Ray Bradbury on becoming a writer

I saw a youtube video with Ray Bradbury discussing the beginning of his writing career. He finally discovered that he was a true writer, when he wrote this story called "The Lake", which was a metaphor for something he experienced in his life. He went on to say that everything he writes is a metaphor for his life. When he wrote this story at age 22, he wept, because he realized he had written something beautiful,and that he was a true writer because he wrote for himself.

Gee... I have always written for myself, and the best things I write are metaphors of my inner life too.

I've been too insecure to call myself a writer, but Mr. Bradbury once again inspires me. At first I wanted to write stories that moved others the way his stories had moved me, and now I find validation.

Sometimes life brings you little hidden treasures.

The Other Brain

Writing a short story with another person gives one an opportunity to understand how another person thinks. It's amazing. It's like having a second head on your body, a whole new well of information and ideas you can draw from and bounce ideas off of. Writing collaboratively has allowed me not only to learn from critiquing someone else's work, it has also enchanced my own analytical abilities when I am asked to defend my position. Through debate and discussion, I have come out on the other side a wiser and much more humble writer. I love it, love it, love it! What an opportunity to grow and learn.