haven't mentioned specific groups, because honestly you need to do a bit of homework and check them out for yourself. They may not always be your personal cup of tea, and what I find helpful you may find smug and pedantic. 

Members may be well meaning, but they don't get your style.

The main thing is to find a group that you can trust to be honest and give helpful suggestions. 

Even if you don't agree with many of the comments, you may find new insight which helps you turn what you've written from being just another story, into a masterpiece.

John Donne said no one is an island. We can all use a bit of help and support, and if you find a solid group of writers who are serious about bringing out the best in each other, you've found gold.

There is a caveat, some people use an authors group the platform as a kind of speaker's corner. You'll know who they are soon enough and realize they aren't worth the time. 

In the long run though, when you find a compatible and helpful group, with whom you can share your writing, you will feel the benefit. Plus, you will be helping others to pursue their love of writing as well.