Do you write to become a better person? Does writing make you a better person?

[Charlie]

People write, whether in fiction or non-fiction, for some purpose. I am sure that anyone who writes seriously does so to make some kind of point. They are not haphazard or careless in their efforts. Some people write for the financial rewards. Others are perhaps interested in making a statement. Still others may write to teach or to provide learning. There is, of course, the simple aspect of writing as entertainment. People write to tell their personal story in the form of autobiography; or tell the story of another. Whatever the reason or prompt is for writing, each person has one. It then makes sense to me that if we write with a stated purpose it can only lead to our becoming better writers and therefore better persons.

I write, except for one story about my uncle, exclusively fiction. Having said that, many storylines and associated characters are based, tightly or loosely, upon my own life experiences. I love to make things up, but I also believe make believe attracts credibility when it's based in personal reality. I may have said before I write to please myself. This is not meant to be selfish. The readers I may attract will most often share at least some of my ideals. A good/great story to me is one that uplifts and challenges the reader. It gives him/her a chance to look ahead with hope; to view tomorrow with a determination to succeed. I try to accomplish this when I write. Sometimes I may be successful. Each time I hear that someone has read something I have written and has been positively influence by it I feel that I, too, have become a better person.

Charlie

[Zada Connaway]

What you have written here is interesting. I believe as you do, and think that most writers draw on their own experiences. That is what makes it believable, and holds the reader's interest, because none of us have lived totally unique lives. Even though some things may not fall into a shared realm, many will overlap for different individuals.

My own novel was written to offer hope to others who might find themselves in similar circumstances and remind them that all actions have consequences. But the offering of a lecture is not a welcome thing, and a story can illustrate much better than a sermon.

For me, it was a type of 'giving back' some of the lessons I had learned along the journey of life. Did it make me a better person? I'm not sure, but it certainly hasn't made me a worse one!

[Peter N. Jones]

I try and improve myself and my writing at the same time. I think a person's mental attitude or state comes through in their writing. Also, much of my writing these days is fairly "activist" in orientation, so I do feel that helps make me a better person. It is always nice to do what you like while helping others.

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Director: Bauu Institute and Press
Publisher: Great New Books Reviewed
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues Today
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources

[mikodragonfly]

I don't know about making me a better person but it does allow me to live a more authentic life, by putting me more closely in touch with my inner "self."

[Dennis AuBuchon]

My writing genre is non-fiction with a focus on the topic of integrity. I enjoy writing and many of my articles are meant to get people to think about events that have taken place or conditions that exist that I feel need to change. I believe in the principle that one person can make a difference. The main theme of my website is quality writing and services to make a difference. I strive to make a profit as any business needs to do but it is important for any individual to enjoy what you are doing whether it is as an author or something else. I thoroughly enjoy writing and many of my articles have been well received for the content and quality of the subjects I have written. Much of what I have written or will write I take from my work experiences, personal observations or what I have learned or will learn through research. We all have opinions on issues of the day and putting that opinion into writing is important. If we have a valid point to make putting it in writing helps us to connect with others of the same opinion. Through some networking activity I found other individuals with the same interest and even helped to promote causes for which we shared a common interest. I also enjoy helping other authors and I have links to marketing information/opportunities on my web site to help other authors gain exposure/recognition for the work.

[domenic Pappalardo]

It’s all vanity…and when that’s done you head for the high desert…alone.