When I was 16 years old, my cat Max died. It was so sad, in the condition he was in, that he went out like he did. I won't go into great detail here, yet it was harsh. I wrote a Poem for Max...I lost that Poem...but will never forget Mr. Max. That little black fur-ball was anything but bad luck, he used to sit on my lap and go to sleep while I sung him ‘Silent Night.' I used to think it's cause he liked my soothing voice, but in hindsight, he was a freaking cat and just liked to sleep.
That was the first time I'd written since I was an even younger chap. When I was a pre-puberty type of guy, there was this short story contest, I entered and placed at the top of the heap. I didn't much think about it in later years, I figured that no matter how good, bad, or totally boring what I or anybody else wrote was, they placed you just to make you feel good about you. I sometimes feel like that now.
From 16 to 24, I wrote like a madman. Slogans, Stories, One-liners, Greeting Cards, Pro-Wrestling Interviews and even started and almost finished a book, most of which I kept to myself. When I occasionally showed friends, family members, and un-expecting readers, I was always told I was pretty good. I knew I was decent, but I quit. Damn right I quit... inspiration left me or I it. That's all I have to say about that.
Fast forward to early fall of 2006, Active-Rain was already in motion and I started to post. My early posts were for crap, so were a lot of my later ones. In the future, expect more occasional crap as well. Nature of the animal I guess. I can't go back and identify the post, I can't go back and pin-point where I started to just say, "Yeah, I'm going to write as me and forget everything freaking else!" I wish I could find that moment because it was one of the better decisions I've ever made.
Why I write, when I write, where I write, and how I write, had little bearing on why I began to enjoy it all over again. This forum, Active-Rain, gave me the living diary and business enhancement that awoke the sleeping wolf. Thank you folks, whether here or there or wherever, I haven't yet begun to write...but this was and is a great kicker in the arse!
Writing is a catharsis. It's an ability to cope with anything life throws at you or you throw at life. Writing means a lot to me, it's everything I want to be, yet haven't achieved. Writing is the source, the guidance, and the observance of what I hope to become. These little words you see and read mean a lot to me alright, like life, though it is often times hard to figure out how much. I titled this post with the question of Why, I answer it with Because.
*On a side note, don't forget to tune in to my upcoming posts! Look for: "How To Handle Bad Press," "So You're Only Giving Your Client One Option?" "Nicknames In The Rain!" and "The Life And Times Of Gus Hall."*
And whatever you do, please don't forget to unsubscribe to my blog!!!
Pro wrestling interviews eh?
Jason Dahling.....I love your last paragraph here, "Writing is catharsis. It's an ability to cope...." I feel the same way, it's like the therapist I never had. Ya know, I've always been involved with the arts, writing, drawing, painting and pottery, but I have only written for business all these years (well other than long emails). I feel that AR has given me some artistic license to spew my stuff just like you.
Great post as usual Jason...er, but I can't seem to find that unsubscirbe button. ;-)
Hi Jason. I remember the first blog I posted on here....and the 2nd....and the 3rd. I was terrified!! :)
Well I was going to subscribe to your blog, but if you don't want me to.....haha. Hope you're having a good night.
Cyndee - Aw, thank you. However, play along. I want to make you subscribe to my blog all over again:-)
Tracey - Dahling.....love that term and pronunciation!!! I like spewing stuff myself! I'm working on the unsubscribe button, give me some time, I'm techno illiterate and need to make sure it works:-))
Pamela - Unsubscribe or don't subscribe now! I remember my first blogs as well, they were terrifyingly horrible!
Randy - Thank you, I could use a bit of luck. I will keep an eye on my luck. Seriously though, thanks my man!
hey !!!! :) How are you doing ? Long time not see you, it is a pleasure to read your blog again, I was passing so fast on the generals and I saw yours and I decided to stop by, I write since child LOL, but in spanish, that's the reason that sometimes you do not get what I try to say hahaha. keep the good blog and I hope to see you often.
Ray Saenz
Ray - No hablo espanol bueno, pero I am willing to learn. Long time no see indeed. Hope to see you soon amigo!
Larry - Tomorrow is another day, I'm still working on the button!
Cut that crap about unsubscribe....sounds like you're trying to pull the reverse psychology scenario. :) and you know what that means.....:)
Jason...I can vaguely remember when I started writing for me...because it was pretty much not too long after I started. When that happened I took off.
So did you.
Sis, I think you know him too well! LOL!
I could probably pinpoint when I started writing for me. That's when it didn't feel like work anymore. That's when I got addicted.
Gave you a five and a MWA. (There, I did it.)
And I sing "American Pie" to my kids and kiddies. Silent Night is good, too.
Jason,
You already know this, but I think it's okay to say this often.. Your a great writer and I still look forward to your posts and will continue to do so :0)
Tom Weiss
Jason,
I love writing too. I'm not nearly good enough to stand in the shadow of your writing greatness, but I will aspire to get there. I also wrote a short story, for which I won an award in high school, but I didn't pursue it any further. You may have just inspired me to dust that sucker off and revisit it. Thanks for the post. Blog on, my friend, blog on.
Let's try this again....
Cyndee - Good point, haven't thought that far ahead. How about you check out one of my upcoming articles and re-subscribe. Or, just rate it a 1:-)
Ginger - Your words are wise for all newbies and oldies on AR.
Kim - Thank you! You are pretty darn good yourself.
Sis - You know me too well, reverse psychology.....perhaps.....or I'm just waxing tongue in cheek:-)
Cooper - What did I tell you about the Mwa's? Seriously though, your support is truly appreciated. MWA!
Artur - Thank you sir! My pleasure.
Randy - I suppose they do, Lol!
Chris - It took a mild turn, but I posted it none the less. I hate being 'good'.
Neal - Names were released, I wasn't one of them. HA! Besides, I'd be no good on the roids, I pride myself on flexibility and threshold, so about that Tag-Team?
Missy - You are a wonderful writer, I have a lot to learn from you. That is for sure.
Carney - Get to it young chap, I don't need no bells and whistles....just unsubscribe me:-)
Well said Desire with an extra E!
Tom - And I already said this, "You are too good to me."
Thesa - The feeling is mutual my dear.
Lysa - I hear you there girl, Because I Can!
Andrew - Kind words amigo. My retort is very simple, I have a hell of a lot to learn from a guy like you.
Dad - This whole spiel is plagiarised from the late, great, Masked Blogger:-)