Why Do Writers Write?

Today I was able to talk to PsychoDollie's best friend, Chucky Manio. And on the course of our conversation, I let him read the love letter I was on the process of completing. He said it was so cliche. The emotions, the words, they all are cliche. Then he said maybe he was just the kind of person who doesn't fully understand what love means, after all, I was writing a love letter.

Then he asked me to read the manuscript of this Tagalog story he was currently busy doing. Upon reading the manuscript I told him that it was dry. It lacked the crisp, though it was nostalgic. And it sounded a wee bit semi-autobiographical.

Talk about an exchange of opinions. Upon hearing this, he retracted by telling me that perhaps I'm not the right person to read his story. And here goes the other criticisms such as I'm... in general... a cliche. My writeups are all cliche. My plots, my feelings, everything. There's no attempt to change the world.

Which leads me to ask, why do writers write, anyway?

Indeed, on the course of history, writers have played a big part in changing the world. Through their writings they were able to wake up sleeping minds, come up with inventions, and drastically lead the society to the concept of a better, brighter future. But is this all writers are for?

I say no. Because above all, a writer's job is not only to awaken minds, but to touch hearts. Chucky, I can say, is one great writer in the making. But who cares? If you don't have an audience who believes in you not because you are great, but rather they feel what you write, then what's the point of writing? Quoting Chucky's words, having a cult following who doesn't understand any of the words you say, and only look up to you because you write well, then wouldn't that be oh so poser?

Swim in that sea of greatness, Chucky. Even drown with it.