Why do I write? What prompts me to sit in front of a screen and put words on a page? What is it that causes me to agonize over word choice or sentence structure? Who am I really? Do people really want to read what I have to write?

It’s not like I’m anyone famous. No one sits outside my door waiting to get pictures of me with my shirt off for some tabloid newspaper. I’m just a father and husband who has enough success programming that he can do it full time for himself. There are lots of people like me out there.

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My mom wants to read my site, maybe my wife if I tell her it’s not about programming. My 2 year old asks me what’s on my website when she comes in to my office, but she can’t read.

Many wouldn’t consider me a writer. I don’t make money from my writing. I do get some client work due to tutorials, but on my personal site all you really get is a reasonably unfiltered view of me. A peak in to the topics that are interesting me lately.

Contrary to much blogging wisdom, I don’t stick to any topic at all. You’ll find articles about cycling, fatherhood, finance, and client relationship/business here. Despite that topic randomness, people seem to come back and read.

I feel compelled to write. A few days a week I sit down and just have words brimming on the brain. Diving in to coding only leaves me wishing I had put some words on the proverbial paper. It provides no release for my thoughts. Like a thoroughbred in the gate, my mind is just waiting to be released.

So why do I write? Because I have to, same reason I breathe. To not write or breath would mean part of me is dying.

photo credit: Darwin Bell via photopin cc

3 responses to “Why I Write”

  1. Justin Saad Avatar

    Hi Curtis,

    Nice post. You touched upon this a little bit at the end of your article but here are my two cents:

    I think that the traditional view of someone who is a professional developer/coder is that he has no people/communication skills. To me that’s old fashioned but I think a lot of people still have this misconception.

    Writing a blog is a great way to show that you are intelligent, insightful, creative, well-rounded, and a bunch more adjectives that show you have a personality and aren’t just a code monkey. People realize that they can relate to you and get a better sense for the real value of everything you have to offer.

    1. Curtis McHale Avatar
      Curtis McHale

      There have been a few clients that went with me instead of another person after reading my site. At least only a few have told me that was a reason.

      I didn’t mention it in the article, but the process of writing helps force you to give ideas full form. Instead of something vague rolling around in your head.

  2. John Saddington Avatar

    agreed. 100%. i write because i can do no other.