WHY I WRITE (HOLLY SCHINDLER)
I was a shy kid. Seriously shy. When I was little, I cried when my parents
took me to playgrounds because other kids were there and I was afraid of
talking to them.
Sometimes, I think that might be how it all started—it was easier to write than it was to talk.
I mean, it wasn't JUST the shyness. There's always been something about storytelling and books—it's always fit like nothing else. (I was also the kid who always had to have a new Little Golden Book every time I went to the grocery store with my Mom.)
But I also now have a handful of friends from college—friends I haven't seen in person for years but write to regularly. And I swear, with a few of them, I feel like we're closer now than we were when we saw each other nearly every day. There's just something about writing—you let people in in a different way. You tell them where your head is. You show them what's in your heart. And they respond in kind. You wind up "saying" things you never would have in person.
I do feel like I'm more me on the page than anywhere else. (In a way, I think all writers do.) But after years and years of emails, I have to say I think that even non-writers feel that way, too.
So maybe, in the end, we all write for the same reason (whether or not we’re professional authors):
To be known.
Sometimes, I think that might be how it all started—it was easier to write than it was to talk.
I mean, it wasn't JUST the shyness. There's always been something about storytelling and books—it's always fit like nothing else. (I was also the kid who always had to have a new Little Golden Book every time I went to the grocery store with my Mom.)
But I also now have a handful of friends from college—friends I haven't seen in person for years but write to regularly. And I swear, with a few of them, I feel like we're closer now than we were when we saw each other nearly every day. There's just something about writing—you let people in in a different way. You tell them where your head is. You show them what's in your heart. And they respond in kind. You wind up "saying" things you never would have in person.
I do feel like I'm more me on the page than anywhere else. (In a way, I think all writers do.) But after years and years of emails, I have to say I think that even non-writers feel that way, too.
So maybe, in the end, we all write for the same reason (whether or not we’re professional authors):
To be known.
You know, this is so true, I found myself slapping my head. Too often, we're told that email is impersonal and things can become misconstrued because written words lack cues like body language to the layers of meaning.
ReplyDeleteBut I do find myself revealing more of my inner self on social media (much to my sister's fury) and even on blogs, like this one. I don't know if that's good or bad but it feels necessary.
I have a few friends who are friends mainly via correspondence. And yes, the relationships have their own flavor and their own level of closeness.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that I related to this entire post. It was one of those how on earth did she get inside my head moments for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, I feel so much better presenting myself on the page than in person. I feel like it's so much truer to who I really am. I never feel so much like myself as when I'm sitting at my desk writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys. I never cease to be amazed at how many of us have exactly the same experience...
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Holly. I think people are drawn to social media for the same reasons, especially those who don't have some other outlet to be known. We're lucky to have a voice in the YA/kid lit world. :)
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