Beginnings

I have created a new journal blog thing. Again. There's a surprise if ever I saw one, considering I have a history of starting a blog, writing a few posts and then letting it fall by the wayside while some new interest takes my fancy. The reason behind this is that I have never really been all that comfortable talking about myself. Most of my interests are rather solitary; reading into the late hours of the night or thinking up stories for no audience but myself, so much so that I feel that talking about it to others often removes some of the charm and wonder I experience while immersed in those activities. Stories are a big part of my life and the books I have picked up along the way have taught me so much, often affecting me on both an emotional and personal level. Or maybe I'm just strange, and these are merely the ramblings of a guy trying to think of the best way to start his blog journal thing before the motivation drains away...

The reason for starting this journal blog thing (one of these days I'll think up a decent title, but for now it'll suffice) is because an important time in my writing life has finally arrived. After reading and studying hundreds of books for inspiration something has finally clicked in my mind - like unlocking a door within the recesses of my mind, a door that has always been present but remained hidden until now - and for the first time I feel I have a general idea of the kind of stories that I want to write. It's still very early days, and my writing talent (or lack thereof) is laughable at best considering how little practice I've had since I left uni, but now is the time to put pen to paper and write like a crazy person until the day I hone and polish that idea into a style that will be unique to me.

So think of this journal blog thing as my companion while I write; a place where I can muse on different topics that interest me, vent my feelings and discuss all manner of things. Maybe people will read it, maybe they won't, but it will be good to get some of my thoughts down on paper and get into the habit of chatting about the things that I am passionate about, or just talk about life in general. Most of this weekend and the evening next week will be a time of frantic planning (seriously, I've stocked up on coffee and Belgian chocolates, so I must be serious). I have a basic, yet unrefined idea for my first short story, so it will be good to see how it will progress in the coming weeks.

Another thing that I find exciting about all this? There are only two paths for me to follow, and my actions will determine whether I work hard on my craft and hopefully make something of myself in the distant future, or fall into my old lazy habits and watch in dismay as my literary interests fade into dust and ruin before they even get off the ground...

You know me, I pride myself on being such a confident, optimistic person.