I would like to start my first posting with the beginning of my journey into the world of writing. Below is excerpt of the thoughts that ran through my head the first time I decided to write a novel:

Sitting in front of this blank page, my mind suddenly feels empty. The thoughts and brilliant ideas that birthed within me have all but vanished. My eyes are drawn to the blinking cursor. Remaining ever so consistent, it is there one moment then gone the next. Its fleeting appearance eagerly awaits my directing hands. Alas my fingers float over the keyboard. They hover there just above the familiar letters without movement as though frozen in place.

Instantaneously my mind is filled with thoughts of those before me. Did Shakespeare hesitate so with a quill in his hand? How did he ever manage to capture our hearts and then stop their beating? Contemplations of a thousand great authors flash through my head. How did they do it? This question burns in the depths of my being.

Finally, I discover its answer. There is one profound consistency among them. They are all telling a story. However, none of these famous writers are merely demonstrating a bland retelling of events. No, all of their works contain one critical element, passion. Without this, their words would be all but meaningless, left to fade away on some forgotten page.

It is my turn now. Finally my hands are ready to express the burning fire within my soul. I pray only that as your minds absorb this tale, your hearts experience a glimpse of the raw emotion contained therein. This passion is not one that can be stately in an obvious manner. No, instead you must slowly embark on the journey alongside me. You must soak in the fear, anger, sadness, and joy. Beware though, if you follow this path merely to seek an end, you shall meet only disappointment. After all, the beginning and end of any story is simply a pinpoint in time. Therefore if an end is what you desire, you are truly missing the importance of the tale and the key to life. It is all about the journey.