This is the first experience I can remember of being really impacted by a short story. I read it in high-school, at 15 or 16 years old, and have remembered it ever since. The story tells of a man about to be executed by hanging, from the aforementioned bridge. When he is pushed off, however, …
Immortality
I wonder if Shakespeare ever suspected his writings would be the subject of entire classes, hundreds of years later. Did Van Gogh ever imagine even in his most optimistic dreams that replicas of his works would be hanging in dorm rooms across the world in the 21st century? I doubt it. They are still influencing …
Editors are good, you should get one!
When writing, I know I will always get too close to the work and be unable to see it with clear eyes. This can lead to either hating something good, or being enamored with something sub-par. Second opinions are a must, but you have to be sure that opinion is coming from someone who knows …
A good villain is a personal villain
Villains are problematic not only in that they are usually the more proactive character, while the hero is reactive, but also because they are often doing the more interesting stuff, moving the story forward. I have many times found myself sympathizing with the villain just because I want to see what happens when they complete their …
Remembering old inspiration
Reading through these stories I wrote years ago, I remember the ideas I had, the inspirations that drove me, and the satisfaction of completing the work. Even just remembering it is some motivation to do it again! No one really likes writing. Having written, though, is where it's at. So keep plowing forward, once you …
Jonas David 