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13 Reasons to Keep Writing in 2013

By Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund

I have to admit, there have been times when I've been tempted to quit writing.

We all face enormous pressures—such as family members who don't like what we're doing, the stress of juggling multiple responsibilities while trying to write, the frustration at how slow our career is moving forward, and disappointment in expectations that haven't been realized.

The list could go on and on.

The fact is, the writing life is hard.

And the temptation to give up is often strong for many of us.

As we begin 2013, I'd like to start the year on a note of hope—13 reasons why we should keep writing, even on the days when we'd like to give up . . .

1. Write because it provides an outlet for the other stressors of life.

2. Write because we love creating and telling stories.

3. Write because there are more opportunities for publication and success than ever before. If one door closes, there are still many options available.

4. Write because we want to be good stewards of the gifts and abilities we've been given.

5. Write because we want to challenge ourselves to do something hard but rewarding.

6. Write because we want to bring joy, hope, and healing to others through our written words.

7. Write because we appreciate the beauty of words and crafting sentences.

8. Write because we need to pour out the passion that resides deep in our hearts.

9. Write because it challenges us to use our brains, to think, and be intelligent.

10. Write because it provides a place where we can attempt to make sense of a sometimes crazy and painful world.

11. Write because it is a means for communicating universal truths.

12. Write because we find great joy in the creative process itself.

13. Write because we have to, because without it we'd be empty.

Notice I didn't say write for fame and fortune or for getting an agent or book deal.

Yes, those kinds of things are nice. I'm the first to admit I get excited whenever I get a check in the mail.

But . . . ultimately our writing success isn't measured in popularity, money, agents, or book deals. And if we're writing to get any one of those things, we'll likely be disappointed in the long run. Because eventually money gets spent, popularity fades, agents change, and book deals come and go.

However, if we're writing for any of the above 13 reasons, then we have motivation to keep going when everything else looks bleak and when we're tempted to quit.

Next time you feel like giving up, get at the heart of why you're REALLY writing and give yourself hope to carry on.

Share with us! What keeps you writing when you're tempted to give up?

39 comments:

  1. The two biggest reasons I write are to challenge myself and because I'd feel empty without it. It's nice to think about helping others through our writing as well, but at the moment, that's not a huge priority to me. I feel like my family is my first responsibility, and then there are others in my local community and church that God has placed in my life, and ministering to them is more important. Sometimes I wonder if that's a selfish perspective to have, that I essentially write for ME. But then my kids invariably need something and I remember that I can't afford to write for anyone else besides my family at the moment, because they keep me so busy.

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  2. Writing has brought a joy to my life like nothing else I've experienced. This is what keeps me writing. I love #13 "Write because we have to, because without it we'd be empty." Sometimes I feel if I didn't write I'd be walking around in circles wondering what to do with these stories filling up space in my mind.

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  3. I agree with so many of your 13, Jody. An escape, using the talents God has given me, inspiring others, and challenging myself would be those reasons topping my list.

    Thank you for sharing this and making me think! Happy 2013 to you!

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  4. I so NEEDED this! Just this morning I was whining to my husband about my desire to quit writing (today makes the gazillionth time). Of course, he goes, "How else would you fill your time?" All of your 13s answers this question. Thank you for your transparency and helping us see we are not the only ones who feel this way from time to time. Blessings!

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  5. I would say #4 and #6 keep me motivated when I feel like it might be too much. All of them are great reasons, but those two really hit home for me. :)

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  6. Your list of reasons for writing is impressive and inspirational. All of them apply to me. I keep trying to improve my craft, but there are always others better at writing. If I could just give someone inspiration, I'd feel happy.

