Why Do I Write?

In one of the on-line writing courses I took, there was an assignment about why we write. I don’t remember what my reasons were at the time (after all, it has been about three years!) but I can tell you why I continue to write.

Obviously my writing is not motivated by money. And that’s because I haven’t made any. It’s not for lack of trying, that’s for sure. But if my reason was to make money, I would have quit by now. (It has actually cost me a great deal, just with the promoting, etc.). I write because I truly love it. Just like reading takes a person on adventures, so my writing does that for me. For example, when I wrote, “When Shadows Linger,” I placed myself in Middlebury, Vermont. I have fallen in love with New England and so through my writing I am there.

“My Name is Rebecca: A Novelette” takes place in the early 1900s. When I was writing the book, I was able to visualize the various experiences that the immigrants had–life in their home country, traveling to America, the Lower East Side of New York, and Racine in the early 1900s and beyond. I was also able to put down family stories that I heard while growing up and share with readers. And when I included my parents’ names in the book, it took on a special meaning for me. I think you know what I mean. Also–the book has been accepted for the archives in The Racine Heritage Museum and for the archives at the Jewish Museum in Milwaukee. I consider that to be more meaningful than a sale. Why? Because my maternal family can trace itself to Racine for over 100 years, something that other generations of immigrants have not been able to do.

I can’t forget the two stories that were printed in Edify Fiction. “My Joe: A Reflection” will always be special because it was my first piece of fiction published in a magazine and not self-published. (Also because it’s a very nice story about a love that lasts over decades.) And recently, “Willow Falls” was also published in Edify–a story about a love  that is meant to be.

So, that’s why I write. I put all of my feelings into my writing and all of my dreams. I hope they are conveyed to my readers so that they can share my journey.

Phyllis