If you’re a writer looking for encouragement and help with your writing, you’re in the right place. This month, see replies to my query of fellow authors.
Inspiration for your Day
People write for a variety of reasons. Some to educate, entertain or inspire. Erma Bombeck wrote her books to share the humour in everyday life situations. One of those books is If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits? Even the title evokes humour.
I asked people in my Facebook group what they write and why. Here’s a collection of their responses.
Sandra Wilson: “I write children’s stories and I write them to inspire conversation with children on some topics that may not be that easy to talk about.”
Linda Stauth: “I write light-hearted, fun, romantic suspense to bring laughter, encouragement and hope. Because life is tough and we all need an escape now and then.”
Kelly Peasgood: “I write fantasy novels because I enjoy exploring worlds and ideas (such as magical systems and creatures/beings only seen in myth, if at all) that do not exist in our world, yet can still teach us about ourselves and the wider world in a fun and adventurous way.”
Barbara Heagy: “Most of my writing is in journal or memoir form, written first for myself, and then shared on social media or published books for others as a source of inspiration, comfort, or perhaps a smile. We’re all in this together. Let’s share our lives.”
Alan Anderson: “I concentrate on writing more poetry now. I do this because poetry is a more effective genre for my main project. Poetry allows the poet to speak without using a lot of words.”
Donna Mann: “I hope women find my books to be inspirational. Although the Agnes Macphail series made it into men’s hands too. I also love to write children’s farm animal stories and middle-grade fiction.”
Ruth Meyer: “I write because I have that urgent need to do so just about every day. I’ve written three novels based on people I knew, because there are so many wonderful stories out there that need to be told and from which we can learn. There are so many things to write about and so many reasons!”
Lisa Hall-Wilson: “I write clean fantasy with noble heroes and hope-filled endings!”
Deb Elkink: “I write literary fiction with a theological twist, my stories full of travel and taste buds and tumult of the heart.”
Heather Wright: “…Other writing I do is “joywriting” (an expression coined by my friend’s son). Joywriting is just for me. It’s where I try new things, invent characters and stories, or just noodle in my journal with a warm beverage nearby. Right now, my joywriting is a screenplay–something I’ve never tried before. I’m loving every minute of the process and can’t wait to write every day.”
The questions proved to be popular and I received many responses. I will share more of those answers in the January and February newsletters. The replies showed many different reasons for writing, and choices of genres. I hope it inspires you to write or to keep on writing.
Carolyn R. Wilker is a writer, editor, writing instructor and storyteller from Kitchener, Ontario, with publication credits in articles, op-eds, devotionals, poetry, and her books, Once Upon a Sandbox, Harry’s Trees, Les arbres de Harry, Piece by Piece, Travelling Light and the most recent Discover Your Story.
Coming soon: a new picture book, Sophie and the Giant Boy.
Carolyn is also a contributor to anthologies including Grandmothers’ Necklace, Wisdom of Old Souls, Hot Apple Cider with Cinnamon, and Good Grief People.
She blogs at storygal.ca