The Reaper's Quota & Chasing The Reaper
I was always writing stories as a kid, and I would staple printer paper together and write and illustrate my own picture books (some of which my parents kept, much to my embarrassment!). My family was always very supportive about my writing, and so was my fifth grade teacher. Mrs. Wagner had a weekly “Writer’s Workshop” where the class would work on writing their own books, and when we were done, she would bind them and create covers and we’d get to read them aloud to the class. I cranked out three books that year, and I still have them! So, I guess writing has always been in my blood. I’ve been a storyteller for as long as I can remember.
The first one that comes to mind is Sandman. It’s such a gentle interpretation. Death as one of the Four Horsemen in Supernatural was also really interesting to me. Everyone keeps telling me to read Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series because I’ll love his take on Death, and I’m sure I will, I just haven’t gotten a chance to read it yet.
Absolutely! I love the freedom to write the way I want to write. I don’t write with a particular audience in mind. I write what I want to read, and if other people like what I come up with, that’s just icing on the cake for me!
First, just write. Set aside time to write each day or each week and let the words flow. Don’t worry about who your book will be for or if it’s any good. Write for yourself first, always. Second, join a critique group, and if there isn’t one in your area, start one! Your local library is a great place to start. Not only has the feedback I’ve gotten on my own work helped tremendously, but critiquing for others has helped improve my own writing skills as well. I would not be the writer I am today without my critique groups, and I owe them a great deal for all the help they’ve given me!
