Why do you want to be a writer?

We all have muses, etc. as mentioned in the previous post. Do you know why you want to be a writer? I can't say I've written enough to myself well, but I can imagine a few reasons.

First, it's a way of being at peace. Like in The Blue Castle, Valancy used her imagination to change her dismal reality into something she liked thinking about. I find that there are things in life that one cannot help but wonder what alternative destiny would occur if things could be changed as easily as say, editing a character's name. Have you had a bully or enemy you would like to see get their just desserts? Writing, just as reading, can be an escape from reality- an outlet.

However, it can be employed as a tribute to reality, a way to relive the most relished moments in life. I get nostalgia about the strangest things. For example, the other day I thought about being a new student at FIU. In my first semester, I would arrive early and sit in GC at a table or outside near the fountain, and read my Arthurian romances and eat granola bars for breakfast. I loved the thrill of being in a new school, taking classes I loved so well (and thrived at), and reading exciting tales about knights, maidens, kingdoms, and magic. The yellowish lights never bothered me and I learned to tune out the top hits on the radio (I believe it was a necessary skill to learn when you live with 8 other people). I think a big part of the joy I felt sitting there was the feeling that I belonged in that Arthurian Lit class. It was my element. I understood and loved every part of my new role as an English major. I know I'm mediocre at best, but that's what we're about here!

I have strong feelings of nostalgia sometimes. What causes that? Does everyone experience it? I was listening to Franz Ferdinand's most recent album, Tonight, when I remembered driving to FIU in my "new" 1998 Chevy Prizm (the nicest car I ever drove because it had A/C & a CD player) using my shiny CD player to listen to the first two Franz Ferdinand albums. Starting at FIU was a euphoric experience for me. Even if home life was shit, I had the freedom to drive, listen to music, be a student, have my job. It was a time when I had nothing to worry about. Writing a paper? Taking a test? Cake! I can handle these things. These were the elements I had under my control, and I suppose that lends some credit to its being such a satisfying experience. Things went downhill rapidly after graduation, but I was truly happy while I was there.

Briefly back on the topic of music- I find that I remember specific locations I was at when I heard a song or album for the first time. I remember being in my Victorian history class when I listened to The Servant album. I would listen to it over and over. I drove down 8th street for that class because it was in one of the trailer things near the stadium on the north side of the school. Weird, right? I mean, that it's so specific. Ok, I've got nothing more to say on the subject for the time being. Good day.