This question came from mimagirl:

Why do you write?  Part 1 of 4


Joni Sensel, REALITY LEAK, Henry Holt, Spring 2007

It sounds selfish, but I write first and foremost to help me understand life. It's taken me a number of years to realize that I'm mostly telling MYSELF stories. But that's why I lose interest in a writing project if I know too far in advance how it will end... because if I'm too certain of the answers to the thematic questions, I no longer need to ask and explore them.

Communicating with others -- reaching out, touching, find common ground, and understanding another person -- is a second important reason for me. Whether reading or writing, there are few feelings cooler than that, "YES! That's exactly how it seems for me, too!" reaction.


Judy Gregerson, BAD GIRLS CLUB, Spring 2007

I write because I have something to say that I think others need to hear. The problem with that is that when I don't have something to say, I don't write. I often wish that I was like a lot of writers I know who can just sit down and write a story because they like to write stories. I'd probably be more prolific if I saw writing as something other than a way to tell the world something I believe they need to hear.

www.judygregerson.com


Paula Chase, SO NOT THE DRAMA, Kensington/Dafina, March 2007

Writing is my favorite form of communication.  I'm able to better express myself when it flows from my fingers.  I write to get things off my chest, share what makes me happy, purge myself of things that make me sad.  I write for many reasons.

When it comes to my novels, I write because these are the type of stories I would have loved as a young reader.  Writing fiction is like day dreaming, for me.  So it's as much an escape for me as I hope it will be for my readers.

www.paulachasehyman.com


Thanks, mimagirl, for asking us such a great question!


Please feel free to post any comments or questions below.  We'd love to hear from you!

Ah... As promised pictures from the amazing Kidlit Drinks Night, sponsored by Fuse8 and in honor of Class of 2k7.

Gasp.

I swear, it's true. It was really in honor of us, and we even grabbed a mention on GalleyCat, home of my new literary world crush. Why? You should check out the Maureen Dowd entries on the blog.

Note: I accidentally gave everyone redeye, so the pictures are in black and white. Just, um, pretend that's on purpose to increase the glamorous aspects of the night.

First up... The beautilicious Betsy Bird aka Fuse #8.



Next, we have the gang. Yes, my eyes are closed. Yes, half of Greg's face is gone. I did not take this picture. The people in it are: Greg, Sarah Beth, Betsy, Ruth, Alice, Carrie, Rebecca, Thatcher.
 
I did take the rest of these pictures, though...
Like this one of Greg Fishbone and Mr. Bell

Here is our own A.C.E. Bauer (right) and her editor Lisa Findlay

Mr. Fishbone again...

Ruth is in the picture below. She's the one with a big smile, and I'm in the next picture with Ron Hogan of Galley Cat. I only looked scared because I'm trying to take the picture by holding the camera way up high in the air.

Rebecca and Thatcher are in the picture on the left. Sarah Beth, Betsy, Ruth and Alice.