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In Why I Write, George Orwell suggests that there are four main motivationsLinks to an external site. for writing prose (aside from earning a living). The first of these is sheer egoism, where the writer seeks to assert their intelligence, to be discussed and remembered. This is not framed as a purely frivolous desire but one where writers try to establish the singularity of their lives as a way to raise themselves above the blanket of general drudgery; a sentiment that we can all understand. The second motivation is aesthetic enthusiasm or the pleasure of perceiving and producing a beautiful experience. A simple string of words can be both enjoyable and evocative when viewing writing as an artful discipline. The third and fourth motivations are historical impulse and political purpose. These incentives are perhaps a touch more altruistic than the first two. Certain writers record facts and events for future generations, preventing important stories from being diluted by popular narratives. Some others weave political ideology into their work while attempting to surreptitiously alter and challenge the reader’s worldview; Animal Farm is undoubtedly such a composition.

Why Should You Write?

Today, 70 years after Orwell’s passing, the literary field has changed somewhat. You no longer have to be part of the elite literati to be published. These days, anyone with access to the Internet can create a blog or write an essay. A myriad of free platforms such as Medium and even Facebook allow users to post short and long-form articles about anything and everything under the sun. Access to printing technology has facilitated the publication of niche magazines and independent novellas, giving a voice to many fringe and underground communities. The most significant result of this flood of publishing power is that it enables us to live more fully. The act of writing grounds us. It magnifies our truths, our emotions, and our struggles. When writing, we see every detail, from the wind in trees to the shadows on a familiar face. Just as stepping back from a painting allows us to truly see the piece of art, being an author allows us to see ordinary life as a masterpiece. With so many people suffering from existential depression, writing is a wonderful way for us to make our experience our own and bring meaning to the world.

For retirees who have decades of expertise and interesting anecdotes, an autobiography or a fictional work based on historical events can be a creative way to cement your legacy. For people who are experts in their field or who have exclusive insights that others could learn from, writing can be a way to impart valuable knowledge. You have studied the subject, done the research, and formed an opinion that can help others to grow or reframe their understanding. Writing a book can help you to show the facts and share your ideas in a clear and digestible manner, facilitating communication with readers and solidifying your message. Being a published author also increases your credibilityLinks to an external site. and sets you up as a thought leader in your field. It looks impressive on a CV and can open doors to a variety of social and professional opportunities. Being an author need not be a full-time job either. Many successful authors started writing as a sideline, honing their craft over evenings and weekends. As your writing career begins to achieve success, it may be able to sustain you financially, allowing you to make the transition into writing for a living.

Being Ready for Digital

The modern book comes in many forms including hardcover, paperback, audiobooks, and e-books. The versatility and diversity of mediums mean that your book could easily receive worldwide distribution, thus expanding your audience. While writing the book itself is the greatest challenge, formatting it correctly for print can be a whole other hurdle. Due to their extensive reach and substantially lower publishing costs, digital platforms are usually the first choice for aspiring authors. However, different digital publishing platforms accept different file formats and have their own particular formatting guidelines. For writers who are unfamiliar with layouts, the whole thing can be very confusing. Fortunately, some resources help specifically with book formattingLinks to an external site., including a list of software you can use, how to set up margins and bleeds, and designing attractive chapter pages. Ultimately, you want your published book to look as good as it reads. A poorly formatted text with a cheesy cover will only turn away readers and hurt your reputation.

Studying creative writingLinks to an external site. at college is a good step towards a sought-after occupation, many aspire to become an author. The idea brings images of late nights in darkened studios, a pensive pipe or two, and a mysterious and intriguing persona. While the reality of writing is a little less romantic than that, being an author remains a unique way for people to build a new life in an alternative world. Some of our greatest thoughts have come from the books that were written in the past, perhaps one of your books will influence the future.