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  7. Jody, thank you for taking the time to share these 13 reasons why we should keep writing. I don't consider myself a "writer" in the context of being an author, such as yourself. However, if I didn't at least journal my thoughts on paper I would feel so empty. Kind of crazy...the picture of the word empty is a place where there is nothing...and yet in order to fill that "emptiness" in myself I have to "give" out words...put them down on paper, linking one letter to another to form words! I will have to say that primarily #4 and #6 are the two reasons I write because, apart from keeping a journal and blogging, writing notes of encouragement to others is where I feel the Lord has given me the greatest pleasure in sharing the written word. I want to always be a good steward of what He's blessed me with. Thank you for the encouragement you are to us!

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  8. #6 is the biggest reason for me. Ultimately, I want to do something really meaningful in the world. I want to use the gifts I've been uniquely given--and that, for me, means writing.

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  9. I'd say number 13 says it all for me...even when I don't think I can do it...something inside of me just won't let go. I HAVE to keep going because I can't not write! You're right, Jody...I'd be completely empty if I couldn't write!

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  10. Finding joy and purpose in the writing itself is very motivating. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  11. Thank you Jody! I really needed to hear this today. I write because I love it, but lately there have been so many things working against me, it's difficult to keep my writing as a priority. Your list gives me encouragement.

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  12. Write because we want to. No-one forces us to. It's always our choice. We do it because we want to.

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  13. Yes, all of the above! I'm ready for 2013!

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  14. Thanks so much, Jody. I needed this today too. Yesterday I had a couple of hours to write, but I also had to do laundry and pay bills and fight the temptation to do a bunch of other stuff besides write. And even though I logged anoter 1600 words, I still felt like, "Is this ever going to be done?" I love the writing and the more I write the more I want to write. Sometimes I feel like I'm being selfish or ignoring my family or that it's just a silly hobby. One of my goals in 2013 is to take my writing seriously because if I don't, no one else will. I write because I HAVE to, too. Thank you!

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  15. I like this list, especially the part about how writing can be an outlet. I definitely relate to that, because I often work out what I'm feeling and thinking in my journals and stories; sometimes it's hard for me to say what I really want to say in person, but I can say it on paper.

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  16. I especially like #2. My head and heart so so full of stories that I'm not sure what I'd do if I didn't write them down - and sharing them with others, one way or another, is a gift to me ... as well, hopefully, as to readers too.

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  17. Thank you for these. They're all important to remember, even on good days. Sometimes we get caught up in certain aspects of what we're doing—or we *forget* the other beautiful, critical facets. I believe that as we remember these you've listed, our work will be more complete.

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  18. Brilliant Post Jody! It is applicable to what I am currently going through and you just made my day better. Thank you.

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  19. Fantastic post. I would have to say that #1 and #2 are my main reasons. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Write on! After all, nobody expects the little fishy to give reasons why he needs to keep swimming.
    http://www.writemomentswithgod.blogspot.com

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  21. So helpful! All of these reasons are dead on! Reminds me why I want to write in the first place. Thank you! Looking forward to your April release!!!

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  22. Hi Everyone!

    I appreciate all of your thoughts today! Thanks for sharing! I'm so glad we can encourage one another to keep on going! :-)

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  23. I love your list. Even though a lot of the time attempting to escape my present circumstances motivates me to write, once I start doing it I remember how much I love it. I've been creating stories ever since I could string a sentence together, and I can't imagine not doing it.

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  24. Firstly let me say that you have embodied some of the reasons we write for but don't know that we do and secondly, you show in your writing that's why you write. I write because I have always written and the idea of not writing just would not make any sense to me. Good post Jody.

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  25. I've quit for year, though I always kept a blog. I am so happy to be back. I could care less if I can ever give up my day job. The joy of creating something is beauty incarnate

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  26. I'm so happy. I read down your list and said, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep and yep. Oh gosh, I just love it. Thanks for reminding me how good I feel these days!

