“You write in order to change the world, knowing perfectly well that you probably can’t, but also knowing that literature is indispensable to the world. . . . The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way . . . people look at reality, then you can change it.”
–James Baldwin
–James Baldwin
This quote is used by Mary Pipher to preface her book Writing to Change the World: An inspiring guide for transforming the world with words. In the introduction, she talks about a writer’s job being to “tell stories that connect readers to all the people on the earth” and says that as “cultural brokers for the world of ideas” we are to “share, as best we can, what we know.”
Although I am only a few chapters into the book, I can see that it has not only inspired me to keep writing, but also to continue examining who I am and what I believe. I’m curious, what are your motivations for writing and what has inspired you?
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I'm a mom with Asperger's raising an amazing son with autism, which means I'm basically the case manager/advocate/cheerleader/chauffeur. The rest of the time, you can usually find me with my nose in a book!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is very inspirational. I’ve learned just thru blogging itself how the posts have changed me. Even those I don’t agree with! My perspective broadens.
*Sent from my Treo*
This is very inspirational. I’ve learned just thru blogging itself how the posts have changed me. Even those I don’t agree with! My perspective broadens.
*Sent from my Treo*
Oops. I published before I was finished. Anyhoo, I have always considered myself as an Editor vs. a Writer. Even a laundry list of unordered thoughts would spur my creativity to lace them together into something much more eloquent than what would come out of my mouth impulsively. As far as what inspires me? I’m attracted to writings that challenge my opinions, help me formulate an opinion, help me discover who I am, make me laugh out loud from obvious humor to subtle wit (and have pretty pictures…oooh aaaah). Great post!
*Sent from my Treo*
Oops. I published before I was finished. Anyhoo, I have always considered myself as an Editor vs. a Writer. Even a laundry list of unordered thoughts would spur my creativity to lace them together into something much more eloquent than what would come out of my mouth impulsively. As far as what inspires me? I’m attracted to writings that challenge my opinions, help me formulate an opinion, help me discover who I am, make me laugh out loud from obvious humor to subtle wit (and have pretty pictures…oooh aaaah). Great post!
*Sent from my Treo*