It’s often a question I ask myself. Sometimes even asked by others. This post is about that question, why spend so much of my time writing? I should be playing games, watching TV, going for hikes, all those fun things! Well, I do those things and more, but…
Seriously, why write?
To be honest, I don’t know. I’ve always had a drive to create something in the back of my head. From a kid dreaming up little Lego worlds, creating societies that functioned (well, how I imagined societies functioned), every Lego person having a name, a background, and a being, to writing comics with my friends throughout grade school. For a while I shifted away from stories, for a long while actually. I moved into poetry and music. I dabbled in trying to write a comic and even a movie script, though those both petered out. The comic because without the artistic capabilities I found myself struggling to find motivation and the movie script because it sucked (seriously, it was awful).
I just need to be creating something. I can’t draw, I’m an alright musician (if curious you can check out old recordings here), I tried knitting but my hands are too awkward and I don’t think I’d ever be able to get passed following other people’s patterns. Writing is just where I feel comfortable. I feel at home. Like taking my daydreams and putting it on paper.
So why a Fantasy Novel?
Over the last few years, I slowly started creating something I called “My World”, it was the background lore, history, and logistics of what is now my project, “Book of Yaudi”. During the lull in Covid I even worked on putting together the means to play a tabletop RPG in my world using the FATE RPG System, though when Covid picked back up that fell apart (we tried Roll20, I just don’t like playing online). I spent a long time just creating this world where I wanted things to exist.
I had done a bit of outlining of a story, originally to have a better set piece for the game I was putting together for my friends and I. But, eventually I was wanting to expand that. Being a teacher, I wanted to aim my writing for my grades, 7 and 8. I considered aiming a bit older, with Young Adult, and the novel leans a bit into those areas, but I wanted to keep it open to all ages. If I were to choose my inspirations, well, Tolkien, Ursula K Le Guin, and Ghibli films (especially Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind). I want my novel (and hopefully future novels) to be available to anyone, just like I believe my inspirations have masterfully done.
What are your goals?
Well, eventually complete my first draft of the novel. I aim to have the complete in the next two weeks. Then edit, then edit, then edit, then edit.
But, while getting all that done, I’d really love to build a community. I’m slowly getting into the whole Social Media game, so I feel behind, but I’m working at it. I want to make a better map (you can check out the rough map I made in a previous blog post), get a great book cover made, and just truly build this novel into something amazing!
I’d love to find myself a good publisher, but I am not opposed to self-publishing if it gets my book into the hands of people everywhere. From that point, I start the next novel, which will be based in the same world and share many similar faces.
For those hopeful writers, who just can’t get passed a hurdle. I believe in you. But, perhaps try a different angle. A different genre. A different viewpoint. Sometimes we surprise ourselves with what we can do.
SMVLTrudeau
SMVLTRUDEAU 
3 responses to “Why Write?”
Why write is indeed the million dollar question. Like you, i guess its always been at the back of my head. I’ve always wanted to even as a child but never got around to do it until now. The feeling of the story and plot flowing from your mind as you type of a keyboard is really indescribable.
As a creative myself, I can’t not create. write, draw, play with play dough whatever, its a compulsion. It looks like you have a solid foundation and world building. I find it an interesting approach to being transparent with your work by posting the chapters as they go. It would be a little hard to do with my writing style, since I don’t always write things in order, I could be writing chapter 3 and 7 at the same time. I like the idea, on my second book now, I would be afraid to spoil things for readers that haven’t read the first book. Has the feedback changed the course of the story at all?
Thank you for your comments.
I’ll be honest. I haven’t got much feedback, the minor things so far that people mentioned tend to be things I had considered already. Though a friend that is reading gave me good insight on a few parts that were confusing.
I chose this method as a way to slowly build a bit of community. But, that requires people actively reading! I definitely wouldn’t do it for the second novel, as you said, I wouldn’t want to spoil anything.
For now I’m happy with the few views I get, and generally just hope people are enjoying it.