Why I Write

Earlier this week #WhyIWrite was trending on Twitter. Many people shared thoughtful and introspective reasons for writing. One of the most popular tweets spoke of the challenges accompanying the craft – insomnia, stress and isolation. The gif of Kermit typing furiously on a typewriter was added for dramatic effect.
Here’s what I shared.

That's simplifying a lifelong passion so I decided to expand a bit on why I write.

Not too long ago I asked my mother what toys I liked to play with as a child. She didn't recall any specific toys like dolls, Lincoln logs, or whatever else was popular with kids in the early 80s. However, she did mention that I always had a notepad and pencil with me. Apparently I would ask her and others questions then write it down. My sister concurs.

I have no recollection of this.

Who would’ve guessed? I was a budding reporter before I became formally trained in college and in the newsrooms that followed.

A writing assignment in my eighth grade English class sparked my interest in writing. Thank you Mrs. Havens for having your students write a short story. The minimum length it had to meet was eight pages. Being the overachiever that I am, mine ended up being 30 or so pages long.

I just kept writing.

And I haven’t stopped

The following school year I began writing poetry in Mrs. Mitchell’s English class. It was teenage angst on overdrive. Seriously. I was all in my feels. Other teens were rebelling against their parents. Meanwhile, I was pouring my soul into poetry. It was literal. You knew EXACTLY what I was feeling. A part of me cringes at how open I was. WTH Lisa!!!

I kept writing poetry and it got better. I'm still proud of a few of them. I even won second place in a poetry contest during Vivace, a local arts festival. To this day the poem, “Fruit in a Basket,” is my Mom’s favorite.

A school assignment my junior year of high school exposed me to journalism. I shadowed Gene Ho around for the day. At the time he was a freelance reporter and photographer for The Sun News. I went around with him as he interviewed different people for the neighbor’s column and took their picture. We ate Mexican for lunch and it was an awesome day. I loved that he got to talk to different types of people then shared their story with readers. When I arrived to college I put poetry on the back burner for term papers.

In four years I graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Two months before receiving my degree I’d already gotten a job at WLTX, the television station where I completed an internship.

Let the storytelling begin!

While in television I was always surprised when people didn't quite realize that I wrote all of my stories (we referred to them as packages). People were often caught up in the visual aspect – my hair, clothes, and accessories. Along with the video accompanying each piece (with the exception of my stint at WBTW that was my work too). Even as an anchor I was still writing scripts.

After reporting for television news for many years I’ve been able to successfully make the transition to print – magazines and now a newspaper.

Each step has been a challenge that I’ve happily accepted. I’m always looking for ways to hone my storytelling skills.

Throughout the years I’ve interviewed and written about countless people. Hopefully along the way it’s been helpful.

Here’s a few more reason for #WhyIWrite:

I write because I believe everyone has a story.

I write because I'm curious about everything… (okay, you can say nosy).

I write because I'm honoring my talent.

I write because stringing words and thoughts together on paper is joyful.

I write because frankly I don't want to do anything else.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” 

― Maya Angelou

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