Why I Write

There's this theory that there are two different types of people in this world: The people whose thoughts are already in the form of words, and the people whose thoughts are unsymbolized and abstract and require dissecting.

Now, I've got a degree in Psychology, so I know most psychologists don't believe in the theory of unsymbolized thinking — but I can tell you, for me? It's real. To this day, it's real. And it's far more natural than having thoughts that arise already in the form of symbols (words or images).

Even as an adult, I often find it difficult to verbally express myself — I think I always will, especially when it comes to expressing myself emotionally. It's almost as though everything, including basic conversation, demands a certain level of "translation" in terms of taking my totally abstract ideas and thoughts, and turning them into a string of comprehensible words.

This, my friends, is why I write.

I've struggled with self-expression for all my life — and it wasn't until I started writing consistently at a young age that I began to see an improvement in my ability to verbalize my thoughts in an effective way. In so many ways, this ability is a muscle. Basically, the longer I go without writing, the harder it becomes to express myself verbally.

The cool thing? Through writing, I've been able to analyze the way I look at the world.

While my thoughts may be abstract and dauntingly enigmatic — they're also very detail-oriented and uniquely observant. There are things I pick up on that seem to be lost on most people, and my range of sensory intake appears to be verging on synesthetic.

I've had plenty of readers inquire about my prose — how I've developed it, particularly.

Well, this is how. I haven't developed it at all. It's just the way I see the world.

And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Why do YOU write?