I used to say that I wrote to have the last word, but that doesn’t seem as important these days. What does the last word mean when people skim articles, follow links to things they already agree with and ignore much that makes them uncomfortable? The last word isn’t possible, but it is nice to recall specific interactions. Sometimes I need to write about something in order to process it.
That said, I don’t write exactly what happens. I twist things, looking for the meaning, which is part of why I consider writing to be a way to get in touch with what I’m feeling. Writing grounds me. I’m happier on days that I write than on days that I don’t. And it makes me feel productive, to be editing novels that I’ve drafted. I know the characters are better after I’ve worked on them, adding little touches to make them come alive, and cutting things that bog the story down.
I write the type of stories that I like to read, which makes editing easier.