Inspiring minds deserve praise

November 4th, 2009 by Thomas

I’ve just read one of the most horrific posts I’ve ever laid eyes on. I will not say to who this post belongs, but it was spine chilling to say the least. Which got me thinking, during this National Novel Writing Month thing is a perfect time for it as well.

Who inspired you to write, or who continues to inspire you to continue writing or both. If writing brings you joy, and peace (as it does me) then shouldn’t their names be praised. No, I don’t mean praised as in worshiped like a god, I mean praised as in thankful for them. Yes, we buy their books, and read their blogs, and even repost, link to or retweet things for them, but have we ever told them (if they are still around at least) that it is they that made us go hmmm maybe I should give this a try. So, in honor of this thought I post this…

To Caitlin Kittredge it was your book Second Skin that really put the writing bug in my mind. I so enjoyed that read. I have read many a book, as most writers and most of your other fans have, but none that moved me in personal way like that one. At the time I had no idea what had happened, or how to even word it. But, it seems of late the words have a way of just coming out, and it’s hard to stop them at times. Thus, joining NaNoWriMo, and creating a blog, and starting short story contests all with in the last oh 4 to 6 months. The characters flew off the page and came to life for me in a way that had never happened. Yes, I know, it was one of your very first books, but none-the-less it was fantastic in this reader’s eyes. And, I don’t really know if I have ever said Thank you for what you’ve done, or continue to do. And, in a not so stalkerish manner, I would like to do that. So, this is me saying Thank you Caitlin, in front of the world. I could go on and on about what it’s been like for me since I’ve started writing, and perhaps someday my work will be published, but until then I just enjoy the process. It has really given my life a whole new direction.

The other author who has continued to inspire me is, and you probably guessed it, Cherie Priest. While I have only recently purchased one of her books, which she signed for me (read: delighted), her blog has kept me interested and motivated at times when I thought this was a dumb idea*. To the point that, in an awkward sort of way, I stole her blog. I knew I wanted to keep a blog, especially after reading hers, but was unsure on how to start. So, imitation is the highest form of flattery right…so don’t be too surprised to see my first few posts and other tidbits very similar to hers. Sorry Cherie, I didn’t mean to steal it, and I promise it will change…if it hasn’t all ready.

I stumbled onto Cherie through Caitlin’s blog and combined they made a powerful team, to which they were probably quite unaware. So, thanks also go out to Cherie as one of only two authors who have made me want to write again.

So, there you have it folks, a homage to those who inspired me. Now, this could be good, or bad for the public if I ever get published, but for me personally in my life, it was a very good thing. To which both I am eternally grateful.

So, who has inspired you? Have you told them so? If not, in some way I hope you do. There should be a Author appreciation day I think….what say you? I mean really … were would this world be with out the written word? Both fiction and non-fiction, both outstanding work and the mediocre, both published, and unpublished…seriously…were would we be? Ponder that writers and readers…ponder that.

*yeah…did you ever think that as well…I’d like to know.