So, essentially, I haven't been well. I would apologize for not posting for weeks, however, I have been working on my creativity and writing via other methods and have even contemplated deleting this blog and starting an official site. I still might do this, however, I am going to build up the posts here first, and then create an actual website.
I was pretty consistent for a few weeks, actually, for a few months. I was constantly writing, and if I got behind I pushed myself to catch up. That is, until I got sick. I had some sort of cross between mono and a really bad fever, which had me laid up for about two and a half weeks. After that, I was way too weak to play sports or work out. My mind wouldn't focus on writing, even though I tried. I actually have several terrible attempts on Google Drive that I have since been inclined to eradicate.
In my "down time" as it was, I discovered the immense and complete worlds of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. I had enjoyed reading LoTR and have loved reading fantasy and science fiction, but the quality of writing, the deep, mind bending worlds, and the characters that I spent days getting to know completely absorbed me. I believe I spent my entire waking hours one day reading the Mistborn trilogy. I have since progressed into the Wheel of Time, finished the Mistborn trilogy, Steelheart, Legion, finished the Enders Game books (Very tedious at times, but quite worth the time. Note: also look into Card's other fantasy books, they are quite amazing once you understand them) the first Stormlight Archive book, and am currently halfway through the second, Words of Radiance.
I began to notice how I could apply different aspects of these fantasy novels to real life. Many times, although the ideas are incomplete, or don't translate as well when compared to actual life decisions, they are great kickstarters for deep ideas and conversations.
Although I love all kinds of fantasy and science fiction, High Fantasy, with all of its complexities, is where I think I am going to stay for the next year or so. This, in turn, makes it fairly hard for me to write short stories. I feel I have to develop them beyond what is needed for a mere 3000 words. Although I am going to occasionally write up an idea, or flesh out a quick story, I want to discover what makes a good high fantasy book, good. I don't want to exclude other fantasy genres, as they have much inspiration for me to draw from. Brandon Mull's Beyonders series is one of the greatest fantasy stories I have ever read. I could care less that they are dedicated to 8th graders. They are well planned, thought out, and I found several ideas that are even greater than that of some High Fantasy novels.
With that said, I am going to attempt to write of my ideas and thoughts that come from the books that I currently read. As I am sticking with Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan for a while, I am hoping to have quite an arsenal of knowledge about high fantasy and what makes it great by the time I am finished with the Wheel of Time.
Not sure how this will help me, however, I will have upwards of one hundred posts by the end of the year. This will expand my repertoire and knowledge base, hopefully revealing what genre of books I will work towards writing.
I'm quite open to discussion on what I post, as well as other books to add to my reading list!
Thanks,
Mark
(If you want a complete list of what I have written this year, head over to my Medium page)
