Why do you write?

We all write. Whether it’s just little posts on Facebook, emails, articles or even computer code, we all write.

I write for dozens of reasons. My primary one is because it allows me to share with the world the thoughtful, crazy and sometimes downright absurd ideas that bounce around my head. Sometimes, they help people. Sometimes they amuse people. Sometimes they make people shake their head. But it elicits a response.

And that response gives me a small degree of validation. So I write for you, but also for me. Every like, comment, share and mention of something I’ve written makes me feel valued, to a degree. The sum total adds to my satisfaction with life.

Without writing, I’d be a heap of self-deprecation and (probably) depression.

Why do I share this? Today is the National Day on Writing. Millions around the world will be sharing their reasons and inspiration for writing on social channels using the hashtag #WhyIWrite. (It’s okay. You can stop and go do that now, if you like!)

I’ve been honored to work with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) on this year’s official efforts. The hashtag exploded last year with major media outlets, celebrities and more sharing their reasons for writing, thanking their parents, teachers and mentors for making them good writer and so on. We expect that to happen again this year since it’s really just a celebration of what inspires you.

But in order to turn all of your inspiration into a resource and inspiration point for everyone, we’ve built a platform at http://www.whyIwrite.us that aggregates the best posts from all over the world using the hashtag. The site also features a new #WhyIWrite podcast with host C.C. Chapman as a centerpiece for ideas and inspiration that will last throughout the year, not just the one day.

The idea behind the podcast is to interview writers – authors, poets, songwriters, screenwriters, coders, lawyers, teachers, speechwriters – to find out what inspires them, how they write, what they do to overcome the challenges of writing, how they found success, who taught them and more. The podcast is available right on the site and through iTunes and other popular podcast subscription services.

So go there and subscribe. It will be a valuable resource for you, whether you proactively call yourself a “writer” or just happen to write as part of what you do or who you are.

But for today, tell me this: Why do you write? You can post it in the comments or on your favorite social media platform. Use the hashtag #whyIwrite so everyone can learn from your experiences.

While I’m at it, I have to thank my mother, Sara George, and two teachers in particular – Jeanne Williamson and Modena Sallee – who taught me to write. The latter two were teachers of English. The former was my predecessor in the communications business, a newspaper editor and often my biggest fan/harshest critic. Their influence on me is immeasurable. So I thank them.

And I thank you, too. For reading.