Inspirational Speeches

I've once again found myself in a staring match with a blank piece of paper and a pencil.Neither of us were willing to budge,so I reached out to my peer group for writing ideas.Almost immediately I was offered a few subjects that re lit the proverbial fire under my ass."Write about your writing influences,past or present,direct or abstract."What a great idea" I thought,especially coming from someone that will be mentioned in this piece!(Thanks Dion!)

An artist's ability to convey specific,concise feelings and situations in a three minute song,using only a couple hundred words, has always impressed me. To be able to paint a vivid picture of life that you as the reader or listener can feel you've become a part of, or have always been a part of is truly amazing to me. When I write I am primarily focused on the cadence of the words for each particular piece. I hope to leave a clear concise feeling that you the reader have taken a little piece of me with you. Like my writing influences my goal is to leave you with the idea that you were there yourself, being completely connected to the story. I hope to take you on a ride down "an old familiar road" with me. Whether I've ever achieved that is yet to be seen.

After much consideration I'd have to say my mother was my earliest and most formative influence because if nothing else she introduced me to the wonder of literature and music. I was hope sick from school in first maybe second grade, and she brought home two pocketbooks for my reading pleasure they were, "Last of the Mohicans" and a collection of Edgar Allan Poe stories. I never made it past the first page of "The Mohicans" book but the Poe stories were another adventure altogether. The feelings those stories evoked are precisely what I aspire to convey when I am writing. His stories left the hair raised on the back of my neck and palms sweaty, with the smell of that dank old wine cellar strong in the air, or feeling the wind that brought the raven to my window.

Another early influence was my relationship with my cousin Dion. We were clowns in the most dedicated sense of the word. We learned at an early age the power of humor (crude or otherwise), and the ability to bring people pleasure through laughter. We spent our time with vulgar Mad Libs, spoofing popular songs, and recording comedy skits. I learned about cadence and delivery with intent on belly laughs. We were focused on one emotion alone, but we mastered it.

My memory of my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Wills at Highland Elementary in relation to her influence in my writing is a bit abstract but formative nonetheless. She taught me about the true beauty of human nature and the importance of sharing freely with your brothers and sisters. She showed by example just how much we really are all alike and a dreamer isn't necessarily a fool, if he moves with purpose. She focused on the importance of imagination and creating as much our studies and book reports.

In high school I was honored to have Mrs. Lebedz for English Lit. She taught me to appreciate good literature as if it were a gift from above. In an extremely turbulent time in my life, a time filled with the reality of pain in loss, she taught me to embrace my emotions and to proudly wear them on my sleeve whether pleasing or painful. I learned from this that pouring your heart and soul onto paper can be extremely empowering and healing.

One of my first post adolescent influences that stands out to me is the great Stephen King. I was first introduced to his work through film adaptations of The Shining and Pet Semetary at a young age but when I began to read his works in my 20's I was floored to realize how much more frightening and well, downright unsettling his written works were. I was sold immediately, I remember feeling more like an uncle or old family friend was telling me ghost stories at the cabin fire, more than reading stories in the safe confines of my home I was enthralled with the way he spoke to his victims with eerie familiarity even through simple writer/reader dialogue his work is written with the precision of an X-Acto wound from under the bed.

Growing up with several musicians certainly had a huge impact on my interest and appreciation for writing. The relationships taught me several things including being confident and joyful when sharing your gifts. I learned it's okay to be comfortable in your own skin and display your creations proudly.

Last but not least is the obvious constant influence of the rest of my family. This section could end up its own piece entirely if I'm not careful! The infinite love and support give me the confidence to, if nothing else appreciate the therapeutic value of releasing your thoughts onto paper.

My influences are truly endless, these were just a few that stood out this time around. A heartfelt thank you to everyone that's touched my life. God Bless.