Guest blogger and Firespring copywriter Josh Gregg writes on why he loves writing.
When I was eight-years-old I used to keep large pads of yellow legal paper under my bed. Each pad of paper was filled with chapter after chapter of whatever “book” I was writing at the moment. The last book I remember rediscovering was written in my 3rd grade handwriting, “How to tell what mood your cat is in. By Josh Gregg.” Ever since I could talk I’ve always been fascinated with storytelling (and writing quickly became a natural extension of speaking).
From the moment I attended my very first career day in elementary school to the countless week nights spent bagging fries at Burger King as a zit-faced teenager, I always thought about what I wanted to do when I grew up—I wanted to do something that would keep me young forever because I never want to grow up.
Writing was the answer.
Writing gives me the creative outlet I desperately need. Writing gives me passion, purpose and drive. Writing makes my words immortal. Writing is fun.
According to a recent YouGov poll, 60% of respondents said being an author was the most desirable occupation—and I agree with those respondents (although I might be a tad biased). Whether I’m writing polished web copy for marketing or on a napkin full of ideas for a future children’s book series, writing is the one thing in my life that has always made sense.
According to Forbes, most Americans are unhappy at work. Life is too damn short to do something you don’t love. We spend (at a minimum) 40 hours a week working. That’s more time than we spend with our family or friends, so why aren’t most of us doing something we really love? You don’t have to be a professional writer to create your own story and give your life passion, purpose and drive.
Writing is more freeing than most jobs on earth not only because I can write from anywhere but in those rare instances when I am writing surrounded by three grey cubicle walls, my mind isn’t surrounded by anything because my imagination is somewhere else that probably doesn’t exist yet.
Writing is collaborative and imperfect. A lot of people are great writers, but perfect writers don’t exist. There’s always room for growth and development; it’s a profession and hobby that will never plateau unless you want it to.
Writing gives you control. Writers tell the story they want to tell and they take the audience on their journey—for better or for worse. After all, you’re here, reading this sentence, because it’s exactly where I want you to be.
It’s only a matter of time before I’ll eventually take one of my rough ideas for a children’s book from a napkin and get it officially published through Redbrush. Until then, I’ll keep on writing because to me, it’s the one profession that ends with me living happily ever after.
If writing's not your passion, don't let that hold you back from becoming an author. See all of Redbrush's services that can help you publish a better book.
