The primary reason I write is that I’ve always written. My report cards described me as articulate, and I’ve always put my fluency with words to paper. I was the student who handed in five pages describing what I did over the summer when everyone else submitted one paragraph.

Why do I write? It keeps my mind busy in a constructive way. I get to create worlds, explore character dynamics, and change a character’s decision to see what the ramifications are. I get to infuse history and some of my other interests in my writing. I get to research hobbies and interests different from my own and learn about another subculture or culture.

I write because I can plunk my characters into different settings and learn about the settings. I do my best to visit each setting in person to pick up on details and add to the world. But it’s hard to visit a cyberpunk Japan or the Altian Kingdom in the Nearer Realm. It’s also hard to visit Ancient Rome.

I hit my stride when I started writing romance. I used to write general fiction, historical fiction, or fantasy. But I found my stories were flat and lacking in depth. I added a romance arc to them, and I found the worlds were more interesting to explore, and the characters had higher stakes.

I write stories with strong romance arcs to explore the human condition. Why do some romantic relationships last while others struggle? What makes one couple happy can make another couple miserable. Some individuals grow with their partners, and others grow apart.

I find writing allows me a canvas to explore the ups and downs of relationships, to see how resilient (or not) someone can be, and to see how well someone fits or not in a situation. I always learn something from my characters.

Always.

James Acker in the Game Warden’s Match taught me the importance of listening to one’s hunches. In the Game Warden’s Match, Mirabelle Bisset taught me the importance of learning from other people and professions. Miranda Taylor from Seven Points of Contact taught me it’s okay to hold onto your core interests and hobbies even when no one else wants to do them with you. Jonas Becker in Seven Points of Contact taught me that many people pick up the pieces of their life halfway through life and end up okay. He taught me courage, resilience, and the importance of never giving up on your dream.  

In writing Jaded Hearts, I researched historical events in the District of Alberta. I researched inheritance laws to find out what Ruthanna Helms would inherit, what she wouldn’t and why. I researched First Nation populations and the social and legal constraints imposed on them in the 1880s. For the Ninth Star, I researched the War of 1812, the population demographics of Upper Canada, the advancement of Napoleon’s troops in Europe, and the weapons used during the war.

Writing is a way for me to sate my curiosity. I’m curious about history, places, people, dynamics, and systems.

Why do you write?

I want to thank @LinosVersion for the topic suggestion. Readers are encouraged to contact me on Twitter @reneegendron to continue the conversation