why I write

So, I just wanted to post this extended quote from Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus.  It became an instant favorite as soon as I finished it, and is probably the best contemporary work I’ve read.  Besides my simple joy in reading it, The Night Circus has been instrumental in shaping my goals and vision as a writer. So I wanted to share this with you.

“You tell stories?” the man asks, the piquing of his interest almost palpable.

“Stories, tales, bardic chronicles,” Widget says.  “Whatever you care to call them…. It’s not that important, and this isn’t why I’m here-”

“It is important,” the man in the grey suit interrupts.  “Someone needs to tell those tales.  When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narratives.  There’s magic in that.  It’s in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict.  From the mundane to the profound.  You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose.  That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words.  That is your role, your gift.  Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy.  Do not forget that.”  He takes another sip of his wine.  “There are many kinds of magic, after all.”

Storytelling is magic. And that’s what I want to do.