Every author travels a unique path that is their writing journey. From the moment we first picked up a book that inspired us, to the final written (or typed) word of that first manuscript, we’ve all been there in some unique way. While my tale is not unique unto itself, perhaps my experiences somewhere between the beginning and now can shed some light on what it’s like or ease the concerns of a weary writer.
Writing, in one form or another, has always flowed through my veins. From the very first set of lyrics when I started playing guitar and poems to which no music fit, to the numerous screenplays, and finally to the novels that have led me to write this. But my background plays little importance in the story. I grew up a mile and a half outside Chicago in Niles. I had, what I considered, a fairly normal childhood. We all have our trauma to bear. That’s part of why we write.
Growing up, I read a lot of Hardy Boys. Fun detective stories to capture the imagination of youth. As I got older, I read different genres and more politically charged novels like Johnny Got His Gun. The worlds within books always held my fascination, captivating me to escape into them. When that happens, you feel the calling to write. So, here I am. Writing about myself has never been my strong point. I much prefer stories. I guess that’s why I write fiction and not non-fiction.
When an idea for a story slides into my consciousness, I let it marinate. I may start writing a few pages to see what my immediate mind brings to the table, but I let it marinate. It stews in my head for a while, thinking about whether the initial idea holds any relevance past the first bloom. Will it make for a good story or a good anecdote within some other story? If it might make a good book, what is the story about? What endings can happen? If the idea is a boy meets girl, does it end with him getting the girl? Could it be he gets a different girl from the initial crush? Or some other possibility? More importantly, I ask myself, “Why am I telling this story? What about this needs to be told?”
After convincing myself that my idea is worth telling, thus worth being read, I plot. I do not subscribe to the discovery method solely. Plotting on cards or within software like Scrivner will help you discover what needs to happen in order for A (the beginning) to end at Z (the end). I know that some would crucify me for saying such things against discovery writing, but it is not my jam. Of course, it isn’t all plotting. At some point, I start writing. And the writing goes well for a while until I hit a wall. I do not believe in writer’s block. I believe that being prepared for the inevitable wall is how to get around that block. I plot, I write, I hit wall. So not what? Now, I go back and plot. Figure out what within the plot caused the traffic jam. From there, it’s a rinse-and-repeat kind of thing.
Writing is the easy part. Finding the inspiration for the story can hit from out of nowhere. One day, I can be standing outside a fast food joint, waiting on my burger when I see someone who reminds me of someone and my mind starts weaving a tale of lost love and bad decisions. Another day, my inspiration spawns from the title of an X-Files episode. Not the subject matter of the episode or anything, just the title.
We all have stories to tell. Some are novels, and some are novellas. A few of us have the gift (or curse) for epic stories. But in order to write, we need to experience this thing called life in all the shades it comes in. The ecstasy, the agony, and everything between. Go live. Enjoy the moments as they pass and see what they whisper to you. Who knows? Perhaps your next moment could be what inspires you.
