Guest post by Brian Taylor
If you regularly follow this blog, you may recognize me from my countless comments here. As Jani put it, “I’m part of the furniture around here.” So I jumped at the chance to submit a guest post for this months writing journey theme.
As I inch along my tightrope toward publication, I’d like to say I was one of those writers who knew early on they wanted to write. The simple truth is I wasn’t. I’ve always been a creative person. I paint, draw, compose/play music, and even dabbled in creative writing growing up. I wanted to start a band and write songs. I taught myself to play the guitar and wrote a ton of songs, complete with lyrics. I had a whole album layed out, still have the recordings on cassette tape, but I never believed in myself enough to pursue it. And before you ask, no, you can’t hear my songs.
You see, I grew up in a less than ideal environment. We weren’t encouraged to explore our interests and become something great. We were supposed to get good grades and stay out of trouble. Nothing more and nothing less. My parents started a countdown to our eighteenth birthday since the day we were born. On that day, we were expected to leave.
My eighteenth birthday came and I did leave. I was the only one out of five children who made it that long. The circumstances are still painful. My relationship with my mother has never been the same.
I wandered through life working dead-end jobs in order to support the one person who really loved me, my sister and her newborn son. After a short time, my sister, whom I love very much, kicked me to the curb. She chose a boyfriend over her brother. With nowhere left to go, I enlisted in the military. The guy left my sister soon after. She found herself pregnant and I found myself in the Air Force. I never told her how much she hurt me. I don’t think I ever will. Deep down she knows.
I excelled in the military, just like everything else I put my mind behind. It was during my third year in the Air Force when I realized I wanted to write. One of my superiors wrote me up for disobeying a direct order which he never gave. I won’t go into specifics, but I will say I wrote a four page rebuttal complete with quotes from president Eisenhower, and general MacArthur. I showed the rebuttal to another of my superiors who promptly smiled and shook his head in disbelief. He said, “Remind me to never get on your bad side.” Needless to say, the paperwork all disappeared after a closed-door meeting.
Something changed inside me. I discovered my words had power. My inner writer was born.
About a year after, I sought out one of my favorite authors, Jeff Long. He wrote one of my all time favorite books titled THE DESCENT. On his website he shares stories of fans approaching him with great ideas for books. His response is always the same. He encourages them to grab a notebook, a pen, and sit at the kitchen table to write the stories themselves. Mr. Long believes we are all storytellers at heart.
Lightning struck. Mr. Long’s words coursed through every cell in my body. I was going to write a book.
That was 2004. As we all know, life often gets in the way of our dreams. That creative spark has never left me. I suspect it’s here to stay.
The very first idea I had for a book was a war between angels and vampires for control of heaven and Earth. Between military life and two deployments, I kept that idea tucked away and began writing a different story. There was something about that first idea that nagged at me. It wouldn’t let go. Many years later that idea has become my first manuscript.
I’ve learned so much about writing, and life since then. Much of it the hard way. In all honesty, I wouldn’t have it any other way. All of the pain and scars remind me what I’m fighting for. My whole life I’ve done everything for everyone else. This time I’m doing it for me, because I want to. Writing is a part of me. It’s who I am.
So I’ll continue to inch along my tightrope and eventually I’ll reach the other side. When the time is right. When I’m strong enough. And it will be the most glorious thing to ever happen to me.
For the time being, I’m right where I belong. Here, with all of you and I’m extremely grateful. I’d like to thank this blog and community for having me, and liking me enough to let me hang around. It means the world to me.
“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.”–Frederick Douglass
Brian Taylor is a former soldier turned writer with a soft spot for the horror genre and black Labs. He grew up watching movies like The Evil Dead with his grandmother, which naturally led him to seek out horror in literature. It was then that he stumbled upon Dean Koontz, and he never looked back. Brian is currently hard at work polishing his first manuscript, but always has time to help a fellow writer. You can find him and Buck, his black Lab, at http://descentintoslushland.wordpress.com/
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
vaughnroycroft
July 30, 2012 at 9:15 am
Hey Brian, Glad to see you in a starring role here! Isn’t it funny how those few mentors and the phrases uttered that begin your journey remain so crystal clear? Congrats on finding the thing that helps define who you are. You’re way ahead of most of the sleepwalkers out there.
I wish you great success in reaching the other side, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. In so many ways, those of us who’ve found this calling are already there. Thanks for an honest and heartfelt post. Great getting to know you a bit better!
bwtaylor75
July 30, 2012 at 2:52 pm
You flatter me sir! I’m just happy to be here. Not only am I enjoying the journey, but I’m also enjoying the company as well. Thanks for the kind words and support. It means a lot.
Tonia Marie Houston
July 30, 2012 at 11:52 am
Hello, Friend. Thank you for sharing your story. It takes guts to get personal. But I think we can all agree you have heart, big heart. Vaughn said it- just knowing what you want in life is a big step ahead of a lot of people. I admire that.
