Why I Write by George Orwell

Since a young age, George Orwell knew that he wanted to be a writer, though as a young adult he tried to escape from what he knew would later on be his ultimate destiny. As a boy he was alone most of the time, and therefore invented imaginary friends with whom he would hold conversations with as a result of his isolation. He was gifted with the use of the word and expressed himself with his writings, though none were much too good. As he grew he began to delve into poetry and even had a few poems printed in local newspapers.
During his teenage years he would take part in his school’s magazines,some of which which he professed were of terrible quality. He remembers of how he kept a mental diary of sorts, with third person stories of his life that he held in his mind. His rhetorical styles were influenced by many authors, though he knew he had a descriptive quality similar to them. At sixteen he abruptly discovered a happiness at the sound and organization of words. He understood what kind of literature he wanted to write; big realistic novels with great description and dismal endings. One of these such books was written at the age of thirty. It's called "Burmese Days".
Orwell gives us this background check because he feels it is important to know an author’s history in order to understand his intent. There are many influences in a writer’s life. One such is the age he lives in. His life experiences will give him a demeanor which will affect his approach in writing. There are four factors which are the drive for many authors. One is egoism; the quest for recognition and prestige. Another is creative inventiveness; wanting to create a beautiful work of art in form of prose, rhythm, and word organization. The longing to share one’s life lessons and experiences. The third is historical appeal; wanting to document with genuine actuality and therefore become a part of that history. The fourth is political principles; the desire to share one’s point of view and to try to convince the reader to agree with you. These factors vary in degree of influence from author to author, and some are of no importance at all.
To Orwell political principles was a great influence. Since a young age he had been through many ordeals, including several wars and a while in poverty. This shaped his political beliefs a great deal, and he became an anti-imperialist who hated the times he lived in. He understood he could be politically active, but with tact and maintaining his intellectual integrity. Although it is difficult and complicated, through his own aptitude and virtuosity he would instill his political views and expose issues that need to be exposed without losing that aesthetic beauty that he so fondly enjoyed creating.
Though on the other hand, sometimes he did lose some of that artistic edge to make room for serious topics, such as the spanish civil war in “Homage to Catalonia”. As of late, he made his writing more clear and less artistic. He feels that when a writer is too comfortable with a style of writing, it is time to move on. Orwell has made his writings public-spirited. But he recognizes that all writers are egoistic and lethargic, and there is always a hidden motive. And to the author it was his political purpose which gave him that drive to write what were considered his greatest works.