Writing is more than putting words on paper or encoding thousands of words on a computer; it is the act of giving form to thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It allows us to make sense of our inner life and share it with others. Through writing, we preserve ideas, express truths, and connect across time and culture. It is both a personal journey of reflection and a bridge of communication, making it a powerful tool for learning, healing, and inspiring change.
According to Dictionary.com, a writer is “a person engaged in writing books, articles, stories, etc., especially as an occupation.” But the word can also mean anyone who commits his or her thoughts to writing.
I prefer a broader view, like the one shared by Richard Nordquist on Thoughtco.com. He included a quote from Pat Schneider, who said, “Everyone is a writer.” She points out that every culture has its own way of recording ideas, whether by carving in stone, writing on bark, or sharing stories and songs aloud. From this perspective, we are all writers in one way or another. Nordquist’s observations about writing include the connections between language and the brain, the historical development of writing, and the practical considerations of writing.
For me, writing is a skill, a passion and an act of love. Love gives meaning to the words I write, and writing allows love to find its voice. Together, they help me process life’s struggles, remember its joys, and share lessons with others. When writing and love go hand in hand, even simple thoughts can become meaningful stories that comfort, inspire, and guide.
Inspiration from Literary Writers
For many readers, inspiration comes most strongly from certain authors. What they write, what mood they present their messages, and how they write motivate readers into writing their own books. It is not the authors’ names, backgrounds, race, culture, social status, or position in government that truly matters, but their work. When stories move our hearts, when they make us laugh, cry, or reflect on ourselves, we remember the author. We carry them in our hearts, not forgetting, but instead feeling inspired to follow their example or create as they did. Basically, they teach; they heal and connect us to the world.
In her article “Inspirational Authors Who Will Rekindle Your Love of Writing,” Abi Wurdeman mentioned that authors inspire because of their authenticity, commitment, curiosity, joy, and courage. Authors are indeed authentic because they write what they know is worth sharing with others without worrying too much about what readers might say. They are also committed to themselves, striving to produce something out of their creative effort without dwelling on whether they will have readers or if anyone will buy their books. Their curiosity about life and their joy in writing add to the inspiration for readers, often motivating them to become writers too.
I am most inspired by the way Florante at Laura was structured by the famous Francisco Balagtas, also known as Francisco Baltazar. Florante at Laura is a long narrative poem that tells the story of a young Christian couple’s struggles against both external and internal enemies. The story reflects the struggles of the Filipino people during the Spanish period. While it is a love story about Florante and Laura, as well as Aladdin and Flerida, with the intrusion of Adolfo, it also mirrors the difficult situation of the country at that time. Balagtas himself endured imprisonment, and this personal suffering shaped the depth of the poem. As stated in an article, the poem was written while Balagtas was serving time in a Manila prison around 1835 or 1836, and it was published in 1838 after his release (Jurilla, 2005).
I am amazed at how the author immediately used a flashback right after the climax, which was placed at the very beginning of the story. Although this piece of literature may have been written more than a century ago, its theme remains relevant and is still being experienced by us today.
the legacy of these writers is not limited to the pages of their works. Authors do more than tell stories; they awaken the storyteller in us. Through their words, we are reminded that our own experiences and reflections are also worth sharing. In their courage to write, we find the courage to begin; in their inspiration, we discover the spark to create our own voice on the page.
For me, that spark shines brightest in poetry. I love the way poems express emotions in words and lines so limited, yet so deep in meaning. One poem I deeply admire is Invictus by William Ernest Henley, written in 1875. I have even memorized it, both for my personal reflection and for use in my poetry classes. The poem speaks of the unconquerable soul and encourages readers to remain strong amidst life’s adversities. Its final stanza, with its powerful couplet, has become the most enduring and memorable part of the work.
The lines, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,” really struck me the first time I read them. For me, the poem is saying that we are in charge of our own lives. No matter how hard things may get, we should keep going because in the end, it is us who shape our own destiny. This message stayed with me and made me appreciate poetry even more.
Because of this, I started to notice other poems that also carry strong messages but in different ways. Sonnets, for example, amazed me with how carefully the words are chosen and arranged. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 and Sonnet 116 are among the poems that left a big impression on me. Sonnet 18 stood out because it shows how poetry has the power to live forever. Even though it was written hundreds of years ago, we are still reading and learning from it today. That made me realize how a writer’s words can outlast time and continue to inspire people.
Another poem that I found meaningful is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s The Rhodora. I like how it captures, in a simple way, a wise answer to the existence of beauty. It says that if eyes were made for seeing, then beauty is its own excuse for being. That idea really touched me because it reminds me that some things in life don’t need any reason or explanation—they are valuable just as they are.
Looking back, I could see how these poems connect and shape my view of life and creativity. They taught me to take responsibility for my own fate, to believe in the lasting power of words, and to recognize the value of beauty itself. Through them, I have learned to appreciate literature more deeply and to express myself with greater purpose.