Hoping to be read

 I've been asked where the ideas I write about come from. 

When I sit down to write, I grab a passing thought and begin. Sometimes, it's a place or a person or a strong feeling. Whatever the reason I have for writing, it's who I am and how I see things. I choke up hearing songs that move me or watching a child with her first bottle of bubbles. I never wipe away a tear but let it dry where it stops. I mourn the loss of a friend or loved one and do so with written silence. Not all writers research. Some just put what lives inside them on paper, hoping to be read. I tell stories that may or may not refer to anyone I know, but seeing a familiar face or a voice I hear in my head will inspire me to create a character around that. 

Looking in the mirror, I see many faces of myself: my inner child, my rebellious teen, and a weathered old man trying to complete sentences. Being able to bring these reflections out of the mirror and create a story around them is my most treasured gift. Writing isn't all about selling books. It's about telling stories that come from deep within you. It's your heart, soul, and understanding of a craft you do not have to make difficult. Writing is personal but also shared. It's a voice only you can hear and hope someone will read.

Mike 2024