My biggest literary influence is actually someone whose books I’ve never read. They have defined the fantasy genre and made seamless transitions between fantasy and scifi. They offer lectures and advice to new and upcoming authors, without arrogance and with exceptional amounts of encouragement. The only reason I haven’t read their work is because their writing style doesn’t blend with my reading focus. That being said, I have an incredible amount of respect for Brandon Sanderson. 

My entire goal in life is to make as big of an impact on the science fiction genre as Brandon Sanderson has made on the fantasy genre. As much as I love science fiction, I struggle to find books that I enjoy reading in the genre. Hence the reason I have made it my mission to make a splash in the industry. I found my passion was showing plausible science in my stories with the hope that it will inspire readers to look into the sciences. 

Science was once a strong passion of mine, but it was suddenly snuffed out in my school science class. When I couldn’t understand my teacher’s explanation of an internal combustion engine, they gave up and told me that it doesn’t matter, I was a girl, I just need to be sure to always have an autoclub membership. The sharp words stung and gave me a strong distaste for science. For years I refused to study science of any kind, thinking that I just wasn’t cut out for it. To this day, I feel like that time was stolen from me. When a scifi trilogy idea came to me a few years ago, I knew I needed to face my frustrations. My main character was supposed to be a starship engine mechanic, which meant I needed to know how an engine works before I could adjust it for my science fiction story. 

I went to my library, and I checked out every book I could on engines and mechanics. Low and behold it only took me a few chapters to understand an internal combustion engine. This discovery led me to be interested in physics and how the world works. All of a sudden, I’ve fallen down the scientific rabbit hole and become obsessed with theoretical physics and how it can be used to write plausible science fiction. 

The point I’m trying to make is that we need to be careful who we allow to influence us both in writing and in our lives. The reason I give so much credit to Brandon Sanderson as my inspiration and source of encouragement, is because his reputation holds up. My science teacher didn’t have any accomplishments that should have made me think twice about how I learned. He wasn’t a PhD or a leader in his field of study? He didn’t have any teaching awards or books. He was simply a school teacher who had never left the town he was born in. While there’s nothing wrong with that, I shouldn’t have allowed him to have so much power over my education. Because his education was nothing that I wanted to achieve. 

Now when my biggest literary influence says or does something, I listen. But even then, we should be careful. I’ve never met Brandon Sanderson, though I truly hope one day I will, I have met another “hero” of mine before. I once met a horse trainer that I was obsessed with during my time ranching. 

When he came to my town to do a horse training clinic, I immediately bought tickets. Unfortunately it’s true when they say, never meet your heroes. He allowed questions from the audience and I asked one that apparently stumped him. Instead of saying he didn’t know or would have to think on that question, he shamed me in front of the whole audience and didn’t see a point to my question. It hurt. But I didn’t let it stop me from pursuing my dreams. I continued to train horses and even discovered the answer to my own question several months later. 

Our heroes are not superhuman, they are regular people who have done regular things and just gotten greater acknowledgement for them. One thing I hope you start to do is decide to make yourself your own hero. I strive to impress my younger self every hour of every day. I work hard to gain ground and improve my writing so that maybe that little girl who carried a notebook with her everywhere, will be proud of who she’s become. 

Have you talked with your younger self recently? Would they be proud of how far you’ve come? I suggest writing 2 letters. One from your younger self to your current self. And the second from your current self to your younger self in reply. Share your achievements, even the smallest ones. Ask what you wish you’d done and what you hope you’ll do. I would love to hear your letters, if you feel comfortable, share them with me at darbyrand97@gmail.com 

Knowing where you came from and what you’ve become are great stepping stones to help you discover where you would like to go. Setting goals are great to help you maintain your momentum. We were not created to remain stagnant. Growth is a wonderful journey, don’t let your literary influences hinder you. Only allow them to inspire you. Do this, and watch your writing bloom.

NO AI was used in the writing of this blog post.