This One's For You

The beginning of most things is a pretty amazing feeling.  The start of a new job, moving to a new city, a fresh and exciting relationship, or an amazing blueprint on the wild and crazy plans you have for your life.  If you have read my first post, 'Finding Myself' you will know that I have always had a love affair with writing.  Picking up my diary to write stories was my favorite thing to escape into, and I really thought I was doing the most with that little lock on the front that never worked!  Either way, it was mine to create in and dream up whatever I wanted.  No matter how you begin, you can tell the moment that you do, it will most likely be something kinda dope.  So you do it, with a little fear and an enormous amount of doubt, but there is this driving force that pushes you to see that 'thing' through.  In the end, you are happy you did, trust me.
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The imagination of a writer is like none I have ever seen.  The ability to take a thought and turn it into a page turning, suspense filled, tear jerking, eye rolling, gut laughing read is nothing short of magic.  How'd they do that, you wonder.   I know I have read something great when I get sad that I am near the end.  What happens next?  Will there be a sequel?  Why does it have to end this way?  They are turning this into a movie, right?!  The escape into a character is a deep and intense feeling that can often be described as exhilarating.  Naturally you want this feeling to last, and so the search begins for the next great book that will leave you feeling exactly the same.  

As a writer you have endless thoughts that come out of nowhere.  Keeping a pen and notepad nearby to jot down your ideas is essential, because once that thought is gone, forget about it!  The reason for this is due to the fact your mind on most days is all over the place.  I've had conversations with so many writers and I think it's a given that we all want the same things.  To publish great work!  Yes, a writer wants others to feel inspired by their stories, to know that someone smiled when they read what you have written, and to simply love your style and flow.  Most importantly, a true writer wants to be happy with themselves and proud of what they have accomplished. 

My inspiration comes from day to day life.  Conversations with family & friends, walking to the mailbox, stopping by the local market, running from a bee, you name it, and I am instantly thinking, "should I write about that?"  I started to realize you are what you inspire, so I embarked upon this journey of acknowledging my own self awareness into who I really was and what I desperately needed to do in order to get into my safe writing zone.  I find myself going over and over my words to ensure I am not repeating, not being confusing with my story and that it all makes sense.  When I start a draft, I need silence, the phone is on do not disturb, the television is off, and Max is typically nearby being my all time favorite muse, or licking himself into oblivion.  More importantly, I surround myself with those who lift me and embrace the changes along the way.  That is what makes me feel safe and ready to crank out my own version of greatness.

For all the deadlines, late night edits, countless cups of coffee, re-written thoughts, unpublished drafts and thousands of ideas twirling in a writers mind at once, the feeling will always and forever be reminiscent to that first kiss each and every time you post a new story.  You go back and read your work over and over again and say to yourself, "I really love that and I hope they do too."  The world is ever-changing, the one thing I can control is what I write, so that is what I shall do.  I started on my book, I have a draft with zero words, but one day I will.  It's not a race against time, it's my dream, on my terms, when I am ready.   I am certain the universe that I love so deeply will surely wait for me.  By all means, please stay tuned.

I have learned so much over the past year and a half.  My writing style has changed some, but it will always and forever be authentic and me.  For every writer, whether you are just beginning or a New York Times bestseller, you have paved the way and inspired me to keep going and continue to do what I love.   Isn't that something?!  Yeah, it really is.  This one's for you!

~AJ