Erin Fletcher, Assistant Manager of Online Content & Research
Today is National Day on Writing! All week, the team behind our writing products - PEG Writing and PEG Writing Scholar - has been sharing their stories of why they write. We hope you enjoy getting to know our team and hearing about why they choose to write.
Today's #WhyIWrite comes from Erin Fletcher, our Assistant Manager of Online Content and Research. Erin is also the Erin Fletcher, author of Where You'll Find Me, Pieces of You and Me, and All Laced Up.
Sometimes it seems crazy to be a writer. I sit in front of a computer for hours at a time, all by myself (well, except for Twitter friends, my cat, and the occasional coffee shop barista). It takes months to write one novel, and there’s no guarantee the novel will ever be published. In fact, I have spent years working on several manuscripts that will never be published. I’ve been rejected hundreds of times. I’ve given up sleep and social events to meet deadlines. I’ve battled writer’s block (and lost, badly).
So why do I do it? Why do I put myself through all of that when I could easily quit and pick another hobby, like binge-watching Netflix or coloring?
- I write because I love it! Despite the negatives, I absolutely love writing. I love when I get an idea and can’t do anything else until I’ve written it down. I love when I find the exact words to say what I wanted to say. I love the feeling of accomplishment when I complete a project.
- I write because I have a story to tell. I’ve read incredible books from writers who have inspired me and changed the way I see the world. I aspire to do the same for someone else. Everyone has a story to tell. Someone out there needs to hear that story. I hope someone benefits from reading my books, just like I’ve benefitted from reading others.
- I write because being an author is fun! I’ve been a guest speaker at several schools. I’ve been interviewed for a radio show in another state. Readers from all over the world have read the books I wrote. That will never stop being surreal!
- I write because I can’t not write. It’s part of who I am. It’s how I express myself. It encompasses my hopes, goals, and dreams. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Happy National Day on Writing!