What makes a writer? What do you envision when you think about that question? Someone sitting by an open window looking out over the ocean, desert, mountains? Rainy day, foggy, sunny? My definition of a writer of fiction. A person who drives himself or herself to the edge of insanity when writing a story to the best of their ability that you the reader find entertaining.
I can honestly say my life has been interesting, far from boring. Land baron, restaurateur, photographer, artisan, author. A life full of ups and downs. A life full of stories. Along the way, I've met hundreds of people, some interesting, some not. Some dangerous, some beautiful, some kind, and some cruel. During my lifetime I've even had my heart run over a couple of times, but when all of it is said and done I wouldn't trade it in.
Writing has always been inside of me, but the siren never called to me. I wasn't ready until one day in October of 2015 when life said, "Start writing."
Storytelling is the heart and soul of a writer. The ideas for most of my stories begin with the question, "what if," and grow from there. I know that sounds a bit arrogant, I'm sorry if it does, but really my book "Remain Alive," began with "what if there were only 150 humans alive on the planet," From there it grew to a Sci-fi thriller. If the question continues to expand with several possibilities then a story is born.
My inspiration to write comes from wasting too much of my life not writing. Now every day I write, and if I go two days without, then pity the person in the same room with me.
For me, the best thing about being a writer is the unanswered question, “where will my imagination take me.” The one thing no one can take away from me or any other writer. It belongs to us. To be cultivated, harvested, to share with the world.
My advice to aspiring writers is, "You are not perfect, do not fool yourself. However, with hard work, dedication, commitment, more hard work, and the belief in yourself, you can be a great writer!"
Don't be afraid, don't listen to those voices of doubt in your head. Read, read, read, then write, write, read, and write. If it's not working that does not mean you are not a writer, it means you're not ready just yet. Be patient with yourself.
"Layers of Deceit," May 2018 will also be available as an audiobook. My first.
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