06/14/2023: Where to Next?

Today I have to figure out where I’m headed. Now that we’re back to the old routine, I know it’s time to make the most of the opportunities that I didn’t allow time for before. I’ve missed reading, and I have enjoyed writing again. I think I was initially scared because my ideas weren’t flowing as quickly as they did when I set out on this journey this year. But maybe that’s because I’m starting to understand where I want to go from here and that requires more concentrated focus on fewer topics and styles. 

I think that writing whatever came to my mind showed me what I was strong in, and I’m ready to devote my efforts to the ideas that represent me and my voice the best. I know I’m a sucker for a good young adult fiction story, teen fantasy, rom-com/romance stories in young adult and adult genres, and now I’ve really developed a keen interest in adult fantasy and sci-fi stories. 

Through reading, my interests have been refined as well as expanded. That’s why I love reading so much. Getting lost in other worlds has always been my favorite escape from the real world. My favorite stories are ones with dark and harsh truths as well as insightful and inspiring wisdoms and lessons. I love stories that aren’t afraid to explore the harsh realities of human nature, of humankind. I enjoy hard lessons and not always getting what you want because that’s how the real world works. 

Sometimes I enjoy the complete opposite. There is always room for balance in anything. Some days it’s nice to know that evil can be vanquished and hope can save the day, even love. Some days it’s nice to remember that darkness always looms regardless of whether we win a single battle against evil, a reminder that we can’t stop fighting. Any story that accurately depicts human nature and has a great narrative at its core is bound to draw me in. 

So how do I harness all the inspiration I’ve gathered from books and movies that have shaped me and turn it into something of my own design? All I know right now is that I have to start digging deep and I have to stop being scared. The only way I will learn is if I constantly try and fail and learn from my mistakes. I don’t have to share everything with the world yet; I’m still finding my footing. But something I know I’ve been struggling with is allowing myself to put things out there for people to see. 

I know this is out of fear as well. I know that’s part of the next steps if I really want to get the ball rolling. So I’m going to dig deep, create as much as I can, and I’m going to share it with the world and just see what happens. The worst thing that could happen is nothing, but I won’t know until I do it. Nothing to lose. Yet.