If you think inspiration comes only from positive sources, think again!
My English high school teacher in junior year was kind of an ass. I liked him at first. But when he told the entire class (not even knowing at least ONE of us aspired to being a professional writer) that none of us could write, before evaluating us, I thought, man, you are mistaken, and sorely out of line.
This is the same teacher who, after Christmas break, just disappeared without a trace. I found out he joined a church but it did not matter because after insulting us and assigning a mid-term paper no one graded, he disappeared, abandoning us without a word. I saw him in the subway once a few months later and he turned away, perhaps embarrassed. I'd be embarrassed too.
But Mr. J. (I will reserve the temptation to use his full name, which I will most certainly never forget it) actually served to inspire me. What he did was ignite a fire in my soul, one that, in my sort of competitive way, a fire that said, "I'll show him!"
After college I went on to write for local newspapers and magazines, and later I became a technical writer. All this while I'd been writing since a youngster: short stories, poems, lyrics, comedy routines and even comic strips!
See above. On the left here you see me with my stubborn face getting a passport photo when I was 3. I haven't changed. Don't take my picture!
As I matured I added novels, a non-fiction book and scripts to that list. While my style is mostly light-hearted or serious family, work and relationship stuff, I did manage to add a horror short story to my repertoire. So even when my "day job" title was not writer, I still wrote, for others, and for myself. I worked permanent and freelance jobs.
Sure, there have been others who inspired me along the way. I have to credit my kids and some of my friends and co-workers for inspiring fantastic characters! But you know, I will never forget Mr. J., as awful as his delivery was, and if he was doing some early trash talking to get me going, well it worked.
My inspiration: Reese and Logan
I wish Mr. J. the very best of luck, wherever he is, whatever he is doing. Hopefully he is reading some of my stuff!
"...if he was doing some early trash talking to get me going, well it worked."
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