Why do we write?

“I don't know what I think until I write it down.”

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."

— Anaïs Nin

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Introduction

Welcome to this, the first issue of The Writers’ Lodge. Writing can be a lonely business, so this newsletter is aimed at those in need of support, guidance or a just a friendly word or two from others who are on the same path.

Each month you’ll receive a minimum of two newsletters, direct to your inbox, in which we’ll consider different aspects of the process of writing and editing a long piece of fiction, with articles and exercises designed to help the writer establish whether they’re on track or in need of course correction. My hope is that together we will also create a supportive environment, with opportunity for subscribers to share their doubts, fears and (if they wish) their work, for the group to discuss.

Do you know anyone who might want to join us on the journey? Why not invite them along?

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Why do we (want to) write?

"To survive, you must tell stories."

— Umberto Eco

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to write, I thought it would be helpful to go right back to basics and consider why we write.

Writing can be joyful, but finishing a novel — or indeed any long-ish project — can also be a slog. It’s a solitary process, sometimes lonely. There are days when the words aren’t flowing, when your characters have abandoned you and the plot seems to make no sense at all. Sometimes you look at what you’ve written and want to delete every word. And, when you’ve finally reached the end of a first draft, you have the prospect of the edit ahead of you, which brings its own challenges. So why do it at all?

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