Garbage in, Garbage out is a philosophy of words and worlds I continue to hold dear. I believe what you read and watch greatly influences what you choose to and have the depth to write. It used to be that I consumed a massive amount of fantasy and as a result I wrote fantasy stories. After I found my way to Gibson and Stross I started writing science fiction. I suppose the point can be made that my writing is largely referential of these artists, but I would argue they are more so the gateway drugs to the genres they inhabit. I also think that I get inspired by what I perceive as good writing. Stephen King stories make me want to write great stories.
Beyond these inspirations I remain driven by the situations that arise in and around my life. I want to tell these stories as well. I prefer to tell them in a different context (mostly sci fi) but there remain human stories that need telling. I still feel a responsibility to tell them.
Some Thoughts:
- I am starting to release some of this obsession I have with my kids’ success in youth sports. I think that is happening because I am starting to recognize that they aren’t as good as I want them to be and aren’t on the kinds of teams that they need to be in order to be elite.
- No, I don’t intend to become the dad who coaches such teams. I do want to have some fun with my kids in a different way. I want to learn how to have fun with them in other ways than just these sports that have become so all consuming. I’m not mad about the sports stuff and still enjoy it, but I am getting worn out on it and nobody else in my life seems to appreciate it in any way, which makes it feel like it is me and the boys fighting to preserve something that isn’t making us entirely happy.