Today, Beacon Street welcomes Southern California author William Blowers, who shares a thought-provoking essay on why he–and many of us–write. Enjoy and nod your head!
Why do I write, you ask?
Ask me why I breathe, or why I love the beauty of a morning sunrise at the beach and the fresh smell of the mist of cool salt air as waves crash against sand. Writing is a part of me long waiting to be released. It is a seventh sense that operates in reverse, one that enables me to express my innermost feelings to others. Writing is me on paper, my hopes, dreams, fears, and desires laid out in black and white for me and others to touch, taste, see, and hopefully appreciate.
The written word has been described as being mightier than the sword. Only now in my later years as that part of me bubbles to the surface in an endless stream of imagination and wit, or, God forbid, a babble of meaningless drivel, am I able to appreciate the meaning of those words.
For me, writing is more than an expression of the inner self, the telling of a good story, or the song of a good rhyme. It is a lubricant for my brain, loosening and freeing parts that have been corroded with ingrained motive and prejudice. It allows thoughts to morph into words, and beauty to be perceived through my ears and eyes as I listen to and read the work of others.
As writers we come from all walks of life, and bring to the page differing life experiences—drama, humor, fear, tragedy and joy. We are male and female, old and young, liberal and conservative, black and white. But through our words we connect at a level that is blind to difference and one that finds unity and intrigue in the appreciation of our mutual love of written expression.
Whether we be the lyricist, the poet, the novelist, the playwright, or the historian, when we sit in groups and share and critique, we experience a bond that few can know or even understand. Who else but writers can get excited over clever rhyme structure, or will struggle to create the ideal sonnet written in perfect iambic pentameter? Are others willing to take three unrelated words and create a cohesive story around them? Can the non-writer appreciate the power of something as simple as an em dash, in fact, would they even know what it is, or care for that matter?
And who else sits at their word processor at 4:00 on a Sunday morning writing something like this.
I consider myself blessed with this gift of the written word. To be among others who share this passion is a privilege that few understand. Despite those times when one word refuses to follow another, when I question if I am a foreigner in a land of giants, when I read and hear others’ incredible work that makes mine appear to be little more than childish scribbles, I refuse to give in to that inner demon that says quit.
It is said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Well—I guess I enjoy being in the asylum.
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William Blowers (Bill) is a retired businessman, entrepreneur and the author of an upcoming historical novel, The Vendetta That Sank Titanic, due out this year from Morgan James Publishing. In the creation of this novel, fictional as well has historical characters interact in a tale of what might have been. Could the Titanic disaster have been planned, the ultimate act of revenge by a brilliant but psychotic mind? Why did Titanic sink? Keep up with Bill at his website and watch for news about the release of this much anticipated book! I know I can’t wait. Essay is reprinted with permission from William L. Blowers.