Ask the Author: Gabriel Blake
Answered Questions (5)
Gabriel Blake
Hi there, Tim.
Thank you for your question.
I was around ten-years-old. My mother was an avid reader back then. Among her large collection of books by Danielle Steel, Ian Fleming, Virginia Andrews, James Herbert, Stephen King, and many others, was a novel called 'Salem's Lot. At that tender age, I'd never heard of Stephen King. I did, however, have an interest in vampires from the Christopher Lee Hammer House of Horror films, and the old classics starring Bela Lugosi. I also enjoyed any horror film starring Vincent Price. Looking back, I'm surprised I was allowed to watch these at such a young age.
But 'Salem's Lot kicked it all off for me. My first adult fiction novel and I was hooked. The pictures of the story I formed in my head blew me away. It came alive in my mind, and I loved how that felt. My father then informed me there was a miniseries, which eventually, we watched together. But I was so let down. The version I had created in my mind of the book was so much better. There was also a character and pivotal scene that I loved in the book that didn't even make the cut for the miniseries. Such a disappointment.
After 'Salem's Lot, my mother recommended Flowers in the Attic, and together, those two fantastic books planted the seed for me to one day write my own stories. What those authors could do with words thrilled me. The way they could bring people to life and create something so remarkable left me astounded.
My epiphany moment was a long time ago, but now, here I am, stringing sentences together on pages to write my own stories. I had many dreams a young boy, but writing was the only one that never faded.
Thank you for your question.
I was around ten-years-old. My mother was an avid reader back then. Among her large collection of books by Danielle Steel, Ian Fleming, Virginia Andrews, James Herbert, Stephen King, and many others, was a novel called 'Salem's Lot. At that tender age, I'd never heard of Stephen King. I did, however, have an interest in vampires from the Christopher Lee Hammer House of Horror films, and the old classics starring Bela Lugosi. I also enjoyed any horror film starring Vincent Price. Looking back, I'm surprised I was allowed to watch these at such a young age.
But 'Salem's Lot kicked it all off for me. My first adult fiction novel and I was hooked. The pictures of the story I formed in my head blew me away. It came alive in my mind, and I loved how that felt. My father then informed me there was a miniseries, which eventually, we watched together. But I was so let down. The version I had created in my mind of the book was so much better. There was also a character and pivotal scene that I loved in the book that didn't even make the cut for the miniseries. Such a disappointment.
After 'Salem's Lot, my mother recommended Flowers in the Attic, and together, those two fantastic books planted the seed for me to one day write my own stories. What those authors could do with words thrilled me. The way they could bring people to life and create something so remarkable left me astounded.
My epiphany moment was a long time ago, but now, here I am, stringing sentences together on pages to write my own stories. I had many dreams a young boy, but writing was the only one that never faded.
Gabriel Blake
For me, writer's block was life. Sometimes we don't get to choose our path. Perhaps I hadn't had enough life experience to become a writer at an earlier stage. It could be about timing. Hopefully, it isn't something I will come across in my career.
Gabriel Blake
I'd say writing has helped me so much on a personal level. Using the creative part of my mind has helped keep my darkness at bay, and I may have even tapped into to it to help my writing. When I receive a fantastic review, it's so rewarding and overwhelming.
Gabriel Blake
I could go on and on with advice, but I would suggest the obvious: don't keep thinking about writing, write, and keep on writing. Then edit your work, cut out what isn't relevant to taking the story forward in any way. You will have more ideas as you write the story, and likely put those in. Then go back and edit again, and again, and again, and again. Nobody said it was easy, but don't ever give up.
Gabriel Blake
My inspiration started a very long time ago. I was about ten-years-old when I read my first adult fiction novel: Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot. What that story did for me was unbelievable. To see how someone could create something with words that I could picture in my head filled me with a desire to do the same. I went on to read Virginia Andrews, Flowers in the Attic, and that sealed the deal for what I wanted to do with my life. Unfortunately, life had other ideas and it took longer to reach my goal. A lot longer. Of all the dreams and wants I had as a young boy, writing was the only one that never faded.
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How do you feel about extending it past writing into life? ...more
May 20, 2019 07:45AM · flag