Also, Brian, I want to take a moment to thank you for your service in the Air Force. You can’t be thanked enough for that. My baby sis is a veteran, and I still thank her for her courage and being willing to commit to her country.
I’m glad you’re here and delighted to have you as a guest.
bwtaylor75
July 30, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Thank you, Tonia. Even though our journeys are our own, it doesn’t mean we can’t walk together for a while. I’m glad to have gotten to know you better and I believe I’m a better person because of it. I can’t wait for the day when we can share our books with the world. I truly believe it will happen.
As for my service, ack, don’t mention it. Now I know how to describe 130 degree desert heat. Oh, and how to check my shoes for scorpions before I put them on. Any woman who serves has it ten times worse than any guy. Your sister deserves the thanks.
Thanks for having me, I’ll be sure to turn the lights out before I head home. Keep shining.
Diana J Febry
July 31, 2012 at 6:48 am
I wish the very best to you Brian. You, me (bad english) and so many other writers have found a calling to write when in difficult places. When I first started to try and connect with other writers I was overwhelmed by the kindness and support I received. I saw a true generosity of spirit. It seems these people have turned negative situations to positive actions as opposed to negative retaliation. That takes true courage. I look forward to hearing about the release of your book. Diana J Febry.
bwtaylor75
August 1, 2012 at 6:40 am
The kindness and support of the writing community is a wonderful thing, as you’ve helped show with your lovely comments. Thank you for stopping by. I hope your journey is filled with light, love, and happiness.
Rebecca
July 31, 2012 at 9:54 am
Brian, what a wonderful post! I’m endlessly fascinated by the story of people – the hows and whys they choose to do what they do. Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to seeing your book out there one day.
bwtaylor75
August 1, 2012 at 6:43 am
I knew you’d say that, really! Thanks for letting me hang around. It’s fun to see how each journey is different, or similar. Maybe we can swap books one day. I’d like that.
Courtney Koschel
July 31, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Brian! Thank you so much for giving us some insight into your journey as a writer. I’m so glad we’ve gotten to know each other a bit more through this awesome community. Good for you on rising above and following your dreams. Life has a way of taking us on a crazy journey–we often don’t know why, but we have to hope it’s all for a reason, right?
You are such a talented man, and you said it perfectly–your words have power. Keep writing, my friend.
bwtaylor75
August 1, 2012 at 6:47 am
I can’t thank this community enough. All of you have been so supportive and caring. It really means a lot to me. I believe I’ll get to the other side. When I do, I’ll have a long list of people to thank, present company included. I wonder how some of the more hardcore horror lovers will take seeing Hugs and Chocolate before the book? I guess I’ll have to get published so we can see.
Thanks for having me, thanks for supporting me, and thanks for inspiring me.
Jamie Raintree
July 31, 2012 at 8:01 pm
You have such an interesting story! Thank you so much for sharing it with it. It’s great to see you on this side.
I look forward to checking out your first novel, though I admit I’m not generally a horror reader and it may take me a long time to complete it since I won’t be able to read it before bed. Lol!
bwtaylor75
August 1, 2012 at 6:49 am
I wouldn’t be on this side without any of you.
Who would have guessed a writer so different could find a comfortable place among so many talented YA writing ladies? You ladies truly inspire me. And for that, I can’t thank you enough.
Heather Marsten
July 31, 2012 at 11:37 pm
I wish you have a successful and fun tightrope walk. Sorry to hear about your parents throwing you out at eighteen. I’m glad that you persist in your dream.
bwtaylor75
August 1, 2012 at 6:53 am
Thank you, Heather. I wouldn’t have thought a tightrope walk would have been this much fun, but it has been. It’s all about the people you meet and how much fun we make it, right? Thanks for the support. I hope you find success and fun on your journey too. And don’t forget to smile.
Heather Reid
August 1, 2012 at 6:57 am
Brian, what can I say that hasn’t already been said? Thank you for everything you bring to this community and for being you. I know you’ve been through some tough times, but your courage and determination are a true inspiration. Your journey as a writer is just begining and I’m greatful to get to walk with you on your path to success.
bwtaylor75
August 1, 2012 at 7:05 am
I wouldn’t be where I am right now without your support. Thanks for letting me lean on you. Sometimes the road gets weary and it’s great to know there are other writers who genuinely care. I only hope I can give back as much as I’ve taken. When I get down on myself, I can always come here and my troubles are forgotten. Thank you, a million times more, thank you. It really does mean the world to me.
Daphne Shadows
August 8, 2012 at 3:14 am
This is amazing. No wonder you’re so awesome.
bwtaylor75
August 8, 2012 at 5:39 am
I don’t know about awesome, but thanks for the support.