Mitchell Stokely
Have a passion for what you write about.....that it!
People often talk about how to sell books or write stories, etc etc. None of that really matters. What matters is that you write because you have a passion, not for writing, but for the things you write about. Even if you are the type of writer who goes in without caring what the story will be and likes to dig it out of you, you still have a love or desire for that something.....the detective story, the crime, the horror, the love story, the drama. Without that deep deep love and passion for what you write about, writing is a chore or a business for you. And that's just a curse, if you ask me.
I started writing the Phantammeron with zero background in English, reading, writing, or anything. I still cannot type well! And I am a terrible reader....though at times I read everything I can get my hands on in terms of certain types of books. I just love mythology, for example. And the concept of myth-making or creating my own worlds filled with magical creatures, stories, fairy tales, and mythology drives me on. Its so rich and unlimited as a writing topic, its just going to keep me writing forever! Thats why its not reading that matters, its reading what you love that is most important. Because its your life and you have a right to fill your head with what you love.
The Silmarillion (1977) by Christopher Tolkien helped me to see what was possible in fiction beyond modern fantasy fiction. Once I saw that books didnt have to be character arcs and cliffhangers and all, I just exploded with enthusiasm! I could write MY kind of book. I could create my own vast mythology and world(s) without any hesitation. And I didn't even care if anyone read the darn thing! So let yourself discover books that drive your own passions.
That is why, if you are a new writer, you MUST find a passion and write about it. You dont even have to be a good writer or even study the "craft" of writing. I dont believe in any of that. You just have to want to express the passion and the love for the subject matter. That's all. Forget all other advice, Its useless! If you are writing vampire romance, or zombie horror, or assassins ask yourself, with all the book out there in those genres, why would you write your own? Nothing wrong with it but is that your TRUE passion? if you dig deep you might find you follow the sheep because you want to be a member of a select group of writers. Thats not a good reason to write those books. It might be deep down you dont care about vampires and zombies after all, and something in your childhood, or adulthood, some trama, or some joy is your real passion. I challenge all writers to dig a little deeper and find what that is. Even if its a feeling, thats all you need. Write about it and forget the modern tropes!
People often talk about how to sell books or write stories, etc etc. None of that really matters. What matters is that you write because you have a passion, not for writing, but for the things you write about. Even if you are the type of writer who goes in without caring what the story will be and likes to dig it out of you, you still have a love or desire for that something.....the detective story, the crime, the horror, the love story, the drama. Without that deep deep love and passion for what you write about, writing is a chore or a business for you. And that's just a curse, if you ask me.
I started writing the Phantammeron with zero background in English, reading, writing, or anything. I still cannot type well! And I am a terrible reader....though at times I read everything I can get my hands on in terms of certain types of books. I just love mythology, for example. And the concept of myth-making or creating my own worlds filled with magical creatures, stories, fairy tales, and mythology drives me on. Its so rich and unlimited as a writing topic, its just going to keep me writing forever! Thats why its not reading that matters, its reading what you love that is most important. Because its your life and you have a right to fill your head with what you love.
The Silmarillion (1977) by Christopher Tolkien helped me to see what was possible in fiction beyond modern fantasy fiction. Once I saw that books didnt have to be character arcs and cliffhangers and all, I just exploded with enthusiasm! I could write MY kind of book. I could create my own vast mythology and world(s) without any hesitation. And I didn't even care if anyone read the darn thing! So let yourself discover books that drive your own passions.
That is why, if you are a new writer, you MUST find a passion and write about it. You dont even have to be a good writer or even study the "craft" of writing. I dont believe in any of that. You just have to want to express the passion and the love for the subject matter. That's all. Forget all other advice, Its useless! If you are writing vampire romance, or zombie horror, or assassins ask yourself, with all the book out there in those genres, why would you write your own? Nothing wrong with it but is that your TRUE passion? if you dig deep you might find you follow the sheep because you want to be a member of a select group of writers. Thats not a good reason to write those books. It might be deep down you dont care about vampires and zombies after all, and something in your childhood, or adulthood, some trama, or some joy is your real passion. I challenge all writers to dig a little deeper and find what that is. Even if its a feeling, thats all you need. Write about it and forget the modern tropes!
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