Week Six: What inspires me?

I think inspiration depends upon my current mood, and what I’m thinking about at the time when that inspiration strikes.

For example, if I was feeling depressed, a story about a happy teenage couple falling into hilarious situations wouldn't appeal to me. But if I was in a more positive mood, the idea would be more appetizing (OK, probably not even then, but I needed an example).

And if I was thinking about something at the time which could connect with the idea and help it along, then I’d be more likely to write about it.

My inspiration can also take the form of genres; more specifically, I get inspired by the current genre I’m into. Say, if I was watching a lot of sci-fi movies, I’d be inspired to write something in that genre, rather than a romance or a historical novel – unless I somehow incorporate either of those into the sci-fi, which is getting into a whole other crazier part of inspiration.

Sometimes I get inspired by my dreams. An image or a scene in one dream which I remember could find its way into one of my stories, or lead to a story all on its own in creating perhaps a weird and wonderful world to work from.

Or I just get a random thought, linked to nothing and not related to anything.

I guess inspiration is just random like that, and it’s our job as writers not to question them; just to take advantage of them. 

Week Five: Letter to the World

There are many reasons why a writer publishes their work.

The most obvious is for the money, which can be seen as either greedy – or simply just work. Another obvious one is for the praise; a writer wishes to be recognized for their skills, to become immortal, or to be judged.

But some writers do so because they feel that they are not only expressing themselves and giving the world a part of themselves, but because they want the world to hear what they have to say. They have something to say, and use writing in order to convey that message to the readers who are willing to listen.

This message could be personal, and only apply to a select few. Or it could apply to everyone, and be a universal message that has the potential to change the world, if people let it.

Maybe that’s what some writers want to do; change the world and make it a better place. And if they are able to write well enough and catch the attention of the millions which make up this planet, they could make the world a better place. In this way, a story is a writer’s letter to the world, but it all depends on whether people are willing to listen.

Think about how many fans are utterly dedicated (wrongfully so, in my opinion, but it’s a good example) to Twilight. Now imagine that same dedication going into a story which encourages people to help the environment.

Yeah. 

Week Four: Social and Political Views

Out of all the writers who make their debut each year either online or in Waterstones, there’s always at least one who tries to shove their social and political views down your throat.

And we all know how annoying this is. They’re abusing their freedom of speech, making us realize why Hitler band such an act.

But this doesn’t mean a writer can’t write about the social and political views of their time. They just have to do it in a way which only informs readers of the issues, and not try and forcibly make the readers agree with them.

It isn’t entirely necessary for a writer to write about what’s going on at the time; it’s not their firm duty to do so, and there’s many other non-fiction writers doing this for them. But sometimes these issues will come out in their writing self-consciously, and many writers don’t know this – at least, I don’t half the time.

For example, Emily Dickinson wrote a lot about the American Civil War in her poetry. Whether or not she meant for these implications to show from the start is unknown, but she most likely did; the imagery in the poems is too obvious for it to be accidental or coincidental.

So perhaps it depends on the writer. Some writers will choose to include these issues of the time, while others won’t – and sometimes these issues will work their way in self-consciously. I think it doesn’t matter – so long as the issues aren’t shoved down my throat. 

Week Three: Not my best work, but still...

With uni over for good, I found myself walking to the train station instead of the bus stop.

One ticket to Gatwick.

I pulled along the heavy suitcase which I’d brought with me in advance. As I sat myself in an empty seat on the train I called up a travel agent to arrange my last minute room. I go to the loo so I can give my credit card details without anyone listening.

He says the next flight is in three hours and there’s room. I tell him I’ll get my ticket at the airport.

It’s busy, but everyone’s leaving on beach holidays. I get my ticket and hand over my suitcase.

I buy a new water bottle after security, and then I wait. My flight is called, and I board. First class.

I put my headphones in so I don’t have to talk to anybody. My phone is already off to ignore my family inquiring about me; trying to talk me out of my decision.

Nine hours later the plane lands.

After retrieving my suitcase I flag down a taxi. Then off to the hotel. The driver asks too many questions, and I don’t reply. Headphones again.

I arrive, I check in – more questions – I unpack, and then I turn in. I want an early night.

I wake up early the next morning and catch the metro. When I get off, I take in a deep breath with a smile on my face.

Walt Disney World. At last. 

Week Two: Life and Writing

Since I like to write about fantasy and science-fiction, I at first thought that it shouldn't matter where I come from. If the places I write about are far off or non-existent apart from in my head, should it matter? Well, even if I’m not writing about the place directly, it impacts my writing in that the place somehow works its way in.

I used to live in a small town called Emsworth, down on the coast of Hampshire, and now I live in New Alresford, which is further north. Both are small towns, rather quiet and out of the way, and in my writing I tend to set my stories in places like this. Because these are places I know, and I can connect with them.

In the same way, what I read also has similar effects. I mostly read adventure stories, be they fantasy or science-fiction, or just an adventure which fits into neither category. And most of these stories include animals either as secondary characters or as the main protagonists. Reading such works impacts my writing because I find myself writing about similar subjects; adventures which take the reader into new worlds, be they in a fantasy land or a futuristic world.

What happens in an author’s life impacts on what they write about; Emily Dickinson and John Cheever are examples of this. When an author writes something, part of their life is written into the work. It may be a small, insignificant detail, but that could make all the difference. 

Week One: Negotiating with the Dead

I first decided to have my try at writing one lonely day when I was searching the internet and came across the FanFiction site.

Before then, the creative part of me always jumped on any opportunity to express itself, be it through art or writing or building things. But it was when I started reading other stories and thought ‘I could do that’ did I realize that writing was the way to go.

It wasn't long before I realized that I couldn't just write any old crap. A flame made me realize that I needed to work on my writing, like keeping the character’s personalities consistent, creating a believable plot and so on. Even though I loved the stories I was writing – they were mine and mine alone – I realized that I wanted other people to like them, too. So I analysed other people’s work, looked up writing websites and books, and began to get the picture. 

As I wrote, I found myself writing about specific things; interesting as it is, I found myself drawing away from looking at episteme, as that requires research and a lot of knowledge about the time period in question. And I’m a lazy person. But I like to challenge different ideologies of today, like trend setting and morally questionable things, and I also like to look at the collective unconscious; in other words, our natural reactions to things.

For me, writing is my collective unconscious, because if I hadn't discovered it, I don’t know where I’d be in life.