Writing Is A Choice by CJ Heck

"No one is asking, let alone demanding, that you write. The world is not waiting with bated breath for your article. Whether or not you get a single word on paper, the sun will rise, the earth will spin, the universe will expand. Writing is forever and always a choice - your choice."

~Beth Mende Conny

That's an interesting quote by Ms. Conny, and it's true. Nothing in the world will change if I write or don't write. Writing really is a choice, but it's a most interesting choice ...

I've talked to a lot of writers about why they write and those reasons are as varied as the number of writers I asked. Some write because it's their job and it's what they're paid to do.  Some write because it's a hobby and something they enjoy doing.  Some write because it's a challenge, maybe by a writing community, or a teacher in school.  Some write because they're in love and want to express their innermost feelings. Some 

write because it's a driving compulsion, a mental lava flow, if you will.   [I'm assuming this is the category the prolific Steven King falls into].  And still others write because they're uncomfortable with the words banging-clanging around aimlessly down inside of them. They just have to write and let the words come out.

The one response that was almost universal among them was that the ones who are serious writers write for the sheer love of writing.  All writers want to be good, and so unique, as to be able to write one thought, one idea, one poem, one story -- just one thing -- in such a new and wondrous way that they'll be remembered for it forever. I'm reminded of something Anais Nin once said:  "The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say."

As for me, I write for the sheer love of writing -- it doesn't really matter what I write. I do it because it's an addiction and I have to get the banging-clanging words and ideas out and into the daylight. I write to leave something of me behind, something that I hope is good, something so new and unique and different that my children's children's children will read it some day, smile, and say, "That was my great-grandmother.  She wrote that.  What a character she was. How I wish I had known her ..."

So true.  I think we all want to be remembered for our work.  Thanks so much for visiting us today, CJ!

Guest Blogger Bio

CJ Heck is a published poet, writer, blogger, and the author of three children's books, a collection of short stories, and her newest, a poetry book for adults. She is also a Vietnam War widow.

CJ has three daughters and eleven grandchildren. She lives and writes in Florida with her partner, Robert Cosmar, who is also an author.

For book excerpts, more information, interviews, or to invite CJ to your school, or organization, please call 352-299-5634 or visit her website, Barking Spiders Poetry.

Website:  http://www.barkingspiderspoetry.com

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cj-heck/17/312/b76

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CJHeck60

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/cj.heck1

https://www.facebook.com/CJHeckAuthor

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/C.J.-Heck/e/B000APRMC4

Blogs:  http://memoirsfromnam.blogspot.com/

http://cjswriterthoughts.blogspot.com/

http://knowingwhispers.blogspot.com/

Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/cjheck1949/videos

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5308345.C_J_Heck

Shelfari:  http://www.shelfari.com/cj_heck

Books:

Barking Spiders (and Other Such Stuff)
Barking Spiders 2 (sequel)
Me Too!  Preschool Poetry 
Bits and Pieces (Short Story Collection)
Anatomy of a Poet

Read Excerpts at Barking Spiders Poetry!