For the past 11 years, the group has seen thousands of people share their responses and engage in activities around the theme #WhyIWrite.
As a lifetime lover of writing, I can honestly say the benefits are numerous. In a time when a former president and TV host had to have his daily briefings illustrated to keep his attention because he didn't like to read and simply couldn't write a coherent sentence, there's never been a greater need to write.
There's still room for writers in our world. There will always be room. The need to document history and to communicate via the written word is woven into mankind's DNA.
We've always recognized the power of the written word going back to ancient cave walls scribbled with our ancestor's messengers on them.
I'm concerned that the power of the written word is being diluted these days as fewer good writers can be found. There are hacks everywhere, brutalizing the language and lying in all caps.
I am encouraged by my granddaughter (a sophomore in high school) who loves to write unlike her peers. Her imagination pours out in cleverly written stories and essays. I like to think I'm part of the reason she loves to write and share her work with others.
Students nationwide need a renaissance of writing skills inspired by good teachers who understand the importance of the written word.
Words from Great Writers
-- "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing
--"The road to hell is paved with adverbs." Stephen King
-- "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." Anton Chekhov
"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." Louis L'Amour
As it stands, when writing becomes a lost art civilization will sink into an ignorant morass with no records to read about what happened.
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