Why You Should Write

Lessons from George Orwell

Writing has long been a pursuit cloaked in mystery. Some see it as a calling, others as a discipline, and others still as an inexplicable urge inspired by the Muses. But what is it that makes someone pick up a pen in the first place?

George Orwell, one of the greatest authors of the 20th century, asked himself this question in his essay Why I Write. He identified four fundamental motives behind all forms of writing: egoism, aesthetic enthusiasm, historical impulse, and political purpose.

These motives remain as relevant today as they were in Orwell’s time. If you’ve ever considered takin up writing, understanding these motives can clarify the why behind your decision to put pen to paper.

They also help explain why the written word matters — and why the world always needs more writers…

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1. Egoism: The Desire to Be Heard

Orwell’s first motive, “sheer egoism,” may seem unflattering at first. Writers, he argued, seek recognition — they want their voices to be heard, their words to be remembered, and their ideas to outlive them.

But this impulse is not necessarily a bad thing. Without a degree of ego, no one would believe their thoughts are worth sharing. The best writers harness this desire not just to express themselves, but to connect with others and write with the audience in mind.

Egoism, when balanced, drives writers to refine their craft — to be clear, persuasive, and memorable. It ensures that ideas are communicated effectively, not just for the writer’s satisfaction, but for the benefit of the reader.

Without this impulse, many of history’s greatest works would never have been written.

2. Aesthetic Enthusiasm: The Love of Language

Beyond the need to be heard, there is the pure joy of writing itself. Orwell describes “aesthetic enthusiasm” as the pleasure found in the rhythm of sentences, the precision of words, and the beauty of well-crafted prose.

Some people write simply because they love language. A great sentence, like a great melody, has an inherent power. The pleasure of structuring an argument, crafting a vivid image, or finding the perfect metaphor is what keeps many writers returning to the page.

Even nonfiction writing — whether essays, journalism, or history — relies on an appreciation for structure and clarity. It’s not just about what is said, but how it is said. The ability to shape words into something memorable is what separates great writing from the lackluster.

3. Historical Impulse: The Need to Bear Witness

Writers, in Orwell’s view, are also historians. They record what happens — not just political events, but social realities, cultural shifts, and personal experiences. Even fiction, at its core, reflects and preserves aspects of the world in which it was written.

Orwell himself was deeply committed to this idea. In Homage to Catalonia, he documented his experience in the Spanish Civil War — not as a neutral observer, but as someone who felt an obligation to tell the truth.

Today, this role remains critical. Writers record history as it happens: through books, essays, journalism, and personal diaries. They provide context, preserve memory, and ensure that important voices are heard. In an age of subversive and misleading ideas, the writer’s role as a recorder of truth is more vital than ever.

4. Political Purpose: The Power of Ideas

Orwell’s final motive is the one that defined much of his career. He even went so far as to state that “every line of serious work” he had written was driven by his political beliefs:

And looking back through my work, I see that it is invariably where I lacked a POLITICAL purpose that I wrote lifeless books and was betrayed into purple passages, sentences without meaning, decorative adjectives and humbug generally.

Not every writer engages directly with politics, but all writing grapples with ideas that have political repercussions — particularly those dealing with justice, morality, and human nature. Whether through fiction, essays, or journalism, writers shape how people understand these concepts, and thus how they see the world.

Great novels like Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four don't just present an argument, they make you live inside one. No essay or speech can lodge itself in the mind the same way an engrossing story can — because while reason alone can be debated, a story, once it resonates, is hard to shake.

This doesn’t mean every writer must be a political activist. But all writing asserts a vision of reality (either directly or indirectly) and contributes to the ongoing conversation about what matters. So at the very least, it’s political in the classical sense — in that it deals with matters of the polis.

Why Write?

Orwell’s four motives explain why writing is more than just a profession or hobby, but a fundamental act of shaping yourself and the world around you.

Some write to be remembered, some write for the love of language, some write to preserve history, and some write to influence others. Most write for a combination of all these reasons, and whatever yours is, it’s valuable.

The world will always need writers. So if you love the power of words, care about truth, and have something important to say, then there is only one answer:

Pick up the pen and write.