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 