Found this from Henri Nouwen on Quotes for Today which makes a lot of sense and answers the ‘how/why do you write?’ questions:

Writing is not just jotting down ideas. Often we say: “I don’t know what to write. I have no thoughts worth writing down.” But much good writing emerges from the process of writing itself. As we simply sit down in front of a sheet of paper and start to express in words what is on our minds or in our hearts, new ideas emerge, ideas that can surprise us and lead us to inner places we hardly knew were there. One of the most satisfying aspects of writing is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.

In other words, the actual activity of writing can aid our thinking, can surprise us with what we come up with.

This blog, for me, is essentially thinking aloud in a journal type way. I throw things around and hope to come up with something more rounded than when I started. The 20 or so regular readers (do you need to get a life?!) know as fact that a lot of my thinking aloud should actually stay in silence in my head! The end result cab be so much better, however, when others comment.

I am reading quite a lot for my course at the moment and one of the sad things is that it is not possible to speak to the author, to ask questions, to challenge, to ask for clarification with the ‘yes, but what about …’ type question. Everything is so frustratingly one sided, which I actually quite dislike.

I love it when people comment here, particularly when we are coming from opposite ends of the spectrum with our ideas. To many, this method of dialogue may be alien, through fear of offending or worry over what others may think of your comments. This, though, is a great way to think, to reflect, and to ponder, and to develop ideas. I love being challenged and made to think, so don’t hold back there – rather than just reading, why not start to write either here or on your own blog?