puppetmaker | Write Brain

I discovered a number of years ago that I can either read or write but not both at the same time unless I am taking notes from what I am reading. Let me explain. If I am writing something of the fiction variety, I stop reading any fiction. I don’t do this on purpose but I have found it to be a pattern. Work on a short story and I stop reading the next book in a series I like. I can read non-fiction. When I am writing non-fiction or essays, it doesn’t matter. But the act of creating fiction seems to need its own space without other ‘voices’ in my head.

I have discovered that I am very good at aping others writing styles. I do a fine Dickens, a pretty good Verne, and an awesome Dumas. I know I am good a fan fiction. I have proved that to myself over the years.

Original stuff is much harder and must been done in a literary vacuum or I feel like I start to sound like whatever I am reading. I have ideas for stories. I have lots of ideas but the execution of the idea into something someone else might want to read is tricky. So I write for myself and hope that others enjoy my efforts.

I am working on a piece that I had the idea for about 20 years ago so I think it is high time for me to actually knock it into a real story. Has to do with something that happened at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern and a conversation I had with my good friend John Purcell. Still miss you John. He told me that if I didn’t write that story he was going to find me and make me write it because he wanted to read it. I didn’t get to finish it while he was alive so I am making a go of it now for his memory. He’s even a character in it under another name.

I am grateful for the ability to write and amuse others.