Blog #8: Writing Inspirations

 I’ve always loved hearing about what inspires people. Be it photography, art, writing, or making videos. What draws people to create, where do their ideas come from?

     The first part of my inspiration comes from reading as a child. I would say the book series that had the biggest impact on me as a child was Harry Potter. It was the first major book series I had read, and it sucked me in. I started reading book 1 in Third Grade. I would honestly say Harry Potter saved a part of me. I would read on the bus to the Boys and Girls club after school, and at home. I could sit in my room, door shut and get lost in a world that was so magical and had amazing adventures. Harry came from an abusive home, just like I did. I could understand when he didn’t want to go home for the summer, because I felt that way everyday returning home from school. And the great thing about escaping into Harry Potter, was every summer give or take, the next book would come out. I was growing up with the series, which went from a silly kids book to a darker story more for teens. If I had been unable to lose myself in Harry Potter, I don’t think I could have survived those years living with my mom and her boyfriends. So my inspiration comes from Harry Potter, and wanting to write books that people get lost in. I have yet to write a book series, or create magical lands and fantasies, but I do try to write stories people can relate to and feel seen and heard. 

     Next, some of my inspiration comes from reading and writing fan fiction. I used to write fan fiction of my favorite characters, and it felt so fun to come up with scenarios, and write these short stories. When I was around 18 I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. I loved writing fan fiction and thought to myself, what if I wrote my own stories with my own characters? I knew I couldn’t go to college and get a degree in writing, but for my electives I took different creative writing classes. It was mostly the same teacher that taught these classes, and the same group of students. He introduced me to David Foster Wallace, whose writing and famous speech: “This Is Water” ignited a love in me for writing, and even though I wasn’t getting a Liberal Arts Degree, his speech just replenished my love for writing.  I started writing short stories, but never did anything with them. In fact, it wouldn’t be until November of 2020 that I’d do anything with any of my writing.

     Overall, you could say my inspiration to write comes from being lost in books, and being able to express myself in words. I’ve always admired Authors, or people that are able to just write and write. I’ve always wanted to BE an author. And I’m glad I started writing again in 2020 so I can work towards my goal.

     What is your inspiration for any art you do? I’d love to hear all about it!

     “But I’m going to posit to you that the liberal arts cliché turns out not to be insulting at all, because the really significant education in thinking that we’re supposed to get in a place like this isn’t really about the capacity to think, but rather about the choice of what to think about”-David Foster Wallace, “This Is Water”.

Below I’ll list a couple fantasy books I love and got lost in as a teen, and inspired me to want to write. Even though I don’t personally write in the genre Fantasy, these books are still important to me and my journey!

     Books I Recommend:

1. Harry Potter- J.K. Rowling
2. Dresden Files- Jim Butcher
3. Eragon- Christopher Paolini
4. Chronicles of the Necromancer- Gail Martin

     This Is Water Speech