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  27. Jody--

    I can't tell you how much I needed that post. I just checked out your website and am interested in reading your novels, and your blog posts are amazing--so inspirational, encouraging, and informative! This post was enough evidence to convince me, even though writing has been trying my patience here and there, and I love how you're sharing your strength with the readers of your blog. You've given my self-confidence a boost with that reason about our talents! :) Honestly, most of the reasons up there do keep me writing, but the biggest one that I've ever come across is that I'm fulfilling my passion through a career. The fact that I can actually attain a satisfying job status makes me warm inside, and I think it has the same effect on all of us writers.

    Anyway, I've been rambling for long enough now! I just wanted to say thank you and that I really appreciate these kind of inspirational posts.

    -Lucy at http://www.howtowriteandwritewell.blogspot.com

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    1. Glad the post resonated, Lucy! Thanks for stopping by! I feel blessed that I can pursue writing as a career too. It's wonderful to be able to do something that we absolutely love to do every day, isn't it?

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  28. Great list, Jody! as always, you inspire! I write because I must! It ishow I process many of my thoughts and imaginations and provides the creative outlet that I crave.

    Blessings!

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  30. It is a great list. I stopped blogging. I think that I should restart with my writing. I thought I am sharing too much of my personal lives. I wanted to keep it to myself. Then I thought why not share to my friends through writing and let out what's in my mind. Moreover, my friends, the bloggers asked me about disappearing from updating my blog. Today, I just posted one article. I am glad, I wrote on it. I am feeling much better by letting out the disappointments I had in me. Writing helps. I will not stop blogging or writing from now on. Thanks for sharing on such an inspirational tips to keep writing and never stop.

Cheers!
Have a G'day!!!

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  31. Thanks for an excellent post and much appreciated validation that it's OK to write just for me: so that I can understand what I need to understand, feel more of what I'm feeling, and identify what it is I really want. That's always first for me. And, if I can connect with another in the process, so much the better. You've just helped me compose my Facebook Page bio. Thanks again.

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  32. That's a lovely post, Jody. Do you mind if I copy it and print it out to hang in my office?

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    1. Thank you, Kate. I would be more than happy if you printed it out and hung it up! That's a fantastic idea! :-)

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  33. 4,6 & 13 are pretty much the only ones I can relate to. I can't say I've ever "enjoyed" writing- I've just ended up writing, I have to write sometimes whether I like it or not. At the moment I am working on my first novel. A notion made up only days before the nanowrimo young writers program. In other words: Help! I am now 25k+ into a (very) fast paced Historical Romance that is slightly on the dramatic side. And I still don't know my MC's goal (in life). I now don't have a clue on how to end it. And I'm not even sure if my couple to be's personalities are right for each other. I don't even know what her character traits are -while I've got him more or less sorted though he too is without a goal. As does the antagonist (I have about three one of them being the husband to be) And by now I'm too scared to pick any random trait for my MC as I don't want to change her from the character I know in my head. And I don't want to put a goal on her because I have no idea what to do. googling does not help. brainstorming doesn't either- I have no ideas and I have not written in nearly a month as I'm trying to read (anything for ideas) I also have no clue on how to make them fall in love without making it sound like I've taken it out of an Janet Oke (the romance norm) Do you see how I could make this work? I desperately want it to. I desperately want to see the end of it too. I guess I'm in love with my MC. Oh I don't know what to do!

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    1. Hi Tiffany,

      I'm not really sure if I understand your problems. But I would encourage you to just keep writing. Perhaps as you keep pouring words on paper, your solutions will become clearer. And don't be afraid if you have to go back once you're done and completely change a character's arc. Believe me, I've had to do it plenty of times! And while it's not easy, it's still possible! Keep going!:-)

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  34. I seem to be always be adding more conflict and no tension. Thanks for the post and sorry the comment is so long and sorry for pouring out my writing woes here...

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  35. thanks! I'll try!
    i was afraid that it wouldn't make much sense, I wrote a different version earlier and was trying to remember it :/

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  36. Beautiful! Amazing in many ways. Absolutely stunning. I would love to see this topic in real-life. I have come some advice to your success. Thanks for sharing.....Luis Fandos

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