Finding that Spark

Fourth of July. A holiday filled with stars and stripes and sunburns. As the unofficial mid-point of summer, we still have that gleam in our eye before we mosey into the canine side of the season.

It’s also a holiday filled with sparks. And while the lights in the sky are sparked by fire the stories that live within us are ignited by something else.

A drive to entertain others through stories. A need to release those voices in our head. Sheer madness.

For some of us, it’s all of the above.

So where do authors find that spark? That drive to sit down at our computers for hours at a time leaving our dogs un-walked and gardens un-weeded?

It’s from our friends (the real ones, the imaginary ones just cause trouble). It’s through friends I’ve made through writing groups, academies, book signings, classes, book clubs and the good old-fashioned interweb.

These people fuel my writing. They are the glue that holds my butt to the seat. They cheer me on when I question my ability, and they call me out if I’m writing lazily. When my Muse plays hide and seek, they step in and fill her place. They laugh with me and wipe away my tears. We brainstorm together and finish each other’s sentence (spoken and written).

Writing is a very lonely profession. It’s just me and the voices in my head. It’s really nice to have friends that can hear them too.

To all my friends, this 4th of July when you watch the fireworks overhead, know that you are my catalyst, my spark. Here’s to all of us shining brightly and making a loud boom.

Cheers!