Why I write
I wrote this piece for http://booksbywomen.org/why-i-write-b... and thought I'd share it here too...
A lady came along to a library event I delivered recently (I don’t know her name so I’ll call her Mrs Miggs) where she proceeded (rather nicely) to list a few things she didn’t really like about my debut novel, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.
Please believe me that this doesn’t happen often! Readers, booksellers, librarians, bloggers and journalists are terribly supportive to writers. But this lady’s reaction did set me thinking about why I write and what it means to me. So, for Mrs Miggs and anyone else who might be interested, here are fifteen reasons why I do it…
1. I write because it’s my dream. The urge to do so has burned in my chest, from when I was young and used to read cereal packets at the breakfast table and shampoo bottles in the bath and knew that I wanted to write too.
2. I write because I have characters in my head, who create a fuss until I share their stories. They want me to kick start their adventures and hold their hand, to take them to a better place in their lives.
3. I write because I come from a town recently named as the most deprived in the UK. I thought that kids like me didn’t become writers and I want to share that they can.
4. I write to show my eleven-year-old son that, although I might do his ironing and make his tea, Mum has a proper job which not only involves creating stories, but which allows her to travel to amazing places and meet wonderful people. When I write novels I’m also developing my website and social media, networking and creating relationships, writing articles and blogs, encouraging other people to write and (*sadface*) doing my accounts.
5. I write because if I don’t do it then I get terribly grouchy, and that’s not good for anyone.
6. I write because I love fairy stories. Remember when you were little and never questioned if a pumpkin could turn into a carriage of if a glass slipper might splinter? I still feel the same way now. Life sometimes sucks and I want to write feel-good fiction with a touch of make-believe, to offer a little escape – for myself as well as readers.
7. I write because it’s two fingers up (or one) to the boss who bullied me at work, to demonstrate, whether he knows it or not, that you can be successful through positivity and hard-work, rather than manipulation and putting others down.
8. I write to try and make people (and myself) laugh and cry and grab hold of life with both hands and not let go.
9. I write because I believe that words can change people’s lives. I saw The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper as an enjoyable story about a retired gentleman who discovers a charm bracelet in his late wife’s wardrobe and sets off on a journey to find out the story behind the charms. But I also wanted it to be a guidebook for bereavement, an opportunity for readers going through the same experience to share Arthur’s journey and find a little hope at the end of it. Likewise, my second novel, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone, deals with issues such as infertility, marriage difficulties and family disputes.
10. I write to make a living, because I don’t want to go back to working in an office in the city centre. (Please don’t make me go back!)
11. I write to encourage anyone who doesn’t have the confidence to put pen to paper, that it’s okay to try. I share my A-Z of writing tips on my website www.phaedra-patrick.com/writing-tips
12. I write because a close friend died a few years ago and it taught me that life is short. Writing my books enabled me to put her name in print, in a dedication, so that her daughter and parents know what she meant to me.
13. I write for all the people in my life who ever told me that I couldn’t do something, to show that I can.
14. I write because I can spend time in my head in wonderful locations. While my body may be sitting at my computer desk, my mind may be at the seaside, or in London or Paris. I feel alive when I’m researching people, objects and places.
15. I write to make my friends and family proud.
Of course, I didn’t have time to say all this to Mrs Miggs. I told her that everyone is different and books are different, and how great it is that we each have that choice to make.
Readers are essential for writers, and writers are essential for readers. It’s a fantastic symbiotic relationship. But when I write, I do so for the reasons I list here, not personally for Mrs Miggs. So I’ll turn her comments into a big positive, that she influenced me to write this piece, which allows me to express my appreciation to anyone who does read and enjoy my books.
I am truly grateful. Thank you x
A lady came along to a library event I delivered recently (I don’t know her name so I’ll call her Mrs Miggs) where she proceeded (rather nicely) to list a few things she didn’t really like about my debut novel, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.
Please believe me that this doesn’t happen often! Readers, booksellers, librarians, bloggers and journalists are terribly supportive to writers. But this lady’s reaction did set me thinking about why I write and what it means to me. So, for Mrs Miggs and anyone else who might be interested, here are fifteen reasons why I do it…
1. I write because it’s my dream. The urge to do so has burned in my chest, from when I was young and used to read cereal packets at the breakfast table and shampoo bottles in the bath and knew that I wanted to write too.
2. I write because I have characters in my head, who create a fuss until I share their stories. They want me to kick start their adventures and hold their hand, to take them to a better place in their lives.
3. I write because I come from a town recently named as the most deprived in the UK. I thought that kids like me didn’t become writers and I want to share that they can.
4. I write to show my eleven-year-old son that, although I might do his ironing and make his tea, Mum has a proper job which not only involves creating stories, but which allows her to travel to amazing places and meet wonderful people. When I write novels I’m also developing my website and social media, networking and creating relationships, writing articles and blogs, encouraging other people to write and (*sadface*) doing my accounts.
5. I write because if I don’t do it then I get terribly grouchy, and that’s not good for anyone.
6. I write because I love fairy stories. Remember when you were little and never questioned if a pumpkin could turn into a carriage of if a glass slipper might splinter? I still feel the same way now. Life sometimes sucks and I want to write feel-good fiction with a touch of make-believe, to offer a little escape – for myself as well as readers.
7. I write because it’s two fingers up (or one) to the boss who bullied me at work, to demonstrate, whether he knows it or not, that you can be successful through positivity and hard-work, rather than manipulation and putting others down.
8. I write to try and make people (and myself) laugh and cry and grab hold of life with both hands and not let go.
9. I write because I believe that words can change people’s lives. I saw The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper as an enjoyable story about a retired gentleman who discovers a charm bracelet in his late wife’s wardrobe and sets off on a journey to find out the story behind the charms. But I also wanted it to be a guidebook for bereavement, an opportunity for readers going through the same experience to share Arthur’s journey and find a little hope at the end of it. Likewise, my second novel, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone, deals with issues such as infertility, marriage difficulties and family disputes.
10. I write to make a living, because I don’t want to go back to working in an office in the city centre. (Please don’t make me go back!)
11. I write to encourage anyone who doesn’t have the confidence to put pen to paper, that it’s okay to try. I share my A-Z of writing tips on my website www.phaedra-patrick.com/writing-tips
12. I write because a close friend died a few years ago and it taught me that life is short. Writing my books enabled me to put her name in print, in a dedication, so that her daughter and parents know what she meant to me.
13. I write for all the people in my life who ever told me that I couldn’t do something, to show that I can.
14. I write because I can spend time in my head in wonderful locations. While my body may be sitting at my computer desk, my mind may be at the seaside, or in London or Paris. I feel alive when I’m researching people, objects and places.
15. I write to make my friends and family proud.
Of course, I didn’t have time to say all this to Mrs Miggs. I told her that everyone is different and books are different, and how great it is that we each have that choice to make.
Readers are essential for writers, and writers are essential for readers. It’s a fantastic symbiotic relationship. But when I write, I do so for the reasons I list here, not personally for Mrs Miggs. So I’ll turn her comments into a big positive, that she influenced me to write this piece, which allows me to express my appreciation to anyone who does read and enjoy my books.
I am truly grateful. Thank you x
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Thank you. That’s so lovely of you, and I’m glad you enjoyed joining Arthur on his journey. My latest book, The Library of Lost and Found, has just come out, so I hope you like that one too. I won’t be going back to the city! I used to like my job and still see my friends, but I can’t ever return!!! Best wishes, Phaedra
Your fan,
Heidi