Writing Inspiration – John Murzycki, Author

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024

Calling All Book Readers

I recently received a message from a reader who wondered why I frequently write about writing techniques and the writing process in this blog post. “After all,” this person said, “we are readers, not aspiring authors.”

That’s a valid comment, and it goes to the core of why I write this blog in the first place.

The answer is simple. My mission is to provide book readers, such as yourself, with insight into what it takes to write and produce a novel so that you can better appreciate the books you read.

By providing a small glimpse into an author’s craft and what it takes to publish a novel, I hope to convey the richness of a good book and give readers a deeper understanding of the storytelling process.

October 23, 2024

How Books Are Born

You may have heard about the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which recently came close enough to Earth that we could view it without a telescope. If you’ve followed the news, you know it won’t return for another 80,000 years.

Events like this can ignite a spark in many authors, launching new storylines for novels. Let me explain.

Last month, I discussed how authors use their creativity to develop ideas for new books. Today, I provide an example of how we use events like this comet to create exciting new plots, whether in fantasy stories, historical fiction, literary fiction, or other genres.

For us authors, events like this are a goldmine for story ideas.

September 29, 2024

Inspiration and Creativity, the Lifeblood of an Author

When I tell someone that I write fiction, I often hear the question, “How do you come up with ideas for your stories?”

One famous author answered this by saying, “I have an idea generation machine that spits out more storylines than I can use.”

That response may sound a bit snarky, and the truth is that creativity doesn’t come from a secret tool only authors know about, nor does it usually appear in a sudden flash of genius.

For me, creative material often comes from unexpected places.

April 10, 2024

The Life of a Writer

Ah, what a glorious life becoming a novelist, gleefully crafting thousands of words daily. A seemingly endless flow of creative ideas keeps bubbling to the surface. Fanciful dreams take flight—New York Times Best Seller, Oprah’s Book Club, movie rights.

You probably guessed where I’m going with this.

The life of a writer is mostly hard work. There are moments when everyone in this business asks, “What made me think I could ever do this?”

February 8, 2024

Winter, My Favorite Season

Did I ever tell you I really enjoy the winter season here in New England? Those of you who have been with me for a while have heard me say it before, but it’s worth repeating.

Alas, as I write this, the forecast is for warmer-than-average temperatures for the next week. But I’m hoping the season will linger for a bit longer.

For me, this is an excellent time to focus on the craft of writing. There are fewer distractions during the cold and snowy weather. Although I love gardening during spring, summer, and fall, I always feel torn between that and my true passion for writing.

November 14, 2023

The Magic of Words

Have you ever considered the magic mere words can have when strung together in a novel? I don’t necessarily mean the sorcery or witchcraft in a supernatural or fantasy story.

I’m referring to the feeling you get from a good book, whether it’s happiness, wonder, surprise, or whatever the emotion.

Most people read fiction because they want to experience something from the story.

Many readers love getting swept away to another place and time. Maybe it’s the excitement of seeing a hero or heroine overcome insurmountable odds. Or perhaps you like twists and turns and shocking surprises.

September 19, 2023September 19, 2023

Why Some Novels Are So Easy To Read

The photo above was taken at my desk where I am working on my latest novel.

I once heard a writing coach say that the easiest novels to read are often the ones that authors worked the hardest on.

My novels take a long time to produce because I spend so much effort fine-tuning the little things that the reader will never notice. Every author has a million choices to make as the story progresses, and those choices make the difference between a dull story and a book that you can’t stop reading.

August 22, 2023August 22, 2023

My Most-Cherished Books

In this journal post, I am excited to share a list of my all-time favorite books, spanning beyond just the past year or so. These are the books that have captured my heart and that I have remembered through time.

I once heard someone say that books provide a view into a reader’s soul, and the ones readers choose can tell a lot about them. So, I’d like to share some of my most cherished books with you. Looking at this tally is like taking a snapshot of who I am.

I’ll begin with those most recently read and work my way back. Let me know if we have any in common, or even better, if you have recommendations of books I should consider.

June 29, 2023

Creating Fantasy Fiction

People often ask me, “Why did you decide to write fantasy fiction?” The other question I often get is, “How do you come up with ideas for your stories?”

So, today, I pull back the curtain just a little to show you what’s behind my books and what inspired me. This won’t answer all your questions, but it will give you a peek into why I write and what I think about as I develop a manuscript.

Why Do It: Everyone has a passion in life—that one thing you want to accomplish more than anything else. For me, it has always been to write fiction (at least since I was in college). I had worked as a communications and marketing manager in the corporate world for many years, which paid the bills. Eventually, I pursued my passion and wrote the story I had secretly worked on for decades.

May 16, 2023

Artificial Intelligence Is No Longer Science Fiction

Not that long ago, artificial intelligence was a topic limited to science fiction novels and movies. That is no longer the case. AI is here, it will change many aspects of our lives, and it’s not going away.

AI systems are generally more intelligent than humans and are already beginning to change our society in many ways.

Experts with more knowledge about the subject are debating AI’s positive and negative ramifications–something we all should pay close attention to. AI has the potential to transform society by improving human creativity. However, it also comes with a serious risk of misuse and societal disruptions that could have dire consequences.