Why We Write

Last week I wrote about how writing is, in essence, a competition. Not cut throat or mean spirited (or at least it shouldn’t be) but there are definitely a limited number of publishing slots for a large number of writers who would like to fill them.

But many of us, especially authors who are writing from a Christian perspective, see our books as more than a potential career. It’s our ministry. Our calling.

For each of us, that calling is different. Some purely want to make a difference in someone’s life via their writing. Others make sure there’s a salvation message in each of their books. Still others view their writing as purely their career, a way to make their living. There are probably a million other reasons people have to write.

For me, my heart’s desire is that I give my reader true entertainment that allows them to laugh, escape, and de-stress from the craziness of life, all the while weaving a spiritual truth throughout that is neither too vague or too “slap them over the head.” My books might not be this monsoon bestseller that spreads across the globe and impacts millions (although that would be okay… ha!) but if I can make the average woman reader smile and grow closer to Jesus, if I can help give the gift of comic relief to that mom who desperately needs a break from her screaming kids, then I’ve done what God has called me to do.

Because I’ve been that woman. I’ve been the person who just needed a good book to escape to, needed that important lesson it taught me. I’ve been about ready to pull out my hair, but put the kids to nap and pulled out a novel and felt a little better. It wasn’t about my life being forever altered, it was about helping my sanity to survive another day. Goodness, it still is!!

Discussion: Why do you write? Or maybe a better question, what do you hope to accomplish with your writing?

If you’re not a writer, what are you doing to make a difference, and what difference do you hope it makes?