Inspiration – Page 4 – John Murzycki, Author

January 2, 2020

What are your wishes for the new decade?

New Year’s day has come and gone, the beginning of a new decade. It’s the time of year to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished in the past and make your wishes for 2020 and beyond.

The new year has barely begun, and I have already received a slew of newsletters and listened to several book publishing podcasts about setting an agenda for 2020.

My biggest desire for this year is a simple one: I want to become an even better writer and provide more stories that entertain, excite, and cause you to think about the unimaginable.

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019

A Thankful Post

With the holidays upon us, my message for this journal post is a simple one. I offer you my appreciation and gratitude. You make it possible for me to continue my dream of writing.

I’ve discovered that a writer’s life is not always an easy path to follow. It can be a daunting profession, putting words onto a blank page, knowing others will eventually judge the quality and worthiness of the books I write.

October 15, 2019

My Inspiration for The Story of Elthea’s Realm

Good writing is unbelievably complicated. I feel that’s especially true for novels. Fiction authors have many decisions to consider when crafting stories that are enjoyable and easy to read.

But it all starts with the seed of an idea that can be developed into a plot.

I used a college course called The Utopia Project to help me write a story that became the science fantasy series The Story of Elthea’s Realm. The course was the springboard for everything that followed in my books.

September 5, 2019

Great Books by Super Authors

I will often decide to read a new book based on someone’s recommendation. If you’re the same, read this post.

Because of my writing experience, I’ve become friends with a group of remarkable authors. You might not be familiar with their books, but be prepared for great reading in a variety of genres, both in fiction and non-fiction.

I highly recommend these authors and their books because of the flair they have for telling a story, or in the case of non-fiction, explaining a place and activity.

August 8, 2019August 8, 2019

The Ups and Downs of Writing

I always appreciate you taking the time to read my Journal posts. I try not to post too often, only when I feel I have something meaningful to discuss. Plus, as I’ve often said, I would rather be writing my next book than talking about it.

But the fantastic thing about this Journal is that the more you know about the person writing the book, the better your experience as a reader. You’re able to learn something about me and the reasons why I want to share my stories with you.

In this post, I’ll discuss a few of my thoughts about how I write and the motivation I use to keep writing.

May 20, 2019

How to Write a Novel

During my life, I’ve read a ton of books about writing a novel. From books about character development, world building, dialog, plot development… you name it, I’ve read about it. I have an entire bookcase full of books about how to write.

Many of those books did help me understand the essential techniques needed to develop a well-written story. But for me, the most crucial part of my road to becoming a published author was to sit down and do it.

Of course, my first attempts were horrible. But I kept trying. I put those early manuscripts in the bottom drawer of a file cabinet and began again. And when those results weren’t good enough, I started the process over from the beginning.

March 8, 2019

My Twenty Best Inspirational Quotations on Reading and Writing

I love finding inspirational quotations. That’s especially true when I read a quote regarding the love of reading books, or about writing them.

I always enjoy the pleasure others take in reading and writing. Even quotes about the challenges and pitfalls of writing interest me. They help me understand I’m not alone when I hit rough patches as I craft my next novel.

December 29, 2018January 5, 2019

Wishing you the Very Best for 2019

Happy New Year!

This is the time of year that marks a transition in our lives from what has happened to what will be. We face a blank page where everything is possible for the good things we have yet to accomplish.

For myself as a writer, it’s an occasion to reflect on how I’ve evolved in this craft. I believe I’ve come a long way, but I’m always trying to improve my skills before I’m satisfied. The feeling is simultaneously one of the banes and one of the joys of being an author.

October 27, 2018October 14, 2019

My First Three Years

Well, somehow it’s been three years now since I began writing fiction full-time. I’ve learned much during this time, like how to piece together a bunch of disparate ideas into a seamless plot.

But mostly, I’ve learned that a good novel is actually a conversation between two people — the writer and the reader. To me, that’s the magic of fiction, and of storytelling. And it’s what I try to achieve in my books.

Continue reading “My First Three Years”