Nayab asked Michael J. Sullivan:

When did you realize that you wanted to express your creativity and knowledge through writing? Was it encouraged by others? What creative expressions (e.g. art, dance, media, music) have you tried in the past, present or future to express your creativity through?

Michael J. Sullivan Hey Nayab...I've wanted to write books ever since I was a young kid - 9 or 10. I would type up stories, make my own covers, and then use yarn to hold he pages together.

I didn't think that I would ever be able to do anything about that dream, because my grammar was terrible...and this was long before word processors to help with things like spelling. I kid you not, one of my stories I wrote in high school had evil spelled wrong...and it's only 4 letters!!

I've had a lot of encouragement from my wife, especially. A few friends have also been enthusiastic readers of my early work - so that got me to write more - but none of that stuff was related to thinking about a career in writing. I don't think my mom or brother really understand "the whole writing gig." I think my mom still is wondering when I'm going to get a "real job." ;-)

As far as other creative expressions. After high school I pursued art rather than writing. I won a scholarship to Center for Creative Studies - a well respected art school in Detroit. It wasn't for me...to much "structure" on something I did for fun. So I got a job at an agency doing artwork for them, and later started my own advertising agency. This was where I spent most of my "adult working years."

At some point, I decided I wanted to give the whole "writing thing" a try again...but only on the condition I wouldn't publish - as I had spent 10 depressing years reading rejections. It was my wife who took up "that side" of the business, and if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be published today. Thanks for asking!

flag