Why I Write

I've been writing since I was nine years old. I started writing because I am a rule follower. Writing was assigned in school. I wrote what the teacher wanted to read. At nine, my mom bought me my first notebook. This is where the fun began. Now, my audience was me. I didn't have to answer someone else's question or prompt. Still, my writing followed a traditional diary format. Each day I wrote about my day and not much more. I wrote poetry too. As I grew, I wrote about my dreams.

College was when my writing helped me figure out problems. I'd write when I was lonely. I'd write when I was confused. Writing always helped me feel better. I remained my only audience. No one else got to see those words.

As an adult, I took more risks with my writing. I tried more poetry and a little bit of fiction. Writing became a friend...ever by my side. I brought my writing, my notebook, with me wherever I went. I never felt alone again. Writing always had my back.
 

The Northern Virginia Writing Project changed me as a writer. This group gave me an audience...encouragement...and courage to share my story. The NVWP showed me that I had a story to tell and nudged me to write. For the last ten years, I've continued to write but now I write for more than just me. I blog. I write for my students. I share my writing.

Why do I write? I must. I have a story to tell. Writing forces me to reflect, which in turn helps me grow as a teacher and as a person. Writing helps me untangle life. Writing gives me time to observe things happening around me through my words. Writing allows me to express myself. 

Three years ago during a Twitter chat, I read a tweet by Penny Kittle that sparked the creation of this blog...

This is why I write. Please take a moment and celebrate the National Day on Writing, October 20th!

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.