Midnight Musings from a Maniac's Mind

[T] Finding Inspiration

Hi everyone! This is your Midnight Maniac here! ⌒°(❛ᴗ❛)°⌒

So, I've decided to try and publish a short chapter here everyday around midnight. I'll do this until I run out of topics to talk about or stuff to write (probably never). 

I was really inspired to create this book after I read "Food for Thought?" which is why I've dedicated this chapter to sall_hwa. 

Ultimately, I believe writers make an impact on their world and shpae their society at large through their writing. Whether they write fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, romance, paranormal, horror, or any other genre. 

For example, J.K. Rowling. 

Harry Potter might be a fun book, for children of all ages, but if you read closely, you'll notice that Rowling has subtly inserted messages for her young readers. What she thinks of the school system. What she thinks of diversity. What she thinks of racism and sexism. It's all there for those who look, hidden amongst the words of the compelling story she weaves. 

It's genius. 

But...sometimes subtlety, with all its beauty and nuance, cannot have the same impact as just coming out and TELLING you how I see the world. Therefore, this book.

Let me go back to the title of this chapter–Finding Inspiration. 

Having your thoughts ever turned melancholy after listening to a sad song or watching a sad story? I'm constantly amazed by how the human minds is affected by the messages found in popular music, literature, and art. 

Sometimes, we're inspired by something, and we don't even realize it. 

A few days ago, I was writing Chapter 15 of Fleeter. A day or two before that, I'd gone on a horror and thriller marathon. As I sat down to write my story, it twisted and evolved until I, the author, was shocked by what I'd written! 

But my readers liked it. The last time I checked, that chapter still has more votes than the ones just before or after. 

Another time, I was reading some romances. The chapters I wrote in that time frame clearly have a romantic/ chickflick flavor to them. Cool. Again, not something I'd actively planned or would have normally written. 

What's my point here? Don't just write y'all, read! And read a variety of stuff. Your writing will be richer, more flavorful, before you even realize.

I'm going to end this short ditty by giving a shoutout to some people and their books that have been my inspiration for writing. These are not Wattpad novels, sorry friends. Maybe I'll make a post for that later. 

1. Tamora Pierce: basically every novel she's written

Of course, Pierce is a big name in the fantasy world. But she was the first author I read in my adolescence, who had a female main protagonist. Of course, now there are plenty of heroines in the literary world. But nothing will ever beat Veralidaine Sarrasri and her wild magic! 

2.  William H. Armstrong: Sounder 

Many might think this is an odd choice for a high fantasy lover like me, but Sounder is a book I cannot forget. It was the first book I can remember where I cried at the ending. Armstrong is an amazing writer. He knows exactly how to tug at his reader's heartstrings. I have a lot to learn before I can hope to match his level. 

3. Joseph Heller: Catch-22

I'm sure you've read this book if you've taken high-school English class in the USA. It's brilliant. This book opened my eyes the fact that writing was an art, completely separate from the plot of the story. The first time I read this book, I was completely bored out of my mind for the first 100 pages. It was nonsense! Absurd! Then, everything started to fall into place, like pieces of a puzzle. When I reached the end, I had to reread it all over again, just to appreciate the hints of foreshadowing that Heller incorporated. I want to be able to write like this someday.

4. Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes

Doyle is a household name. I don't think a single person today doesn't know his most famous detective character–Sherlock Holmes. This was another of those stories that made me cry, when I thought Holmes had died. Doyle made the whole world cry! Can you imagine making such a beloved character? That's the dream of every writer. 

There you have it! Four authors who've influenced me and my writing. As you can see, they each bring something new to the table. Give me YOUR top four in the comments below!