A study investigated whether there are common experiences which most people who become writers share. Samples of autobiographical writing assignments completed by about 120 graduate students (over 90% of whom already had some teaching experience) enrolled in masters programs in education and/or English were examined. Most of the narratives were structured in chronological order, and an overwhelming majority stress the importance of early childhood literacy experiences. No consistent pattern of success or failure, enthusiasm or alienation emerged from their first school experiences. Almost every single writer at least mentioned having engaged in some sort of private (or even secret) writing activity between the ages of 12 and 20. Many spoke at considerable length about the attraction of writing for themselves without the desire or possibility of communicating with any other reader during this period of their lives. Findings question the extent to which it is valid and helpful to place primary stress on "writing for communication" in courses and textbooks. What has given writers their greatest help in becoming writers may have been private, personal expression. (RS)