Friday, October 29, 2010

inspired

I never knew exactly when I would know that writing was my only way out of the monotony of life. I just always thought, if I ever found there was nothing I could do...all else failed, well then I would sit and write the great American novel and be back in the world. Get a job, just writing. It was my essential fall back plan. Yup-no formal training or "by lines" to speak of, but if it all fell down I would toss in the chips and just make it as an author. That was plan B.

The problem is, plan A was never quite figured out. The bigger irony in all of this is that many would say that I am a planner. That my life has been well scripted and I am just fulfilling roles that I wrote long ago...I know this is not an original thought as I heard it in a movie once-but regardless, I am just living the screenplay I drafted college. That is what some may think. However, I am not. It may sound like it if I get into telling the story, but my history is not to be told in chronological order. No sir, it is for chapters, and cutouts and missing scenes. I am no this, then, that type of cat. But I digress.

Writing was or maybe is to be my ticket. Major hurdle in writing though is what are you even going to write about? I mean, it is easy to want to say something but realize that upon making the statement the world will view you differently. I have discussed that concept before, so no need to revisit but if you want to really get your message across to the masses...write it yourself. The world will hear you...or at least they will give you a multitude of opinions on what they heard.

But back to the great American novel...how does one begin? Did Henry David Thoreau know that Walden would be heralded as one of the great American novels? No-he just went to the woods and wrote...most probably thought he was weird but he just needed to think and be away from it all. Now his thoughts are treasured, by millions. In other words, there is no formula, you just let go and release the story that has survived within you for as long as you know. If people can relate, then you are on you way. Books transcend time because times change, but people do not. There are only so many human emotions and they do not mutate over time...humans are humans. Therefore, if you touch them in this day in age, you will touch them in the future and beyond.

So I have been inspired to write again...like every few months, and prayerfully I provide something worth reading. If not now, perhaps later. For someone. Regardless, it is a beginning to a story already begun.

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