Does Writing Need to Have a Purpose?

Fandango

Sadje asked an interesting question today. She asked, “Does writing need to have a purpose?”

My short answer, which is actually more of a question, is doesn’t everything we do need to have a purpose? If not, why would we do it?

But let’s stick with the topic of writing. And for purposes of this post, I’m using “writing” and “blogging” as synonyms because almost all of my writing is for my blog.

My purposes for writing are several. First and foremost, I enjoy writing. It satisfies my need to occupy my time doing something I enjoy. Another purpose is to keep my mind sharp. Blogging does that by offering challenging prompts to exercise my brain and to stimulate my imagination. At my advanced age, I need to do everything I can to keep my brain active and my synapses firing.

And finally, blogging enables me to be part of a worldwide community of other bloggers. And in these times of social distancing, being able to interact with others who enjoy writing and blogging is, to me, priceless.

19 thoughts on “Does Writing Need to Have a Purpose?”

  1. Pingback: Does Writing Need to Have a Purpose? – SHOPPEX NIGERIA
  2. newepicauthor August 10, 2021 / 5:21 pm

    This is going to sound deep, but everything is relative to everything else. All things have some type of purpose, because otherwise they would not be able to function. If nothing had meaning, nothing would get done. Humans have a desire to connect with others and to serve the greater good. If a person feels that what they do matters, that keeps them motivated to overcome obstacles. Life is full of meaning, but sometimes you need to search for it.

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  3. Sadje August 10, 2021 / 6:09 pm

    You have said it so well Fandango. All three purposes are important and useful! I too rely on my blog to keep my brain working and focused. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

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    • Mason Bushell August 11, 2021 / 1:31 am

      I think it does need to have a purpose or it’s pointless and the desire to do it will wane and we’ll not do it. That said it doesn’t have to be a higher purpose. That purpose can purely be because we enjoy it and it relaxes us..

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      • Sadje August 11, 2021 / 2:47 am

        Yes, indeed that’s true. As long as we are happy with what we write, it’s all good.

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        • Mason Bushell August 11, 2021 / 3:08 am

          absolutely right. I learned that enjoying writing is the important bit. Publication really just a bonus on that.

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  4. Paula Light August 10, 2021 / 6:58 pm

    Well said, Mr. F!

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  5. Marilyn Armstrong August 10, 2021 / 8:29 pm

    Me too. But also, at least I have somewhere to show off the photography which otherwise would live and die on my computer — a sad fate for pretty pictures.

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  6. Shweta Suresh August 10, 2021 / 9:09 pm

    Great answer to her question, Fandango. In the age of social distancing, it’s great to interact with bloggers all over the world

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  7. Marleen August 10, 2021 / 9:57 pm

    I like all of your reasons for blogging. I’m considering also writing something like a joke or a poem or a journal entry neatly on paper maybe once per week for the practice.

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  9. Terveen Gill August 11, 2021 / 6:35 am

    It needs to have a passion driving it . The purpose unfolds itself. It’s quite surprising. 🙂

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  11. leigha66 August 23, 2021 / 5:40 pm

    I like the reason you gave. Just for brain exercise it is worth it, but it is so much more that we like doing it.

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