16 Feb What’s Your Story

I had anticipated finishing blog #2 by now, but I have devoted the last few weeks still struggling to navigate the world of social media and advertising. I won’t go into the gory details, but it wasn’t pleasant—Internet universe verse Spencer. While I feel slightly triumphant, it will not be the last of my internet battles, so I revel in my small win to build strength and regain composure for next time. Short rant over.

Three questions I have been receiving the most are, why a book, where do you get your ideas, and do people still read? (Insert sigh)

Question 1: Writing is passion. It’s a comfy place for me to hang out, which just my thoughts. But writing a book is more about the craft of storytelling. You can be a great writer but not have one creative thought in your body. And that’s ok. For some of us, though, we have this entire world, many worlds actually living deep within. Putting it on paper is not only cathartic but necessary for survival. And truthfully, humans have been telling stories since the beginning of time. We escape into worlds that captivate our imaginations. We gravitate towards stories that resonate with our souls, and we rely on writers to pull us in. I escape when I create. I need the stories as much as the readers searching for them.

Question #2: Where do you get ideas? I am an introvert who has learned to exist in a highly extroverted world. I love being this way. Sure, I need my downtime after large gatherings, aka fetal position in a corner alone. And I struggle to carry on with conversations regarding topics I couldn’t care less about. But it also has its perks! Being an introvert means I generally lay back, watch, analyze, think, and…..that’s where the fun usually begins. For the last 15 years, my full-time day job has had me on the road often (prior to Covid), which provided a lot of windshield time, as we like to say in our industry. I am grateful for the long hours on the road. It’s where I then fine-tune my characters, their adventures, and the outcomes. And yes, if you happened to drive by me on one of those routes, you were likely to see me talking to myself. The great news, self-talk has its mental health benefits and is also safe while driving. Win, Win.

So long answer to why a book? Well, I like to think I am a creative individual, but I can’t sing or draw or paint. I can dream up the most breathtaking fantasy worlds, though. The colors, the backdrop, my characters, and the plotlines are so vivid in my head that the best path to share is through my passion, writing.

Question #3: Grrr. Punch to the gut. But one simple short answer.

Yes, people still read.  Go curl up with a book.