At this time of year, which feels like a milestone, let's rethink the 'meaning' of writing [#2nd Tomoshibi Cup Entry]

It's spring, isn't it?
There are meetings and there are partings. It's a season that makes you feel the 'milestones' of life whether you like it or not.

Perhaps that's why.
Every year around this time, I'm asked about my future at every turn.
About work. About my private life. And various other things.
And there is one thing I am asked more than anything else.

'Are you going to keep writing novels?'

I've been writing novels (or things like them) since I was in elementary school (and I've lived my life without hiding that hobby from those around me), so I think I've been asked the same thing for nearly 20 years now.

And to that, I've just kept replying, 'Yeah, I'll keep writing!'
I don't really have any particular thoughts on that itself. ...But.
For some reason, I feel like this question has been gaining weightyear after year...

Recently, I had an opportunity to be asked something similar by an acquaintance.
'Are you still going to keep writing novels in the future?' 'Yeah, I will,' went our standard exchange.
However, that time, they pressed me one step further.

'I never hear you talk about aiming seriously for literary awards, becoming a professional author, or making it a side job, Akino-san.So why do you keep writing?''

Well.................. If you ask me 'why'..................

The weightI had been feeling is, in short, this.
As I've gotten older, people have started asking for the 'meaning' behind continuing to write novels.
What are you aiming for by continuing to write novels from here on out? What do you want to become?

In fact, I get the impression that many people who write novels while working full-time are active with some kind of goal in mind.
In particular, the intensity of those who started writing after reaching a certain age is amazing.
I can feel the will to achieve something deeply from their works as well.

Conversely, I have also seen many times friends who wrote when they were students gradually stop writing as they became adults.
There are various reasons, but I remember hearing often that 'there is no longer any meaning in going out of my way to write using the limited time I have as a working adult.'

--Meaning. The meaning of writing.
The meaning of continuing to write novels even though it means carving out precious time.

Since it's a good opportunity, let me declare it here.
The reason I continue to write novels. That meaning is...

There really isn't any at all!!!!!!

No, there really is nothing...
I might casually participate in interesting public submissions or projects, or occasionally start something new, but for the most part, I just keep writing without thinking about anything...
(That's exactly why I ended up in a situation where I'm writing reflection articles for public submissions, after all.)

I don't have any business ambitions, like wanting to be an author or wanting to turn it into a side job.
And actually, I don't really have any desire to win awards in public submissions or get into the rankings on novel websites either.
Oh, of course, I am very happy to have people read them and get reactions!

When it comes down to it, for me, writing is nothing more than a hobby.
Like taking a nap on a day off, like dropping by a cafe on a whim, like pasting a ticket stub into a notebook.
I think it's just a matter of "doing it because I want to do it".

At one point, especially when I was dabbling a bit in public submissions, I used to worry about that approach.
You know, there was that line in Natsume Soseki's 'Kokoro', wasn't there?
"Anyone who has no spirit of self-improvement is a fool."
So, I thought I should probably set proper goals and aim for daily improvement in my activities.

Well, I ended up settling back into my usual stance, though.
I tried changing my perspective. I thought that if I just keep writing as I please, without any particular meaning, maybe someone would think, 'Oh, this kind of stance is okay too.'

For example, if someone who stopped writing after becoming an adult saw me and thought, 'Oh, it's okay to write this casually.' And then, on a whim, they wrote a short story.
I think that would be the very 'meaning' of me continuing to write.

So, I will continue to write without any 'meaning' in the future as well.
To those who are thinking of writing something, those who have worried and stopped writing, and those who are currently thinking about various things.
I can't say anything grand, but please just keep this in the corner of your mind: 'I, Sumire Akino, am still writing away today, just like always!'

See you!

There's a limit to how last-minute this is.

Once again, I'm Sumire Akino! The surname is pronounced Akino.
It's fresh to introduce myself at this timing!

This is the article I'm submitting to the aforementioned project! Probably!
The thing is, the deadline for this project is 3/31. It's just too close.
I hope I managed to slide in just in time...

The theme was Spring x Cheering for Writers, but I think I was consistent in my own way about what I wanted to write.

There are people with a stance like mine, so don't worry about it.
If I can just convey that everyone should feel free to write as they like, I'll consider that 120 points.
However, do make sure to meet your deadlines! Don't be like me! Seriously!

Well then, that's it for this time!

I post novels and tanka on Kakuyomu ↓↓