Quite recently, someone asked me, “Why do you write?” That was during the time when I was taking a break from writing, so then I said, “Right now, I’m not.” I’ve only just recently started to write quite a bit. Not on Rise of the Forgotten Kingdom, sadly, but I’ll get to it; I’m still brainstorming. But now that I’m back into writing, I have a better idea of why I’m a writer.

Just a year or two ago, I wrote stories because I loved to write. Right before my major depression and my break, I was starting to get more of an idea of why I was writing. Now, I know I want to share my own morals and beliefs in my own way of writing. Through my writing, I’m not preaching; through my characters’ experiences, I’m sending messages. Readers who pay attention – or care enough to think about it – will spot themes that I feel are important, like friendship and love.

My messages aren’t easy to find, because I try not to make it obvious that I’m trying to bring a point across to my readers. I love reading a story that makes a point (one reason why Tamora Pierce’s works are some of my favorites – girl power FTW!), but if it’s trying to force it down my throat or saying, “it can only be this way,” or totally twists something in a wrong way. Even worse, I hate reading stories without a point. One reason I’ve lost my loyalty to the Inheritance Cycle; I fail to find some kind of point in it.

But of course, everyone interprets things differently. I could be saying something simple like, “life’s not fair,” and they could get something else. So how do you make it obvious without making it too obvious? That’s what I struggle with the most.

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Dear Friend,

I’m glad we’re starting to talk again. I’ve missed you. I hope we can keep talking, even once you start college. Good luck with that, by the way. Keep my phone number with you. <3

Your friend,

Steph

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Oh, and by the way, thanks mom. I love you.