Secondly - you will notice a Calvin & Hobbes cartoon in today's blog. Not sure if Bill Watterson is going to have a problem with that. I hope he doesn't - I'm a huge fan. And besides - I happen to own the hardcover Calvin & Hobbes compendium. So...everyone got paid who should have gotten paid. [Note to Bill Watterson's lawyer - if my borrowing of the image is a problem...let me know. I'll remove it.]
Today's blog entry is in answer to a question that I received a while back. The question was, "why do you write?".
Good question. And one for which there is more than one answer. Some are smart ass responses such as:
- I'm writing so that Oprah will see my blog and then get me on her show so that I can flog the book that I have yet to write. It's all about the fame and fortune - and free loot! Now obviously - that hasn't happened...nor is it likely to. But hey - if you happen to know Oprah...feel free to forward this blog to her. I'm sure she would like it. Or....just send me her email address, and I'll take care of the rest. No need for a phone number - I'm sure she's a busy lady who doesn't answer her own phone.
- And of course there's the usual flippant remark "because I can!". That's always a real crowd pleaser. Actually I do know that I write fairly well - always have. A love letter from me is something to treasure! Not really sure who might actually have one anymore - likely no one (except my wife....in case she's reading this.). But if you do...hang onto it. It'll be worth a ton of coin after Oprah and I yak at each other on her show.
- I write because I can.
- I write because it's a healthy outlet for the frustration that I feel at times in raising an autistic child. It can be frustrating on so many levels (from the 'looks' from other people...to the temper tantrums....to the constant realization that my experience as a parent will never be the experience that I had planned for....and so on). It's just really frustrating at times.
- I write because raising an autistic child can at times be the most wonderful experience ever. Odd isn't it? It's either really good....or not so good. Like my son - there are no shades of grey involved...it's black or white, yes or no, up or down....rarely if ever is it somewhere in the middle (but when it is? Man....is that ever sweet!).
- I write because I actually enjoy the process of writing.
- I write because I enjoy the feedback that I get. Typically - it's positive feedback - so I enjoy that a great deal. The rare negative feedback I somewhat enjoy as well....it typically gives me something new to write about.
- I write because I feel I have to. I read a lot about autism...and I lot of what I read is really misinformed crap....so I kind of feel somewhat obligated to do my part to correct people's misconceptions as to what it really is...and what my life is really like. My life didn't end when my son got his diagnosis - it just went in a different direction. No better and no worse than anyone else's life....just different.
- I write because my son entertains the hell out of me. He's a brilliant child with a heart of gold. I want to share that with others - and in particular....those who are just starting their journey down this road. Yes - it's hard at times...really hard in fact. But it's not all bad. Actually there are times where it totally rocks (bacon...and now chicken theft aside).
- I write in the hopes that one day my son will read this blog and truly understand how much better off I am as a person for having met him.
- I write because I get paid to. Yes. I actually get paid by Google when you kind people click on an ad. No one is getting rich here...but the money that it does make is ear marked for my son's RESP. So...keep those clicks coming people (but only click an ad if it's something you're truly interested in. Google takes a dim view on click fraud).
- I write because the more I learn about my son - the more I learn about myself. He's a mini version of me in many respects. The things that bug him - also tend to bug me. Things need to be in order. Things need to be done a specific way. Things need to be done properly. The only difference being - I can adapt much easier to the environment than him. It's like has the same emotional perspective on things that I do...only magnified by a factor of 1,000. He's getting more flexible as he gets older - so that's a good thing. So in essence - when I tell my son that I understand what he's dealing with....I really do. And that helps him deal with things a little better.
- I write because I like the analytic side of things. I get some really interesting reporting on how people found my blog, where they're from, what they clicked on, etc. It's really exciting (for me....yes...I'm a bit of a data dweeb) to see the geographical reach my blog has had.
- I write in the hopes that you will bookmark my site - and come back often. I have lots to write about!
- I write in the hopes that you will share my blog with others.
I write for a multitude of reasons. And as long as my son keeps amusing me as he so often does (and cheese me off...as he also frequently does) - I'll continue to peck away at the keyboard....always in the hopes you'll take something away from what I have to say.
So - there you have it. A whole bunch of reasons in answer to the question, "why do you write?"? I write for me, I write for my son. And I even write for you.
And now I have a question. Why do you read? I really want to know. What are you getting out of this? Are you learning anything? Has your perspective on autism changed in anyway? I'd love to know.
If you want to share that with me - that would be great. All I ask is that you use the comment box below, and not use my Facebook wall to tell me. I tend to go through my wall every few months and delete everything....and I suspect you're going to tell me something that I'll want to keep...and that I would like others to see as well.
Cheers!
Paul
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