Happy Monday, fellow writers!
I hope you're starting the week off with inspiration and motivation!
Some of us have been writing for a while, while others of us have just started. Has a film you've seen or a person in your life influenced you to write?
My influence was, and is, my Mom. I remember her words to me after reading a short story I wrote at age eleven about Superman having lunch with President Jimmy Carter. She said..."Don't keep this imagination and creativity to yourself, share it, because people love a good story". Thanks Mom!
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My adopted Grandfather (long story) encouraged me to keep a travel journal on a family trip to New Zealand when I was thirteen. His niece, who was a lifelong friend of mine and lived in Vienna, told me every time she received a letter from me that "You should be writing." Thank you John Mezes for prompting me to think about the people who encouraged me who are no longer here.
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Oooh boy. When I was a kid, Stephen King was definitely the first thing that inspired me to sit down and start writing, for sure.
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Most of my early writing was recording - I would copy down movie quotes or quotes from stuff people around me would say, making sure to warn them, "I'm going to use this one day".
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When I was 11 Iowa Public Television was the first station in the US to import a really odd half hour BBC sci-fi show that was bigger on the inside. Between that and the Twilight Zone I started writing. Almost 50 years later I'm still watching both of them and still writing.
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It was definitely Doctor Who. Growing up in the UK the 70s and the 80s it was everywhere and, even though it terrified me at times, I was a big fan. It wasn't long before I was writing my own stories. These days it would be called fan-fiction, back then it was my way in.
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John, no. No one and no person inspired me to write. Screenwriting is magical and I can't live without it.
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Eugene O'Neill and Annie Proulx. I read Long Day's Journey Into Night in high school and became obsessed with reading everything he wrote. Annie Proulx wrote Brokeback Mountain (the short story) and of course it made and impact, but her other work spoke to me even more. The Shipping News, Accordion Crimes and That Old Ace in the Hole inspired me to create characters that I would want to know and hang out with.
What terrific replies everyone! I learn so much about you, the community, by these posts of mine, and it's great. It brings me closer in knowing the Stage 32 family, thank you. Also, through some of these replies, I've taken a joyful walk down memory lane!
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That brings back memories Cavan Scott! I loved Doctor Who. I also have a Doctor Who script that I wrote when I was doing Theatre Studies at university filed away somewhere... I dreamed of sending it to the producers but never did!
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Cool post John Mezes ! Growing up I didn't see my father very much but, when I did, he took me to the movies. It was the only time I saw him cry. That really affected me, later, when I realized the profound power of cinema.
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My mum and Hemmingway
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Not exactly. The first thing I ever tried writing was a novel inspired by CSI:NY.
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I was crazy for Northern Exposure. - I wrote a spec "A Mad Mad Northern" and sent it to the producers. They were kind to respond to an amateur writer with a positive and supportive rejection letter.
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Aw, I love that story about your mom! My father was always telling me stories as a child, he definitely inspired me to start writing and continues to do so.
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Everyone, I truly appreciate your contributions here on my post. Such fun learning about all of you, and what events and people inspired you. Love the connection! Rebecca, your childhood sounded great, full of great times and laughter. You can't beat that!