Writing Inspiration – Page 2 – John Murzycki, Author

October 13, 2021

A Healthy Addiction to Books

If you’re like me, you look forward to the time of day when you read for pleasure. I enjoy meeting people who are avid readers.

These are the ones who steal glances at cover jackets whenever seeing someone else reading. They ignore the trinkets and furniture at yard sales as they rummage through piles of dusty old books. Bookstores are a mandatory stop while shopping. They subscribe to a half-dozen online promotional sites offering discounted ebooks.

In the book publishing business, these people are called whales. They consume far more books than the typical person. When it comes to word of mouth, whale readers are priceless. They will tell everyone what they are reading and post detailed reviews.

August 31, 2021

Our Public Libraries

Next to bookstores, I love libraries. They are a great national treasure. Regardless of what kind of book you’re looking for, you will probably find it at your local library.

And in today’s world, it’s easier than ever because most public libraries list their catalogs online for print books and ebooks. As an added bonus, libraries are the one place you can borrow and read all my books for free. All you have to do is request the books if they haven’t purchased them yet.

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021

When Reality Becomes Fantasy

The first question I’m typically asked when someone finds out I’m an author is, “What kinds of books do you write?” My simple answer is Science Fiction and Fantasy.

That’s an uncomplicated response, which most people immediately understand. The problem is, it really doesn’t do justice to the question. If I’m asked to explain more, I might say that I write in the category of magical realism, or science fantasy, or (a definition I’m not crazy about) metaphysical and visionary. More often than not, I’ll receive blank stares.

So, here’s my attempt to explain what my books are about without putting a label on them.

March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

Regarding Snowstorms and Writing

Congratulations! We’ve made it through another winter … almost. I took the above photo in our family room during one of our many snow events this winter.

Although most people are ready for spring, here in the Northeast, we’ve had snowstorms in April. It’s uncommon to have snow that late in the season, but it has happened.

Whatever takes place at this point, it feels good knowing that spring is nearly here.

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020

Writing During a Turbulent Year

This has been a strange year and, in many ways, a difficult one. Anyone who has written a novel understands how events in the world can detract from the focus needed to craft a story. I felt the need to check news feeds more often during the past twelve months. Throw a U.S. presidential election into the mix, and the impulse can become obsessive.

Somehow during this turbulent year, my next book developed nicely. The storyline gradually took a life of its own, and the characters came alive. Nothing is more exhilarating to an author than knowing a story works and evokes a passionate response from readers.

It’s a magical feeling, believe me.

August 29, 2020August 31, 2020

The Power of Story

Thanks for taking the time to read my latest journal article. Much of my day now involves writing my next book, and I’m often surprised I haven’t posted in a few weeks.

Today, I reminisce about the power of story, and why I craft the novels I do.

Let me tell you what drove me to become a writer and storyteller. I wasn’t always this way. But even as a child, the love of books was part of my nature.

June 16, 2020June 17, 2020

Global Events Can Spark Your Imagination

If you feel like the world has been spinning out of control during these past few months, you’re not alone.

First, we faced the coronavirus and then witnessed the massive protests for racial equality. We haven’t even begun the ruckus that’s sure to unfold as we approach the presidential election here in the U.S.

I’m a news junkie, so I tend to pay attention to events taking place in the world. I try to tune out the noise when it becomes too much by concentrating on my writing. But the evening news has a way of capturing my attention.

In some ways, science fiction and fantasy writers are lucky. We draw upon events in the world as fodder for our plots. We use them to stimulate our imagination, asking what-if questions. And often, we come up with some pretty creative results. So, in a way, I’m really doing research by clicking on that Apple News app while I work.

May 5, 2020

The Language of a Pandemic

Words define us and explain the events of our generation. Such is the case with the current Coronavirus.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary recently added the word COVID-19. It took one month from conception to formal recognition, the fastest in the company’s nearly 200-year history. This wasn’t the only new word included in the dictionary because of the virus.

Usually, new words are added only after years of generally accepted use. But now, practically overnight, an entirely new vocabulary has developed.

Life may never be the same because of the virus, and that goes for our language. Here are some of the newest additions to our lexicon.

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.

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.