By Nicki Jacobsmeyer
Why do I write? Besides a legitimate reason to explain the voices in my head? All joking aside, the characters and stories in my mind are brewing to one day come to life. Some have taken up residence years ago and are lingering to make their grand entrance. Others haven’t even unpacked their luggage before they’re submerging themselves in my works-in-progress. I’ve learned ignoring them is not an option. At least not a safe one. But most days, I don’t want to ignore them. The passion to share these stories, fiction and non-fiction, is fierce. I write because I love it and can’t imagine not writing. I consider writing a privilege. I want readers to discover who they are, who they want to be and see the world around them through a different perspective. The responsibility is great but so is the reward.
As I writer I love that I get to take readers to a place they’ve never seen and to time periods they wouldn’t otherwise live. The art of writing is an endless adventure. The journeys seem to make pit stops to reflect and contemplate what it all means to us personally. I know writing keeps me honest. Honest about the world, the disguised problems, the joys of the small, simple things, and honest to myself. Readers can recognize a fraud without a moment’s hesitation, especially children. They brilliantly thrive on authenticity, a quality we all can envy.
I write to inspire others the way books have inspired me. Inspiration has the power to ignite a passion for growth and change. Words can transform. Many days the words fill the page, even if they aren’t the right words. I’ve learned the blank page makes for lousy company. Then there are days that I sit down at my desk, poised and wanting to spill the story onto the page. And like a shepherd, I go to herd my flock, and they’ve disappeared. I have tended to their needs day after day and guarded them with my life, but still, I turn up empty. After they get a stern talking to, I either go for a walk or turn to a hot cup of coffee or tea for inspiration.
Either way, this crazy life of writing is put-your-seat-in-the-chair hard work. Add on a whirlwind of emotions and some days you don’t know which way is north. But I wouldn’t give it up. I couldn’t. I think of Mark Twain’s words, “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
What’s your why? Find your passion, grab hold of it, and never let it go!
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Nicki Jacobsmeyer writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. She has a middle-grade book, SURVIVING THE IDITAROD, YOU CHOOSE: SURVIVING EXTREME SPORTS (Capstone Press, 2017) and a historical non-fiction book, IMAGES OF AMERICA, CHESTERFIELD (Arcadia Publishing, 2016). Her short stories and poetry are published in several anthologies.
She is the Assistant Regional Advisor of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Kansas/Missouri region, as well as the Vice President and Children’s Author Critique Group Chair of Saturday Writers (a chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild.)
Besides reading and writing she loves to travel, knit, sunsets, family barbeques and watching a storm come in from her front porch. Check out her website and her Facebook Author Page. Twitter: @BeinspiredNJ