Writing is not all hard word—it involves more fun than you can imagine. Well, by ‘fun’, I mean those aspects of writing which are enjoyable, amusing, or lighthearted pleasure from my perspective, anyway. 😉
#1
I love writing:
The process of writing releases dopamine in me, especially when I can disappear into another world through a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. The natural high motivates me to write on.
#2
I have a more flexible view of time:
Writing is more fun than merely typing up sentences on the screen. A lot of the time, I plan how best to spice up my novel, and then I indulge freely in my favorite pastimes: a long drive, a walk in the neighborhood, or use of stationery—giant sketchbooks, colorful Post-its, Post Memos, Sharpies, and highlighters. These activities stimulate my thinking and I return to my work with fresh ideas.
#3
I am the Boss of my Life:
Ever heard that authors aim for world domination? Well, I do, and it’s when I create my own little worlds, craft my own characters, and play God with them—turn loving or sadistic at will like the Almighty. One moment, I drag them out of their comfort zones and play havoc with their lives, the next I sit back and watch them grow. It is a great experience when a character or characters hijack the plot. I make no attempt to stop it from happening because from this moment the scenes involving the character or characters come easy. I can’t wait to find out where they want to take the story.
#4
Writing is therapeutic:
Taking revenge is one of the established joys of the job. Like a lot of my fellow writers, I might occasionally cast a frenemy as an unsavory character in my novel, but not being murderous by nature, I seldom kill them off. I believe in ‘Live & Let Live’.
#5
Working in PJ’s:
The best thing about a writer’s life is to be able to work in your PJs all day! I do not have to get dressed in the morning, I do not have to brush my hair, or use make-up. It does not matter how I look—I have no colleagues!—unless I am attending a virtual event, and that is super rare.
#6
Entertainment is Research:
I surround myself with books; I watch movies whenever I like. I call that research. I make several trips to the bookstores and browse through books—bliss!—and sometimes sit and plan the twists and turns of my plots at Starbucks. I do not know what is more stimulating—their delicious cappuccinos and mochas or new faces.
#7
Writing improves the quality of life:
All that thinking keeps my brain active. It makes me less forgetful and it keeps all my worries at bay. An empty nester, writing is my constant companion—it makes me laugh, it makes me cry, it gives me something to live for 24X7.
It is what helps me stay younger.
#8
Like Minded Friends:
Last but not least, I can always connect with people, and that is through my writing. There are amazing personalities out there—a supportive community of fellow authors who like to meet up and exchange ideas, listen to each other read and give feedback. It is pure joy when the group loves or simply despises a character. In my critique group, one of my characters—Ravi—earned a pet name. It was so much more exciting writing chapters around him after that.
And so on and so forth.
Please feel free to add to this list. What does writing give you?
Nandita Author 