Labotomy of a Writer

Welcome to the second post for the Fantastic Friday Writers group. This week we are talking about what inspires our fantasy/sci-fi minds to write. For my take on this topic, I'll be talking about why I decided to write fantasy specifically.

I began writing as soon as I could hold a pencil. I wrote those little stories about the apple tree on the school grounds or about how awesome my parents were. As an older child and a teen, I got deep into poetry. It helped to ease the angst of those troublesome years.

It wasn't until I was an adult that I really got into novel writing. I had always wanted to write stories and full length novels, but I never really applied myself to it.

The first novel I ever wrote was a mystery/romance. It is salvagable but at the moment, horribly written. I don't think at the age of 16 I was ready or knowledgable enough to write a romance, much less a mystery. So, it's collecting dust at the moment and I might return to it someday.

Writing fantasy, just sort of happened for me. I didn't really make a concious decision about it. I just started writing and tada - fantasy novel. And it just stuck with me. I love building new worlds and cultures and races. I think it appeals to the side of me that never really grew up. The side that still believes in faeries and dragons and elves and all those sorts of things.

So, I guess what inspires me to write fantasy is my inner child. The part that still believes in real magic (not the stuff magicians do on stage, but REAL magic). I just love it! Crafting brand new worlds and all the things that go into just makes me happy.

Writing fantasy is also an escape for me in a way. I can leave behind the stress of my life and enter into a whole other world. While I do want to write other genres like mystery or urban fantasy, I think right now my true calling is High Fantasy. *shrug* It just appeals to me in all ways and I think I'm pretty good at it. It fits, plain and simple.

Sorry this isn't more indepth or with a shocking revelation about why I write fantasy. I just do. It's me. *shrug*

I think every writer should go with what 'fits' for THEM, not what the industry is demanding at the time. While I can understand the want to follow the trends and write for them because of the drive to be published, I think you're work will reflect that it's not really what you enjoy doing. I love writing High Fantasy and I think that shows in my work. And the readers will see it too. For me, enjoying - and I mean really enjoying - what I write is more important than anything else. Because let's face it, if you aren't enjoying what you're writing, then why are you doing it in the first place?

Don't forget to hop around to the other members of the Fantastic Friday Writers to read why they write fantasy and/or sci-fi!



Tune in on Dec. 3rd when the Fantastic Friday Writers talk about how we connect with our characters on a personal level!