I write because I have something to say. I write with intention. I write to inform and to amuse. I write to inspire conviction that provokes movement, because words are not empty. I write because I can.
I do not write for fun. I watch romantic comedies for fun. I read a novel with a wicked plot for fun. I walk on the beach for fun. I cycle through the woody paths of the Veluwe for fun. I don’t write for fun, however writing can be so much fun.
I write because I like challenges, the challenge of taking something ordinary and giving it wings to fly like a kite in the wind. Watching it sail, I ooh and ah as its colours change. Then I ooh and ah again as I see through your eyes, the medley of colours in the comments you leave behind.
I write because I want you to read what I write. When people say that they write for themselves and not for others, and then publish the writing that they wrote for themselves on a blog for the world to see, the irony does not escape me. I write because it matters to me that you read what I write. If it did not matter to me, I would write in my diary.
I write because I enjoy reducing the tedious emails that nearly nobody reads and a few skim, to bullet points that everybody reads. I write because I love to k.i.s.s. (keep it so simple), and make up, that is, stretch a story to breaking point to test the limits of its elasticity. Snap! And start again.
I write to discover myself. As my thoughts change to words, I see who I have been, who I am becoming, and who I might be. I write because my interaction with the world makes sense when I draw it in word pictures. Blue means peace and green means fruit. If I could not write, I would paint. And if I could not paint, I would sing. I would croon ballads about the fact that I cannot write.
I write because I have time. I write because I make time. I write because I lose time when I write. Minutes tick and become hours and hours race into days. I write because it is easy for me to write. I write because I hear words and phrases in my mind. I write because I dream, lofty dreams about never-never land, perfect rag dolls, and vintage family portraits
I write because the gift chose me. I write because I discovered the gift when I wasn’t looking. I write because writing adds value to my life, turning my whispers into loud cries, enabling me to stand tall on crouched knees. I write because the gift continues to unfold with surprises in store.
Mostly, I write because I can. Why do you write?
© Timi Yeseibo 2013
Gosh, are you still here? Reading? For real? Okay, this one’s for you—three offbeat posts about writing:
Finished? Now, go get a life!
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livelytwist 
I write because I’m exploding with something. I write in the hopes that some brave person will challenge me and teach me things I didn’t know. I write to share my world. I write because it’s easy for me to write. I write because I can. I write because that is how I learn – by unfolding the foggy thoughts in my head and letting the light and wiser people than me clear everything up.
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I like this: “I write because that is how I learn – by unfolding the foggy thoughts in my head . . . ”
I’ve read what you write, and I can attest, you are exploding with something. Please continue.
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🙂 Thanks, Timi.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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This is just too beautiful..you write too well
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Thank you so much, Oluwa-Pelumi. So nice to have you here!
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what i think its so much less than it can xplain this, i like this “I write because I love to k.i.s.s. (keep it so simple)” if only people will replace the write with what they like then they will know what makes them do what they do, this is a direction to purpose
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I hear you Arinze when you say that what we like/love is an indicator of of our life’s purpose. Sometimes it takes guts to leave your comfy job and step into the unknown world of what we like.
Thanks for sharing.
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Ansa put it so succinctly, because of writers like you, life is interesting for readers like me 🙂
When I read your blogs( you know I’m your number 1 fan) I’m in awe of how you write and I think “I could never write like this, how does she weave the stories and the play with words…”
But you have encouraged me and I think from today l will take the challenge like you and take something ordinary and give it wings to fly.
Thanks.
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Afi, we all write differently and the more we practise, the better we get. I tend to agree with the Samuel Jackson quote that we write with effort so others may read with pleasure.
Thanks for encouraging me. I’m looking forward to your post.
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Why I write?!
Well, for the love of words
I write to give expression to the melodies inside of me
And that the hearts of men should dance to the music thereof.
I write so I may not ‘die’, I write to be read, and read and read.
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Charles, I totally get you when you say, “…the melodies inside of me.” For the love of words, oh yes, for the love of words…
I see you’ve crossed the ‘fear’ of being read & misunderstood & criticized & … 🙂
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Hmm #sighs#
The ‘greener pasture’ of Facebook Notes kinda proved more alluring. WordPress was not fetching traffic or should I say most folks scarcely fancy poems these days, regardless of how well you dilute it to make the meaning accessible?
You know how the writer feels when the feedback is negligible now!
And feel free not to mind your business in this case. A ‘life’ could be at stake.
Deeply grateful for the concern.
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I can hear your deep sigh even though we may be oceans apart. Without the feedback I get on this blog, I would really have to dig deep for motivation sometimes.
Speaking generally, poetry isn’t a genre that people gravitate to. Recently I read about the ‘commercialization’ of the writing craft, such that ‘pure writing’ has been distilled to attract audiences, and so on and so forth (I guess it was lamentation day, lol!) The reality is that a writer has to add marketing to his repertoire of skills these days- I shamelessly ‘recruited followers’ in a post I wrote with the same title 🙂
Your writing, your unique voice that sets you apart from others, is for a particular audience … Carry on with FB. I hope you don’t stop giving expression to your poetry, I enjoy it.
I’d love to read your current stuff. Let’s connect on FB. Send me your details via the contact form? I appreciate your being here.
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Because of writers like you, life is interesting for readers like me. I love the way you write…… Please don’t stop.
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By the way, thank you for the ‘extra’ you gave us readers at the end. Shows how much you care about us.
In a nutshell, I read because of writers like you.
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Thank you Ansa. With readers like you, how can I stop? 🙂 Glad you liked the ‘extra’.
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Lovely, self-styled anaphora there. What’s more, it’s poetic!
Me? Amidst lesser reasons, I write because it makes me feel and be alive. Ceasing to write means either of two things: I’m dying…..or…….yeah, I’m dead!
BTW, need I repeat you are gifted at what you do?
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I feel you when you say writing makes you feel and be alive. I enjoy the poetry on your blog… but, em, em, bunmioke, you’re not dying, but I haven’t seen any recent posts!
Self-motivation is not infallible, Just as writer’s block is not impossible…. How far? Okay, let me mind my business….
Thank you for the compliment.
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I write for many of the same reasons you describe here. I love the way you hit the nail on the head when you say writing is not something we do for fun, but it can be so much fun! I too lose track of time when I write. Thanks for sharing these thoughts that are so familiar and yet so new! I am happy your gift chose you.
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I am glad writing chose you too. The pen gives us influence, and the way you use yours to inspire, brings a smile to my face and that of many others I bet.
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Hi Timi,
This post makes me want to sing ” i sing because i’m happy…”
I like your writing because they are very original.I like the fact that you don’t mince words about your feelings, I like tha fact that you can be very brave about sharing your convictions, I like the fact that are not ashamed of your roots.
I love your writing and I love the fact that you took up such a daunting challenge at this time.
Keep it up!
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Thank you Julienne, your encouragement spurs me on. By all means, sing… I am singing with you!
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