Why I Write?

By Andrea Buckley

Writing is a place that I enjoy visiting on a regular basis. Sometimes, I stay for long periods of time and other times I avoid it all together. I may visit every day or choose to take long hiatuses, but low in behold I cannot avoid this place forever. In this place, sometimes there is a warm stranger there to welcome me with open arms and other times I feel all alone. The more I write, the more this place becomes more real to me.

Writing has always served as a platform for me to express myself to myself and to send prayers to God. It is the canvas where word vomit becomes beautiful insight and reflection. It is the place where I have silently faced many of my fears. It is the place where there is no shame to my insecurity.

In this place, I find refuge. I don’t believe in word counts, I just think we should make every word count. I have always had trouble following the rules of this place until I realize I set the rules and the pace. In this place, all superficial standards and judgements are left awaiting at the door. They are a gang and they go by the name of Edit.

I write because I do not enjoy playing by the rules and this place is an escape from the socially constructed mess of world we imperfect humans have created. Writing is a place that is spiritual. It feels like heaven, a place that people deem difficult to get in but, I say that it is actually easier than it seems. The key is belief and the door is God, the first creator. To share what happens in this place with others is a blessing called vulnerability.

I write to escape into a dream that should be reality. In this place, I learned to love who I am. I wrestled with comparison. I soaked in wisdom until it was tattooed on my soul. I cried. I listened. I’ve been afraid. I write to tell my story.