I read an article recently by another author about why they write. I’ve seen this kind of thing before. I read them and I am always interested to hear that other voice – the one that’s not behind the characters in the story – just the story teller in the raw.

That prompted me to attempt an article of my own. I should get it down in writing – that’s what writers do after all, right? I’d like to say “author” but I’m still not certain that label applies. I suspect story teller is closer to the truth. Getting it down on paper isn’t easy.

I am realizing lately that ideas are pretty easy to come by. I went into a notebook I have here at the desk labeled “writing ideas / outlines” and paged back through the topics and story ideas piled up in there. I’ve got enough in there to last me quite a while really. The ideas pile up, I write out notes about how to start and where to go with the idea and put it in the file. Ideas just seem to spring up from the most unusual places. There’s more to tell on the idea front, but I suspect that’s another post. Until then, if you want to find one of the funniest things I’ve read about ideas, I suggest you get a copy of It Came From Schenectady by Barry Longyear. It’s worth the read.

So, I have the idea and then what? I have to share that idea. I need to tell somebody that story. That’s the hard part! All the typing and anxiety and dashed hope, it’s not easy. I wish there were some muse or driving incident that made me want to write. Some particular day when it all clicked and I just burst from the gate and into something amazing. I’d like to say it was some long ago fantasy of mine to be an author, but that’s not at all true. It has built over time. It has grown and I’ve made an effort to develop my skill set. Success is really for somebody else to judge. All I can do is work at it. Heck, I’m still not sure I can pull it off – but I need to try. That’s why I write.