Trying to be a Writer

When I first went to Second City in Chicago we were told to start thinking of ourselves as writers. I did and it was the first step for a journey towards a dream I have about being a writer. I have mostly been doing comedy writing for the last 2-3 years. I enjoy it and it gets me out of the house to see my friends and get things going in my head. I was once part of a duo which created a season of a web series called Conflict Mallet and when that fell through I wasn't sure if any of this writing stuff was really meant for me in the first place. But when I hit Second City I was again steered in that web series type direction again. There is something in my future that will somehow be connected to that, there has to be something. It's almost as though something or someone is guiding me down a certain path.

I wasn't always sure of what I wanted to write. The origins of my desire to write come first and foremost from two of my favorite authors; Stephen King and Philip K. Dick. From reading many of their books I developed a sense that I wanted to be like either of them. I did finally hit the point where I wanted to see different stories published and I spent hours on the internet looking for books that would meet my expectations. I realized that what I really needed to do to was to write those ideas, thoughts, and desires myself.

I have worlds and universes in my head and it's time for me to seriously work on my hopes and dreams in those places. Some authors have such an expansive universe that I'm left in awe in what one person can imagine and write down. I need to get my ideas out like that. I'm not saying that I am going to rival a work from somebody like George RR Martin or Anne Rice but I have to get going on everything that has inspired me for so long and make my contributions to the world.

Now the Second City stuff, the comedy, that comes easily to me. I work well with the people that I have been writing with and I enjoy it a lot. At first I thought if ever there was an opportunity to do anything with them it would have to be something funny. Well funny would work but one of the most influential people to me within the past year or so has been Rod Serling. Rod Serling was the creator of the Twilight Zone and narrator and writer of many episodes. I realized that if I were to ever work on a project that was funny or not, all I would have to do is write to the best of my ability as Rod Serling did for every episode of the Twilight Zone he wrote. Rod Serling wrote what he wanted and he stood by it. He pushed for what he wanted and that's what got the Twilight Zone going. He listened to his heart and never gave up and he influenced thousands and quite possibly millions with his stories. Writing for TV or the big screen is so much more than flashing lights or nudity or anything else that sells tickets; you have a chance to better humanity. If ever the people I work with now do anything I believe we have the ability to do just that.

This time in my life is so vastly different than any other time. I have the ability to set my future now for failure or success. The only problem I have is not being able to concentrate on one thing right now. I keep doing different things. I get inspired reading a book to begin a novel and I get inspired to strive towards TV or movies anytime I see an episode of the Twilight Zone or any other great show. I think that's where I'll make my stand. Have one foot in my own projects being centralized around novels and the other foot working on comedy writing that is not only funny but the potential for a deeper meaning.

The most important thing for me in this period has to be to get all my thoughts written down. That is really the only thing I can worry about. If I do ever get a book published or get to work with my friends on a show or something that can just be the icing on the cake. I'll hope for the best and write whatever my heart tells me to. Maybe one day I can say that I left a positive impact on humanity by either enticing people with serious stories or by making people laugh, only time will tell.

-If you are looking for a great episode of the Twilight Zone check out episode 102: The Changing of the Guard. Quite possibly one of the best episodes of a TV show I've ever seen.