Why do i like writing fiction?

I was asked earlier why I like to write fiction and my answer was simply why not? I mean is there any reason out there not to enjoy writing fiction?

The thought of taking a story and making it your own, with whatever twists and turns you can come up with and never worrying that you are doing something wrong because the fact is that fiction isn’t fact, it blows my mind. If I was to write in any other genre I would most definatly stumble over legalities, what is correct and what isn’t etc. but with fiction the possibilities are endless!

I mean think about it, why can’t we have a book that starts with a romance story, then leads to introduce a vampire friend before zombies attack and it ends with a nuclear bomb destroying an alien invasion. Action packed yes although probably slightly confusing. But still possible!

I have a habit of spelling things incorrectly or saying the most stupid ideas that come to my head, do you know what that is called? Excitement. My fingers fly over the keyboard as I try to get all of the ideas out of my head and on file before they are gone forever and yes 70% of the time I will read through it later and think “What the ……” but the point is I am excited about fiction. Romance, mythological, historical, mystical, magical, adultery whatever you want to write about is possible with fiction.

My passion is to write and I write with passion. 🙂

Overcomplicated Simplicity – My article for AHA Authors Helping Authors.

Overcomplicated simplicity.

 

My last article was based on writers block and I suppose this one sort of hovers around the same topic. You see as a writer for the last lord knows how many years it has been extremely frustrating that I could not write my book. The ideas were in my head so why were they not coming out on the paper? I would have sticky notes covering the wall above my computer filled with all kinds of notes and words I found inspiring yet every time I opened my word document and tried to write the first sentence I was immediately stuck.

Dean turned to Dillan about to ask a very important question.

A simple sentence yet in my mind other questions where spiralling. “Do I need to introduce Dillan earlier? Should I explain more about his background? What if I need some background history on him later? Should I write that now? Yes I should. So where would I like this character to have grown up? A small village or a big town? Which country? Should I make him exotic? What colour eyes and hair should he have? What personality and build should he have? Maybe I should start with Dean and go from there? So where would I like Dean to have grown up? And what could have happened in his life to make him what he is today? Should I add another character to that? They could show up later out of the blue and save him? Or try to destroy him? What if the readers don’t think this question is as important as the next question. Should I move that sentence down and use it later? But then what sentence do I use here?” these questions were circling my mind constantly until I just gave in assuming it was because I had no idea what I was doing.

One day I opened a word document, and I wrote a short story. Reminding myself that if something doesn’t sound correct or make sense it doesn’t matter, it’s only a rough draft. There is always time to go over and fix the problems when you are done but if you try to do it as you go you will get stumped. The other thing to remember is that nothing will get published until you are happy with it, so relax and just have fun with it. Stop beginning a story imagining the book you want at the the end of it or you will completely forget what you are trying to say. Another thing I myself am guilty of. See my first book Awake Again is based on legend and myths from vampires to mermaids and includes awareness of my daughters rare disability, it is my way of raising awareness in a fun way instead of leaflets with statistics and facts which let’s face it just aren’t interesting. But once I started writing it seriously I started to forget that the aim was to make this disability more known about and support easier to find and began aiming on making it exciting for the reader, it grew into an exciting romance story between a vampire and a demon that began with a horrific rape scene of a prostitute and it was only after a publisher friend had read it and asked me one simple question that I realised what I had done wrong.

“That first chapter is amazing.” He had said. “You managed to make a violent rape scene inviting and enjoyable to read and I couldn’t put it down.” Obviously these words had me beaming from ear to ear. But then he continued. “But I am confused, you said you wanted this book to help raise awareness of a rare condition so other parents with children born with the same condition could feel more relaxed. How did you feel after Jessica’s diagnosis? How do you think reading a violent rape scene of a prostitute would have helped you to relax?”

I was speechless that I had made such a horrific error in judgement. I remembered the main goal was the book being for disability awareness, but I forgot that the readers I wanted would be affected by a disability. See what I am trying to say? Again I focused on the book I wanted at the end and forgot what it was I wanted to say.

My point is that wether you are trying to write a book, a short story, an essay for school or even an article for a website you must try to forget about what it is you want at the end and always remember what you want to say and that the keyboard has a delete button you can use at any time. There are no limits with writing so we do make it so difficult for ourselves? 

Story writing

Do you enjoy story writing? I sure do, theres nothing better than thinking of a story never before heard. How do you find inspiration? Where do you start? How do you research what you want to write about? Well… I say start with google for your research and just have fun with the rest!
I chose to write about vampires as i have always had a fascination with the legend. I chose to take my own personal preferences from reading other books and make the story my own. I changed everything that i had ever read in a fictional piece and couldnt help thinking how unrealistic it is. Hence my more realistic unreal spin on things 😉
I have also included legends, religion, disabilities and even bullying! Finding ways to tie it all together was fun for me.
Why don’t you try reading some of the stories of the bible, and reading up on some legends too. Then find some kind of way to connect them.
But remember, just have fun with it. You can make changes later!

Have fun with your pens and notepads too, those are tools NOT to be forgotten wether you are going for a meal or walk on the beach.