Where's Waldo? . . . And thanks for all the fish!

      One of the biggest (and most loaded) questions any artist, regardless of genre or type of art, is :What is your inspiration? I can't speak for anyone else, but i both love and hate this question, because the answer for me is SO HUGE that I could talk about it for hours, but it is also so simple I could answer it in one word: everything.

     From turning on the radio and hearing a song that I love or hate, and creating a story for it, to seeing a picture and doing the same thing. Everything in my life inspires me, my emotions, my experiences,  my friends, my enemies, strangers walking by, and that weird email I just got. Literally, I relax my brain and just let the story flow. The biggest question I have to ask myself, though, is this: Is this a story that I have passion for? Enough passion to write and rewrite, and give to others to edit, and then edit more, and then rewrite, and then be able to sell? Because those are the stories I need to invest myself in.

     The biggest reason I want to write is because I have something to say, and I need to use that voice. I have spent so much of my life wasting time and energy being scared that people won't like my words that I have screamed silently, but never publicly. Within the next few months and years, you will "hear" alot from me, because I have stories that only I can tell because I alone have been through these experiences or felt this way at this time or have this unique perspective or maybe only I have the balls to talk so blatantly about these subjects. Or at least, that is what I'm telling myself. Lol. I might be wrong, I guess only time, action, and writing will tell.

     I do want to take the time to thank some very special people in my life. First, my wife, Jules, she is my rock, without whom I do would mean anything, and I will always feel this way. Next, JWLL, my first writing group that helped me realize that I have a unique voice and I must use it, however I can. To Kayla, Chandra, and Krissy, my second writing group that helped push me farther, and helped me realize my dream. To everyone to organized GRL'11 because you all placed me exactly where I needed to see my dream more clearly. And my dad who always supported me, sometimes by fighting me. To Xara, my captain and one of my biggest cheerleaders. To Poppy, who's footsteps I want to follow. To Piper, JP, MJ, Missy, Tara, and Eden, who all offered a smile, a hug, and plenty of advice. To Jill, Januarie, and Heather who served as my betas on my first finished story. And continue to serve as part of The Prater Betas, as well as the 17 others who do so. To Kiernan who I have adopted as part of my family. To Denny, who inspires me in ways he doesn't know. To FabVab, who believes in me enough to co-write a story with me. To Cherie, another chief cheerleader. To Reece, my best man always. And finally to The Purple Thumb Posse, my first attempt at a larger writing family.

     To everyone listed, and to all those I have forgot, you all mean more to me than anything you can ever imagine. You each have a special piece of my heart (so many horcruxes!!) , so I shall never die. I am more grateful than I can ever say . . . or write.