Ever wanted to try writing fiction, but were overwhelmed? Me, too. Constantly.
My name is M. Douglas White and, among many other interests, roles, and responsibilities, I love writing fiction. I’ve enjoyed a fondness for the written word throughout my entire life. My favorite areas of study in grade school and through university were always in the humanities. I’ve been a voracious reader of countless subjects in both fiction and non-fiction forms since childhood. As an adult, I’ve been fortunate enough to make a living by stringing together sentences in journalism, copywriting, and technical writing. And I even earned an MBA degree on the strength of my interest in elevating written business communication methods. I’ve helped companies initiate comprehensive rebranding efforts, improved their channels of communication, and curated corporate blogs for many years. But this is my first-ever attempt at a blog that documents one of my own personal projects.
I’ve always had a keen fascination with fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy. But the prospect of creating my own fictional worlds had always seemed too intimidating, too daunting, and too time-consuming. So I often focused my energies elsewhere. Sure, I’ve written various fictional stories from time to time, but they were always the result of external motivations from loved ones, a fleeting spark of creativity that I failed to nurture into a roaring blaze, or an annual Halloween scary story contest amongst friends.
Thinking about the future.
Fiction writing had never been a priority for me—a 9-to-5 existence, climbing a corporate ladder, and other hobbies had always occupied the bulk of my time. I’m also a husband, as well as a father to a young, fiercely intelligent, and joyful daughter. My wife and I also have a new arrival on the way. Writing down my own stories never seemed quite as important as spending quality time with my family, embracing other passions, or learning new skills to further increase my professional growth. But, like so often in life, things evolve, including one’s own interests and outlooks.
In seeking to cultivate future connections with my children and instill in them a fondness for literature of all sorts and from authors of all walks of life, I started revisiting many of my favorite stories, especially science fiction and fantasy tales. Perhaps one day my children will share my love of the genres. Or, hopefully they’ll at least learn to value the wonders of a good story, in whatever form it takes.
It’s been that desire to inundate my children with a surplus of resources—in this case, stories—that has inspired me to make a concerted effort to write some of my own fiction over the past few months. And wouldn’t you know it? I fell in love with the process, the challenge, and the satisfaction of crafting something wholly unique. Creating characters, world-building, and exploring human (and alien) emotions has been so much fun. Writing fiction has also proven a beneficial form of exercise for my professional life, as well, one that reinforces the habits of clear and concise communication, organization, and problem solving.
Staying motivated. And accountable.
A journalism mentor once told me, “A good story can change someone’s life.” That’s something I truly believe. Storytelling is a craft. Like woodworking, cooking, playing a sport, or learning a new language, it requires hard work, patience, and continual practice. I believe that the world needs good stories, and I hope to do my very small part in creating them. But beyond that, I want to encourage and inspire others to create their own stories. This is especially true of those who face the same apprehensions that I did, and still do to this day. Time constraints, professional responsibilities, familial obligations, lack of inspiration or motivation—all of these can be balanced with your writing. If I can do it, then you certainly can, too.
Also, like any new skill or interest of which I hope to cultivate, I’ve found that accountability is key. I’ve found that monitoring my progress greatly enhances my ability to grow and improve. That’s another reason for this blog. By documenting my efforts, I hope that it aids my personal evolution as a storyteller, yes, but also my real-world professional development, too.
Ultimately, I love both stories and learning. I want to share with you what I’ve discovered and hopefully learn a lot more along the way.
Want to stay in touch? Follow me on Twitter—@mdouglaswhite.
