Childhood Influences
Since I was little, I was always attracted to stories. To be honest, I didn’t actually enjoy reading until I was 12, so before then, my favorite stories were usually portrayed on television or in the movies. I believe what influences us as blossoming writers somehow transforms how and what we write later in life. For me, I was drawn to anything fantastic.
I was raised on a steady diet of Star Wars and Disney movies. The concept of talking animals, or galactic adventures seemed as real to me as an episode of Boy Meets World. When I wrote my little plot bunnies, they were in the same vein as the tales that tangled me in their world far beyond when I had finished watching.
Besides Star Wars and Disney, there was Hayao Miyazaki 
movies like Princess Mononoke. The television shows Redwall, Looney Tunes and the Muppets were staples. If we rented a film, it had to be scifi or fantasy. I was not a rom com or chickflick girl, I needed something other worldly, something special.
Before I turned 12 I had found a few books to my liking, most based in some sort of magical realism or alternate history kid’s lit. However, nothing grabbed my interest like Harry Potter. That is when my interest in reading changed. It never really occurred to me that the stories I liked to watch were equally as prevalent in books. And from there on out, it was all over. I tried to soak in as many fantasy stories as I could. His Dark Materials, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Redwall books, The Wind in the Willows. You name it, I probably read it.
Shortly after, I began writing my own ideas on paper instead of keeping them locked inside my imagination. What did I write? Fantasy and science-fiction, of course! I drew from my childhood influences for inspiration and sometimes still do. I love rereading or watching one of my favorite stories just to get the creative juices flowing. Without a doubt, those tales shaped the writer I am today.
What stories were influences for you? Were they strictly books or movies too?
Never Fall in Love with a Succubus
My mother always told me, “Never fall in love with a succubus.” Of course, I never listened. Why should I have? They’re the most gorgeous people know to humanity. One look and your eyes burn the memory of their flowing locks, flawless skin, and sparkling eyes into your brain. Forever. It’s not something you can ignore, trust me. Once it’s there, nothing compares. Not the smile of a child, a double rainbow on a summer’s day, or even a sunset over a beach.
The only thing that can amaze you in the same way is to gaze upon another. In my case, the same one. I kept away from their neighborhood by force, not choice. A twenty foot wall will do that. When they’re allowed the one day a week to travel outside of their sanctioned area, they must shroud their faces. That way, no one “normal” is affected. The whispers of what might happen range from insanity to violent fits. That’s all talk if you ask me.
It was a freak accident, really. A dropped bag of groceries, a swift gust of wind and the shroud fluttered right off. I had gone to help. When everyone else shrunk into the doorways of the stores that line the street, I ran to lend a hand. One glance and I was hooked. If there was a way for me to get another peak, I had to take it. No matter how dangerous. I took to our rooftop with a pair of binoculars in hopes I could spy from a distanced. I climbed trees to peer into the block behind the wall. I made sure to be available to help at market the day they came to shop. Simply put, it became an addiction.
No surprise what happened next. On market day, when the succubi flooded the streets, I shrouded myself and returned within the compound when they were ordered back. As soon as my covering was off, everyone would know I was surely not one of them. So, I was careful to keep my wrap held tight. I recognized the shimmering shroud of my love in an instant. The fabric an equally as striking emerald silk. I knew the rejection would be short-lived given my meager looks. But for another fix, another brief look upon a beauty crafted by angels, I would chance it. Standing side-by-side, our shrouds were removed when the call arose throughout the neighborhood by megaphone.
All I wanted was for us to belong to each other. A favorable response was unlikely. Thankfully, I knew I could handle rejection. I could deal with a “No” no matter how kind or harsh. But as our eyes met, something changed. I began to realize my mother had been right. The twisted smiles of hunger stretched far beyond the face of my love. Baring hundreds of sharp, pearly teeth. How had I not seen that before? How had I been blind to the terror behind their masks? With the walls twenty feet high, and the gates locked shut, I was trapped as the succubi descended upon me.
My mother was right. She’s always right. I only wish I had listened.
Overcoming Obstacles
As writers, we are no stranger to the occasional inspiration blockage or difficulty in starting a new scene. There are pitfalls scattered everywhere in writing. Those come from within and are easily curable. The biggest problem you will face is the external obstacles that are created by others. Springing up as if from nowhere, blindsiding you as you turn a corner, these hurdles can send a writer flat on their face and for some, they don’t recover.
Never fear, help is here! To assist you out of the proverbial hole, I have amassed a list of the biggest problems writers face from other people and how you can conquer them!
Unsupportive Family and Friends: Is there a Negative Nancy within your circle? Do they pester and bother you about how your dreams of being published are unrealistic? Tune them out. Without doing a psychological evaluation on why they do this, just ignore unsupportive people. Wade through the muck and locate the people around you who believe in your dream as well.
Beta Reader Doesn’t Like Your Book: After your beta reader finishes your story, you discover they don’t like it. While that’s unfortunate, it’s not the end of the world. You just happened to pick someone who wasn’t right for your story. Remember: there are billions of other readers.
No One Wants to Read Your Book: If you search for a beta reader, or critique partner, anyone to help you with feedback and you can’t locate anyone, it’s time to widen your search. This doesn’t mean that no one will like your book. What it means is that you haven’t found them yet. Take to the web or to school, or work- someone will help.
Computer Virus: These hit at unknown times and I am all too familiar with the panic of “What about my story!?” To protect yourself, get a jump drive and save your work remotely so if something awful befalls your computer, your work is safe.
-In the case of you hardcopy writers, be sure to lock away your notepad or journal in a fire and waterproof location like a safe.
Scathing Review: This is for my indie friends– When you get your story up on the internet for all to see and someone leaves you a nasty, ill hearted review, you have to shake it off. The internet provides a curtain for nasty people to be ten-times worse than they would be in real life. Ignore it and try your best to bounce back.
Multiple Rejections: This is for my queriers– The path to publication is paved with rejections. Every author, from Hemingway to your next door neighbor, has dealt with rejection letters. It’s bound to happen so grow a thick skin and keep on querying until you find the person who loves your story as much as you do!
The sentiment for these issues is generally the same. Keep doing what you love, regardless of the naysayers. Not everyone is going to think your book is as amazing as you do, that’s the beauty of stories- everyone has a different opinion.
These are only a few of the most common incidents you might run into, but each writer’s journey is different. What is the biggest obstacle you had to overcome? How did you do it?
All Knotted Up 2
If you’d like to see the first comic in the series that introduces my boys, click here. This second strip is where you meet the girls. Many thanks to @markedforpower (here’s her blog too!), my wonderful friend, critique partner, and accomplice in comic crime. Enjoy!
Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
Awards
