I’ve always wanted to say that. Every writer’s journey starts somewhere, and this is mine. It wasn’t until the summer break before my senior year of high school that I decided to pursue a career in writing. I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller in some way or form. Growing up surrounded by video games and anime, I considered pursuing game design or animation. However, despite my drawing skills being lacking, I knew I had a passion for storytelling. Opening my own studio was a dream I still cherish in my heart and soul, but I had a grounding realization that writing a book is far more achievable than opening the next Disney Studios.
I got my degree, my ideas, my dreams, ready to put ink to paper and make them a reality. And then… I just didn’t. Whether I was exhausted from work, pushing off my big project for something to “practice” on, and you know, life, I found every excuse to simply get started. And for the projects I actually started on, my doubt, anxiety, or just loss of momentum always extinguished the spark. I get in my own way, stuck in a loop of inspiration and paralysis that I might as well be lost driving on a rotary.
So where do I find my exit?
Naturally, writing a novel is still a mountain to climb as a goal. But if days, months, and years will come and go anyway, in ten years I could either have a book or not have a book. I won’t have that book in ten years if I don’t just grit my teeth and write it. My biggest enemy in this is that loss of momentum. How do I keep my motivation, my gas tank full?
Well, I could start a blog! Not that I’ve ever really explored blogs, let alone written one. However, there are a few things I’m hoping to get out of exploring a new writing platform. I’m hoping to hold myself accountable for my writing by putting myself out there with this blog. To attract someone, anyone, interested in my work or progress. I’m hoping to receive encouragement when I slow down, to have someone keep an eye on me and hold me accountable. I’m hoping to have some company on this journey of becoming an author.
So what will this blog be about? Naturally, a big piece of it will be about my writing. My inspirations, books that have helped push me forward, the progress that I am making towards my goal of having a book with my name on the spine. But this is the story of my whole journey, the beautiful scenic routes as well as the dark and ugly parts I’m going through. I’ve been battered with many challenges in my life, from physical, mental, familial, and so on. I’m sure many of my experiences are close to universal, so if anything from this blog resonates or helps a single person, then of course it’s worth it.
So I hope you’ll tag along on this journey with me, through all the ups and downs. I hope it reaches fellow writers that falter when taking the first step, or someone under the deep, dark waters of depression realizes the sunlight is still there on the surface. Maybe it will be profound, or just a cliché. But if you’re still willing to hit the road with me, then hop aboard (and don’t forget to pack snacks)!