I love to write. Simple as that. Whether it be an informative essay or a short story, the act of putting words on paper (or a screen, as it were), has always held a certain interest with me. It’s funny that I like putting my thoughts into words, considering that I am terrible at conversation. But despite my issues with conversation (mainly being lack of self-confidence and a habit of making jokes at my own expense, but I digress), I was inspired by several authors to write, and keep writing. I thought that I would share that with whatever readers are interested.
Most kids hated reading William Shakespeare in school, but he was one of my many inspirations. Whether writing a comedy or a bloody tragedy, Shakespeare focused on the development of his characters. In The Merchant of Venice, for example, the villain, a Jewish merchant by the name of Shylock was fleshed out more than any other character. Shakespeare gave him motivation for his actions against the protagonist (he was an abused, minority of a businessman who wouldn’t take any more), and portrayed Shylock in such a way that left the viewer sympathetic for the villain. Shakespeare was also extremely creative in his plays, in every aspect. He does not simply kill a character, he serves poetic justice. One only has to look so far as the play Titus Andronicus (meat pie, anybody?). How is that inspiring, you may ask? Perhaps I don’t write my essays in Victorian Middle English, but in my fiction, I try to focus on character development as much as possible.
Mark Twain was another biggie. Unlike other authors of his time, Twain’s work is often very down to earth, sarcastic, but still packing that emotional punch. The star work in this case is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I also read Tom Sawyer, and enjoyed the book, but Huck Finn far surpasses with an emotional story riddled with humor and different takes on society. More than that, what I’ve read about Mark Twain as a person was inspiring to me. Even before he wrote his big hits, he wrote commentaries and lectures. He had a comment about everything, from government to writing to religion. He didn’t try to pretty up his writing, he simply wrote.
While I don’t see myself as either a Greaser or a Soc, S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders really hit me. I remember reading it during middle school, and it was actually the first story I’d read that nearly made me cry (the only other one that came close was John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. Don’t judge me). I think that was my first taste of just how powerfully emotional fiction can get.
Last but certainly not least, we have the 1989 film Dead Poets Society. While it may be more proper to say that the writer or director of the movie was the inspiration, I have to say that it was Robin Williams’s portrayal of professor John Keating. He is the one who taught me to love language, and the meaning of Carpe Diem. May he rest in peace.
And so, there you have it. I wish you all good night, and good luck!
Rants of Geeks 