So, You started a blog . . . Now What?

Interestingly enough, this was exactly the question running through my mind as I built this webpage. While writing about my wife on the, "About the Author" section I began to realize how every little interaction, even the seemingly obscure relationship my dogs share with the neighborhood squirrels, affects my mood and eventually my writing. So much of a writer is blended into what is supposed to be fictional work, which is often written in a completely different person's point of view. There are so many stories I can recall which have directly influenced my writing.

Back in the fall, a good friend of mine suggested I try an India Pale Ale at the local Ale House. At first, I dismissed the suggestion, "Nah, I don't like IPAs. Too bitter." But my friend was persistent and assured me I'd like the brew. Without too much effort on his behalf, I gave into the peer pressure and tried a Troeg's Nugget Nectar. Authors are famous for hyperbole, but I assure you I'm not exaggerating when I say that beer changed my life. Immediately afterwards, I made frequent visits to the Ale House trying a variety of beers. Always searching for something different, my regular visits became a bit of a passion - each beer tasted more complex than the last as my taste buds learned to search for the delicate hints of spices, hops, and roast levels.

My frequent trips for the newest brew on tap eventually infiltrated my writing. Introduced to a real craft beer for the first time, the main character in my novel, Platform 21, describes the experience:

Taking
the frosted tankard from off the bar, I judged the toffee colored brew. Its
smoky aroma caught my senses by surprise. This beer wasn't like the ones I've
tried before. Beer tasting could hardly be considered a hobby of mine, and truthfully
the substance never impressed me much. But after sipping through the frothy
crown of that full bodied beer, my opinions quickly changed. The layered
flavors of coffee and vanilla triggered a relaxed sensation which eased the
tightness in my chest. As the molasses-like flavor washed to the back of my
throat, its texture and taste changed ever so slightly. A light earthy flavor
elegantly surfaced, revealing the subtle, yet aromatic taste of cloves. A fresh
floral flavor lingered in my mouth after swallowing.

This simple exchange between two friends at a bar heavily influenced the way I write. It created an entirely new experience for my characters, and this was simply the beginning. Picking up on the peculiar tastes and scents around me, I developed a desire to describe them. Everything from the stink of a Cuban cigar to the luscious mouth feel of a sweet Moscato wine.

Writing isn't just a hobby, it's a passion. Everything I experience has the potential to create change in my words, my style, and my characters; which brings me back to my original question. Why start a blog? The answer is simple. These modest interactions and life experiences become a part of who I am, and what I write. This alone is worth sharing, because maybe the person who reads this blog could be affected the same way. This is, after all, why I write. I write so others may see the world through a different perspective.