Many times I have been asked: How do you come up with this stuff? (or) Does this just come out of your head? Both good questions. I will strive to answer.
Years ago, and I might say for the biggest part of my life, I had a fascination with how the written word could transport an individual into the world that was being described in the book, or written material. Down through the years I read countless works from great authors that have made their way to the top of the "author world," so to speak, by their God given talent of being able to capture the imagination of the reader and hold the interest of said individuals to the end of the book. These authors have succeeded by honing that ability and creating a "I must have more from this author" type need in their fans. After years of reading various works in the genres that I myself became infatuated with, I began to realize I myself had a story inside that many others may enjoy. I began to entertain the dream of writing a book and carried that dream with me without any attempt at putting pen to paper. I had mentioned this to a friend of mine many times throughout our lives and had always mentioned that I didn't do it because I didn't know how.
Finally after we had both reached our early 50's, the subject was brought up again in a casual conversation and he turned to me with this advice. "So just sit down and start writing! Get a pencil and a pad and just start writing and see where it goes from there!"
"Duh!"
He was right; that's all it took. After listening to his simple advice I soon took the time to sit down with pen and paper and "The Clashes of Tarn" was born. You will note that I said: (pen and paper.) Yes. The first copy of that book was written painstakingly by hand. Fifty some thousand words, give or take a few.
I was so proud. I had actually created characters that I had imagined and brought them to life in a story that was actually entertaining, and it kept the readers of it interested enough to finish and give an account of my masterpiece.
Of the few that read the work I heard comments like: Very Good, and I loved it, Good job, Get this published. But also from each individual I heard: "This book reminds me of you." Believe it or not that is not what I wanted to hear. I actually didn't want the piece to reflect my life at that time,but in reality as I read it through at a later date and the same thing was pointed out to me again, I saw that it was exactly what it was, a reflection of my messed up life at that time. So with great regret and a tear in my eye, I watched as "The Clashes of Tarn" vanished in the flames of the wood burning stove of my home.
My wife tells me that I am my worst critic. Maybe. After a year of moping around and continuing to question my actions, my life took a new turn for the better. (Long story in itself.) At any rate, I was given the opportunity to once again take the time to recreate "The Clashes of Tarn" in a totally different way and I am pleased with the outcome. (Even though I did borrow some of my own traits for some of the characters) It has graced the shelves of Amazon for more than a year now and has gained some fairly nice reviews I might add. It has a few that kind off tweeked my feelings, but that, I am learning, is all a part of being an author. Wow! (Being an author). I can actually say that and it be an actuality. Have I reached the point where I can be compared to those who have reached the top positions in the author world? Not yet. But hey, part of the fun of being an author is the dream.
Oh and by the way, I just earlier this year released at Amazon, my second novel: "Gods of the Nubi" and am enjoying watching it be tried and considered by readers from all over the planet.
My only hope is that those who read my books will be as fascinated as I was growing up reading exciting works from various authors, and in my works find a message that helps them have and strive for a greater life here on this Earth.
As far as where it all comes from, I do believe that I am what they call a ( Seat Of The Pants) author. Meaning, it all just comes to me when I sit down and start writing. I believe that God inspires some, those who will, myself included and many others, to write certain stories that in someway may help a select group of readers in their search for truth in this fallen world.
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