New to being a GROUPY
There are so many inspiring writers in the world today both living and dead. I never thought I’d be inspired by any of them, especially since it was never my idea to become I writer, and maybe after some people read my blog they may say, “Don’t quit your day job.” Don’t worry; I won’t.
It would really suck if the world went into turmoil after December 21, 2012. It’s just not enough time for me to get a novel published, let alone 30. It’s going to be a while before I perfect my craft. Hell it’s going to take a millinia just to get a grip on this grammar stuff.
I know I can become successful if I apply myself and stop playing Modern Warfare 3. Yeah, I need to work on that one. It’s going to be hard, because there is nothing like playing games with your children and their friends. Hmph, they actually like playing with the old man. Maybe I’ll work on reducing my play time, instead of quitting all together.
I first became a David Baldacci flunky back in 2006 I believe. That was around the time I was introduced to audiobooks. Harry Potter, now that was a good start for me. The reader, Jim Dale, was phenomenal, and J.K. Rowling had a wonderful story line to match, but I don’t need to say anymore about that. The box office did plenty of speaking in favor of Harry Potter. After I became a David Baldacci groupy, I wanted to add more authors to my list. I found Lisa Gardner lurking in the matrix of darkness. Her FBI Profiler Series blew me away. There is no better father daughter team than the Quincy’s. I hadn’t quite entered the world of hardcovers, trade or mass production paperbacks until I read Scott Westerfeld’s, Ugly Series, and I loved it. It was the first series I’ve ever read via text, not my first novel but first series. The list kept growing: Terry Brooks, Vince Flynn, Ilona Andrews (aw man, love me some Kate Daniels and the oversized kittens), Lisa Jackson, Jeaniene Frost, Christopher Paolini, Lian Hearn, and a few others that I cannot recall right now. But I cannot forgot my newly favorite author Brent Weeks. The guy smacked-me-something-fierce with his Night Angel Trilogy. It was packed with complex plots, unforgettable characters, and down-home true grit, ummm finger lickin good
Now, we all expect to be taken aback by some awesome Bestselling author, but we never expect to be knocked off our feet by writers who haven’t been recognized yet. Well there are four writers who have made a serious positive, permanent, imprint on me. That’s my cousin Michele Barnes McClendon (a.k.a. Mitchel), Vicki Taylor Bonnell (a.k.a. Sensei), Kate Johnston (4am writer)(a.k.a. Coach KJ), and Krissy Brady (a.k.a. Senpai). Unfortunately there are no guys on the list, but I’m working on it.
These four have inspired me more than any bestselling author. My cousin was my first heroine. She self published three books. I never read her first book (Life as a Prayer Recapturing the Wind of Head Covering), I only read part of her third book (Beneath The Tamarisk Tree), but I read her entire second book (PERPETUAL GRACE IN THE VALLEY OF ENDURE: a poetic interlude). It was the first book that made me cry (it was just one tear though). Vicki Taylor Bonnell wrote a short pro about her brother who died when she was a child. Somehow her words placed me into her shoes, and I said to myself, “that’s what I want to do to a reader.” I bowed to her manuscript and called her Sensei. Then there is 4am writer. I read a topic she started on Linkedin.com, entitled First person point-of-view versus Third person point-of-view (or something to that effect). Up to that point, I was a die-hard Third person point-of-view beginner, novice writer. After participating in her discussion, I read the novel, My Sister’s Keeper which was outside of my genre. I read it in three weeks, and that’s good for me. I almost threw that same novel across the room because it stirred some serious emotions in me. I never had that happen before. Finally, I changed my opinion about which point-of-view was my favorite. I have no favorite point-of-views now, each story requires a certain POV. We as writers must find the appropriate one, Thanks Coach KJ for the enlightenment. Last but not least, there’s Krissy Brady. Below is a link to her website. This young lady is amazing. She continues to brave the emotional elements and shares her experiences with the virtual world, and every time I read one of her blogs featuring life’s lessons which normally includes writing, I get renewed. I became hooked on her blog after I read a section stating that she and her sister were looking for their people. I thought, physically speaking that would be rather confusing trying to relate to her statement, but when she described who her people were, I said, “Hey that’s me.” That was all it took.
If you are a beginning writer, a struggling writer, or even a thriving writer, I believe you should take a look at Krissy Brady’s site, especially if you are a woman, it’s ok for guys too, but it’s a tad-bit more beneficial for women.
She is speaking to writers on an emotional intellectual plane, but that’s not why I’m saying it’s advantageous for women.
Brian B. King
