The Main Character

It’s not often I go back and reread old stories I’ve written and forgotten about. This is a rare moment I get to reflect on what has come and what’s still to come. I care about putting my work out into the world, then move on to the next idea and keep pushing my work out for others to enjoy. My writing is for others more than me, especially once it is released. With all my old stuff, I am reminded of my favourite lines I’ve put to paper and the half-finished concepts I haven’t revisited. I get to see the versatility of my work across different genres and I get to let myself be proud of what I’ve achieved. 

My memories and associations for story inspiration are tied to my writing. They reflect elements of my life experience, or a song that stuck with me for some reason, or some emotion I was feeling at the time. My work mirrors much of reality, without bleeding too close to the truth. They are fictional versions of what I experience. Writing advice everyone has heard at some point – “write what you know”. 

The backlog of my previous scribbles can transport me back to a specific moment in time: who inspired the creation of these characters, where I was when I wrote it, and my changing beliefs as a human being. I am not the same writer as when I started this journey years ago. Spoiler, I used to be the two-finger typer (I still am really), but I can move my fingers faster with more eloquence as I grow into my writing skills. 

As a writer, I take for granted what paths my old notes can pave for my future writing inspiration. I am so fortunate to have documented my work and my process from ‘start to finish’. No, no I don’t want to call it a ‘finish’, as I continue to write. I prefer to call my process a ‘start to present’. 

I wish that my writing has no finish, and the stories I tell can have a timeless effect to them. I hope to see the next generation of writers be inspired by my stuff and continue my work. 

Storytelling is such a rich form of art. Writing, to me, seems to be more precious as the world evolves. Words convey weight and meaning that visual and auditory forms cannot make sense of. Yes, they are all important storytelling devices, but words are the backbone of everything. 

I am blessed that this is my job and I can play a part in the larger world of creativity.