I have been having fun discovering young bloggers and authors seeking to make a difference in the world through their writing. But one thing I started noticing for a lot of these young writers and authors is that many of them have been writing stories since they could hold a pen.
I cannot say that for myself. However, it did make me ask myself the question of when did I start writing and why? I think I started writing during maybe the last year of my brothers life. That last year was a year of lots of changes and growing up and becoming an adult. It also ended in sadness and grief and confusion. I believe it was around this time or not too long after that I got into journaling. At one point I became so devoted to journaling that I journaled every single day. I have a whole box of my journals, about life or a scripture that stands out or thoughts or feelings or sibling adventures. But then about nine years ago is when I started actually sharing more of my words with the world. That is when I started my blog over here at Graced with Grace which was originally called The Kings daughter. I wrote several posts about my brother on that blog and also shared several poems that I wrote about him. I think the reason for why I started writing is that it became a way for me to sift through my thoughts and feelings in a chaotic and confusing season of life, especially for a twelve year old girl. But confusing and chaotic seasons of life did not stop there. I have continued to have my own ups and downs in life just like everyone else. And I always find myself writing the most when life is the hardest. Its my way of processing. Some people just need to have someone to talk to, but although I need people to talk to, as well, I find that sometimes I just need to write instead. Sometimes I write to simply get my confusion out on paper. Sometimes I write so that I can refocus and get my mind on what is encouraging and true and upright. Sometimes I write so that I can simply process something. But more recently, having more time on my hands, I have delved into story writing. I had done this a little growing up, but had not thought seriously about publishing anything until more recently. So you ask why I am interested now in publishing a novel. Well, for maybe a few different reasons. Right now I have a ton of time to pursue and nurture my skill as a writer, so what better time to pursue writing an actual book than now. Secondly, I have loved reading fiction and classics for a long time, but sometimes am sorely disappointed in modern day authors and the stuff that they publish. Take for example romance novels. I love a good love story, however, so many of the romance novels that are being written today are either plain trash, poorly written, or so unrealistic. Or its all about the physical and the sexual when there is so much more to love than that. So my desire is to write stories that I hope can be a little more realistic, wholesome, and pure. No girls swooning at first site of a man and falling madly in love with someone just because they look cute. My own story of how my husband and I first met and ended up dating and getting married is testimony to the fact that it is not usually love at first sight. But more than my love for a good love story, I want to help my reader to understand suffering a little better by reading a book by one who has walked through suffering herself. Having a brother who died when I was only twelve years old gives me a unique perspective to life and suffering. Suffering is a topic close to my heart because not only have I faced it, but I have watched as my seven living siblings and my two parents have walked through and faced suffering too. But I have learned that each one seems to face it in different ways. We all have our way of coping with pain and deep sorrow and not all those ways are good. I want to write fiction that can portray some of these ways that people cope with pain and sorrow. But I want to also offer hope and comfort and encouragement through the stories I write. I also hope that my readers who have not had to walk down the road of losing a loved one yet, may know a little better how to be a friend to those who have walked down that road. This post, Why I Write, also may be helpful in understanding why I want to write for others. Are you a writer? Why do you write? When did you start writing? Do you have a particular message that you want to give your readers? If so what is that message? Why do you want to give that message to your readers?
2 Comments
Cathy
10/2/2019 03:37:09 pm
I will be the first one in line to buy your novel. Keep writing dear friend!
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Hannah Foster
10/3/2019 01:05:47 am
Thanks! That is encouraging! I hope that some day you will be able to buy my novel and hopefully it will be enjoyable, too.
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