I know this won't be a typical lesson, but I figured that this would be a good place to start. Honestly, why do we write? There isn't really a true answer. Any reason is a good reason, even if you feel it is dumb. I fact, I don't think there is a dumb reason as to why one writes. They are all logical.
Some possible reasons I thought of are as follows:

*money - I'm sure this isn't the sole reason for most, but could factor into why one does it. Of course, this would mainly apply to published authors or those with Patreon.

*passion - Some folks just really like to throw the pen to the page and make a glorious number of chicken scratches. If you've got the passion, then write.

*to tell - Emotional or personal stories are other reasons why people write. Millions of hurting people out there have a story to tell, but no one to tell it for them. When I think about writing, I always remember back to the times when my friends would cry, begging to understand why no one cared. I want people to care. I just can'[t understand why some people are so apathetic to the broken people in this world. It truly makes no sense.

*To elicit a response - Getting someone to laugh or cry form reading your story is considered an achievement. Some, I'm sure, write solely for this purpose.  

This is only a few ideas I had. Perhaps one of these fits you. I know I didn't cover everything, but the purpose of this mini-lesson is for you to think. I'd like you to answer a few questions. Don't worry; there's no wrong answer. This isn't for a grade or anything. Purely consideration and curiosity.

1. Why do you write? (You can list more than one reason.)

2. Can you think of a few more reasons besides what I listed.

3. Are the reasons provided all good reasons? Why or why not?

4. What stories do you like best? What purpose do you suppose the author wrote them for? (not restricted to reasons I provided.)

You don't have to answer these, but I'd prefer if everyone participated.

Thanks!
Signed,
Pencil Melody, principal

1. Why do I write? To express myself, because as much as we are encouraged to express ourselves, society looks down on those of us whos expression is different. With writing I can take my anger out on characters, let them face the same battles I do.

2. to cope. I have a buddy who uses writing as a way to cope with the pain he's experienced.

to escape- because haven't we all wanted to just get away for a little while?

3. I don't think money is a good reason to write. Because if your writing just for money you can't always put your heart and soul into it. It leaves something lacking when someone focuses on money alone for their reason to write. The others I'll agree are good reasons, simply because they are what they are. Passion drives the world, some are born with a story to tell, and if no one tried to get a response from another emotions wouldn't be as meaningful.

4. I like stories that show a struggle within society. I want a character who struggles emotionally, physically, or mentally to fit in within the tight circle that is considered to be the norm. People who write those usually know what it's like to be the underdog.

1. Why do you write? (You can list more than one reason.)

I write to tell. I just have so much I want to tell to poeple and in speaking people refuse to listen (I am not at the top of the social hierarchy) , but when I write I can express everything and people listen.

2. Can you think of a few more reasons besides what I listed.

To deal with everything the world tosses at you,
because you are on a ludicrous quest to try and find the formula to write a perfect sentence that sums everything you want to say,
To explane why,
To teach people their actions and words have a huge effect on other people,
because you hope so much that maybe just maybe you could do for someone else what a book did for you.

3. Are the reasons provided all good reasons? Why or why not?
I am not a big fan of books for money it just seems.... crooked, like a lie.

4. What stories do you like best? What purpose do you suppose the author wrote them for? (not restricted to reasons I provided.)

For me the best story is one that I read and forget about only to remember strongly some lesson i learned from it at some random time. I love books and stories that irreversiably change your perspective. It doesnt have to be a huge change just a change.

1. Why do you write? (You can list more than one reason.)

I write to enter my world, to write how I feel, etc. Also it great to write when my day's over. Days and weeks can be frustrating so I write or draw, etc.  

2. Can you think of a few more reasons besides what I listed.

To write it's there, even if you can't say the words out loud at least you can spill them out with ink or with a pencil on paper, notebook, etc.

3. Are the reasons provided all good reasons? Why or why not?

Not all reasons are good but if it helps you (financially/non-financially) then do it. If not then find another way.

4. What stories do you like best? What purpose do you suppose the author wrote them for? (not restricted to reasons I provided.)

I like stories with lessons, a story I can relate too, or a story that matches my world and love for the Joker, Harley, Alice in Wonderland, etc.

1) I write so I can express myself and my imagination. I am horrible with words and I have issues with English even though it's my first language (I'm a linguist, so yeah.... ) I also have things that I stand for and do not stand for, so I express how I feel through characters and through their situations. I write because it's a talent given to me and I have to honor God with my talent.

2) I am a teacher even though I am still in highschool and my life is very, very stressful with work and sometimes other drama. As a therapy, I do writing. I let out my emotions before I lash out on someone else. Also, ever since I was a kid, I had been interested in writing and art. I have a chance to get my story out there and I am working my best to take it because it could shape my career.

3) Hmm...write because you enjoy it. Not money. If you get paid for it later, then do something good with it. But don't let money be the reason you write. Besides, if you were to write for a writing company, wouldn't you have some restrictions to what you write? Write like you can't be put in a box and write like you can't be replaced. If you end up making money in the end, don't use it for stupid reason. This is what I tell myself.

4) I like allegories, stories with symbolism and meaning, stories with characters I can learn from. I like stories that can either blow my mind or make me say "woah, this writer can write!" I like something that is gripping and it can make me go to tears. I like something to get me pumped, or even something that can slow me down and let me think.

And most of the writers out there I read from write because they have something to say. One I have read from was told to give money to an organization he detsted because he did something perfectly legal and they didn't like it. What he did was he told those he worked for not to pay him. In that time, he wrote not just for a living, but so he could also express himself and what he believed.

1. Why do you write? (You can list more than one reason.)

I write because I have a crazy imagination that gets ticked off by the slightest activity or event. Be it a movie dialogue , a poster , a conversation , a line of a song or anything at all. These ideas take a life of their own in my head , with sometimes complete endings and sometimes just a few scenes. To witness my characters take life as I write and continued these incomplete scenes or embark on those completed stories makes me feel like my writing is a portal for them to another dimension , and this feeling gives me immense satisfaction.

2. Can you think of a few more reasons besides what I listed.

Satisfaction, happiness , to spread awareness about cultural political and ecomical issues, to maintain a diary/ journal and to get those creative juices flowing.

3. Are the reasons provided all good reasons? Why or why not?

I don't think there us any good or bad reason for why one writes. If you have a passion for it, then you shouldn't hold back , whatever the reason be!

4. What stories do you like best? What purpose do you suppose the author wrote them for? (not restricted to reasons I provided.)

The kite runner is one story that is closest to my heart. I love Angels and Demons , the Hunger Games and the list could go on. I don't believe that I give preference to one story genre / plot over the other , and enjoy stories that are written with heart and make me feel like I am going with the protagonist on his/ her story. I especially like stories which have strong , well defined characters possessing leadership qualities , and I find those stories empowering and motivating.