Oliver Scherick

When I think about the question, “Why do I write?” my mind immediately goes to my childhood. When I was a very young kid I was fascinated by imaginative stories – the surreal aspects of life. I had vivid memories of my mom reading novels to me such as Harry Potter, Eragon, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Thief Lord, and many more. These stories inspired me to write. I would sit down and write my own fantasy stories for hours upon hours.  

However as school became more demanding, and writing assignments became stricter, something happened to my passion for storytelling. I was inevitably introduced to the academic essay; which consists of a strict introduction with a thesis, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Above is a document that outlines an analytical essay. Take a look at it. Everything is laid out from start to finish. What you are supposed to say, and when you are supposed to say it. It is all predetermined. There are very few opportunities in an analytical essay to show creativity – the one aspect of writing that I was most drawn to as a kid.

When I look back on the passion I once had for writing, it is my theory that by being held to such concise standards for so many different writing assignments, for so many years, stripped me of my joy of writing. Writing became more of a task then anything else. I began to really notice this in 7th grade, because up to that point writing assignments had still been, more or less, on the creative side of things. However I remember sitting in class in 7th grade learning the format for the analytical essay for the first time – actually let me rephrase that – I remember zoning out while “learning” the format for an analytical essay for the first time. I had no idea that it would become a process that I would have to repeat over and over again. I didn't even consider that as a possibility. It was just something “stupid” that we were learning that had no application to the real world and would quickly pass me by. But I was wrong – very, very wrong. For the next five years, from 7th grade through 12th grade, this became the standard for almost every paper I wrote. And I hated it.

As a result I developed a negative connotation towards writing. But I always knew deep down I still had the desire to create an imaginary world and get lost in it. I knew somewhere inside of me I still looked at writing as something exciting. Coming to Michigan I thought I might get an opportunity to revitalize my love for writing. And in some ways this has happened. I would characterize my writing experience thus far at Michigan to be somewhere in-between what I desire to write, and what I was forced to write in middle/high school. I have had classes that have allowed me to revisit my creative, thinking outside the box – “comfort zone.” But I have also had classes similar to middle school and high school with strictly academic essays.   

It is a slow process, but overall I feel as if I am becoming more and more passionate about writing for pleasure once more. Or perhaps this passion never left at all, and instead was just buried underneath my dry, analytical for academic writing. And in a weird way, going through all those years of painful writing experiences has given me a new perspective – a perspective that allows me to answer the question “Why I write?” with more clarity.  

It is my opinion that everyone writes for different reasons. Some write because it takes their mind off their troubles. Some write because it gives them a natural high. Some write to make a living. Some write to explain what they cannot understand. And some write because they have no other choice. Everyone has their own story, their own path, and their own goals in life. What about me? Why am I writing? What have I discovered about myself through literature? I’ve discovered that it can be an extremely pleasurable activity in my life, or it can be a chore. But that is why I believe I have this inevitable tie to writing – I can’t let go. I don't want to speak for all mankind here, but the way I see it is you remember the things in life that give you the most highs and lows. Those are what stick with you. Look at what people get addicted to: drugs, gambling, relationships. These are all aspects of life that provide extreme highs and extreme lows. And people search for activities in their life that match this feeling of excitement. Nobody remembers the average parts of life.

I was in love with writing as a kid; I’ve made that clear. And I disliked the way writing was presented to me as a teenager; perhaps I’ve made that clearer. But what I hope I am now making very clear is how strong my emotions are toward writing. I’ve loved it and I have hated it but it has always been a part of my life.

Interestingly I have had the same love/hate relationship with reading. There were times where I couldn't stand the book I had to read for school. As a young teenager my parents would often force me to read for 20 minutes a day because I wouldn't have read otherwise. But there have also been times where I have not been able to put a book down. I remember in 11th grade reading Catcher In The Rye in a day and a half.

I applied to Minor in Writing at the University of Michigan because no matter what my experiences in literature have been like up this point, the bottom line is that I feel strongly about them. That passion is what lets me know I should continue pursuing literature opportunities.

Perhaps it is that same passion that is responsible for why I decided to write in the first place. Most kids aren’t drawn to the idea of sitting down and writing imaginative stories, most kids express their creativity by running around and playing. This is not to say I never had fun playing around as a kid, but I was always fascinated with being able to put thoughts to paper. This way, I always had whatever world I created in a tangible form. I could revisit that world, revise that world, or add onto that world. Writing gives you power that other forms of expression do not.  

So why do I enjoy this power? “Why do I write” those things which I like to write? For a lot of reasons:

I write to escape reality. The “real world” isn’t always the ideal place to be. Being able to create and live in an alternate reality can take your mind off some negative aspects of reality and focus it on the some amazing aspects of imagination.    

I write to be creative. It has always been in my blood. I never seemed to do anything exactly by the book, I always found my own way. I love that the mind never stops thinking.

I write to question ideals. If there was one part of academic writing I enjoyed, it was addressing the common critique or opinion of a novel, and proving why it is wrong or incorrect. 

I write to give meaning to parts of life that others may gloss over. You have probably heard a phrase similar to, “enjoy the little things in life,” but I truly believe that. I enjoy writing about aspects of life that individuals may take for granted in detail, in attempt to bring out the beauty in the “small” parts of life.

I write to understand myself. There are times where thoughts will come to my head while writing that I never would have experienced otherwise.

I write to feel inspired and joyful. Writing makes me happy. There is a reason I keep coming back to it.

And just as I did when I was a little kid, I write to have fun.