by Heather Kreke @HKreke

One of the most common questions authors get asked is why do you write. While the answer to this question is as varied as the author who holds it, it is an important question that every writer should ask themselves.

Most of the time writing is hard, it’s time consuming, and it can even be lonely. So why do we do it? The University of Nottingham says, “The primary reason for writing anything is to communicate with others, to stimulate interest or action from the reader. You may also use writing to help you reflect on your experiences and learn from them.”

Okay, sure, that’s why you write. But seriously, is it?  Have you ever gone deeper, ever found the true root of your why? Having a powerful why will keep us going when we receive a rejection letter, when we don’t win that contest, or when all we want to do is throw our computer out a window. (Come on we’ve all been there.)

A long time ago, my why was I wanted to help teens. While that’s a great reason to do something, it’s vague. Why did I want to help them? What did I even want to help them with? It wasn’t until I started digging into my why that I realized what my true reasons were. I wanted to help teens realize they can trust God even when times get really tough. Even that wasn’t the root of it though. So I kept asking myself why.

Did you know the suicide rate for people ages 10 to 24 is the highest it’s been in over ten years? That’s unacceptable. Kids today are screaming  for hope. To know there is someone out there who sees them for who they are and loves them unconditionally. Someone who thinks they are good enough and worthy of living.  That’s when it hit me. Hope. I write to give teens hope.

My challenge to writers: Keep asking yourself why. Ask until you have a concise, specific, deep answer. Ask until you find the reason to get your rear end into a chair and type or handwrite something every single day. Ask until you have a reason to overcome your fear and hit send on your proposal. Ask until you have a reason to push past the rejection, the disappointment, or what ever is stopping you. Ask until you have a reason to write.

My why is to spread the hope of God to teens, what’s your why?

Heather Kreke is a young adult dystopian fiction author, Blog Manager for BRMCWC, and a Coordinator for the Blue Ridge Readers Connection. In her spare time, she teaches writing classes at her church, has written for numerous blogs, and has completed coursework through the former Christian Writers Guild. Married since 2004, Heather has three daughters and is passionate about showing teens and young adults they can find hope in God’s plan for their lives – even through the darkest times. To connect more, you can find her on Instagram or online.

If you would like to be featured on Blueridgeconference.com e-mail her at heather@heatherkreke.com with the subject line Blog Query.