Wednesday, January 8, 2020

What Got Me Started in the First Place: On the Spark and Inspiration That Ignited My Writing Journey!


Happy New Year, cosmonauts near and far! I've decided in inject this new year (and decade) with a Mega-Gulp dose of optimism, and with any luck, it will last for a good while. Got a few things up in the air, but not on the writing end, which I aim to be more proactive about.

But first, a great question from our friends over at #IWSG!

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html 
Jan 8: What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just "know" suddenly you wanted to write?

I know I've answered a question like this before, and for some reason the answer feels different today. Maybe because I didn't think deep enough the first time around. I tend to gravitate toward good stories--I always have, for as far back as I can remember. And my very earliest movie memory wasn't Disney or generally aimed at kids. It was the scene of a library ghost scaring the pants off a few scientists. Maybe something about those proton streams "sparked" my interest in entertainment in general, ultimately propelling me with the desire to contribute my own ideas. Writing ended up being the medium that worked best for me, and the desire to write continues to this day.

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Update: After a few minor setbacks last month (thanks, Baby Yoda ... ), The Dragon's Heart paperback is formatted! Just a few finishing touches, ebook verson and a test read, and we'll be ready for a cover reveal next month (and tentatively a late March/early April release). If you'd like to be part of the release party, contact me here. I'll add you to the email list and send the information when its available.

After that writing wise, I'll be spending the rest of winter/spring finishing Zombie Summer 2 with a tentative October release.

Other than that, working, parenting, a weight loss routine that's actually working, some ghostbusting action this summer, and a 15th anniversary to celebrate. 2020's shaping up to be a good year.

What started your writing journey? What movie/book are you looking forward to this year? Your earliest movie memory?

I'm David, and my childhood wants a ride in the gunner's seat!

20 comments:

  1. Inspired by Ghostbusters! now that's a good one.
    Awesome your book is ready for release. Yes, baby Yoda sucked up some time, didn't he?

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  2. Congrats on your upcoming book release.

    My earliest movie memory is Born Free. I was maybe 3 when it came on TV for the first time and I watched it every year.

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  3. I think Ghostbusters more freaked me out than inspired me but then I was only like 6 when it came out. Good luck on your weight loss and writing goals.

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  4. I LOVED Ghostbusters growing up. Still do, and can't wait for the new one. The film that I believe sparked my writing interest was the animated 'A Flight of Dragons'. With this and Ghostbusters, I can see why I went down the Dark Fantasy route...

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  5. Oh that's a good source for inspiration. Are you going to watch the Ghostbusters movie that's slated to come out this summer? It looks interesting. I also like Paul Rudd.

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    1. You bet. BTH, it's the only movie I want to see in theaters this year, so far. :)

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  6. I did climb into the F-100 when I was 18. The rush just sitting in it. I probably would have had a heart attack if he'd taken me up. Just thinking about it makes my stomach lunge. 2020 feels real good!

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  7. Congrats on your upcoming release and the weight loss! I loved Ghostbusters too. Inspiration is everywhere.

    I'm one of those weird people who started writing books as soon as I could hold a crayon, but I have no idea what compelled me. My mom did read to me a lot when I was little, which might have inspired me to create my own stories.

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  8. Awesome that you are releasing a book soon.If you email me I'd be glad to include it in Follower News.

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  9. Congrats on being so close to pushing out your book. If you want to be featured one of my Friday's Interesting People(FIP) in March let me know.

    Teresa

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  10. Baby Yoda was a big setback for me, too, and I haven't even watched The Mandalorian yet. :)

    Congrats on your upcoming book release! That's awesome news!

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  11. Congrats on the upcoming book release! And the weigh loss routine that's actually working. What a great way to start the new year. My own writing journey was sparked in a similar manner to yours. I've been writing myself into stories for as long as I can remember.

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  12. Congratulations on all that is going right, and one never quite knows what will spark another person's imagination.

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  13. I bet if they ask that question again in a year or so, you might have a different response. I'm sure there's lots of things that sparked the writer in you. (One of my Christmas knitting requests was a baby Yoda beanie. I won't be able to make it as cute as the actual baby Yoda.)

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  14. I'm going to try and catch some of your optimism. Hope 2020 finds you meeting all those goals

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  15. I'm going to match you in your optimism. Hope 2020 is wonderful in every which way for both of us, make that all of us. Congratulations on your upcoming release and weight loss..

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  16. I'm definitely sharing in the optimism as we start this new year and decade. Congratulations with the pending book release, have a great 2020!

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  17. Don't underestimate the power of 80s movies. And those ghosts were in a library, so that's a win win!

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  18. I can't remember what the first movie I saw was. I would guess the Wizard of Oz and it scared the day lights out of me. I'll help spread the word.

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  19. Happy New Year!

    I would definitely like to help spread the word with your latest release.

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