I began writing screenplays; mostly historical humorous fiction, but also in the "woman in peril" genre. None were purchased or optioned, so I began writing travel articles, as I enjoy both activities. When a couple of them were published, I then wrote a few short stories, which were also published. From there 20-30K-word novellas, and finally, in May, I self-published my first 100K-word novel of Humorous Historic Fiction- "Columbus' Unsung Voyages", which is available as an ebook on Kindle, and will soon be available on this site as well.

I have no real fans, as my personality and approach to creativity, (refusing to produce "trendy" works...which is what sells), has kept me busy, but less than succe$$ful as an artist and/or writer. But if you think about it, no one really asked you to write the story you wrote, so one's incentive/reward must come from within. (?)

I am about 25K words into the sequel to my Columbus story.

Michio Kaku - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Most websites for writers advise you to constantly read the works of others who write in the same genre. I think that's a total waste of time; when you could be writing and learning from your mistakes instead.

Right now, they're building a school nearby, and each time the front loader operator puts his piece of equipment in reverse, the
"Look out everybody! I'm backing up!" buzzer usually brings my sleeping to an abrupt end. Once out of bed, I look forward to
one inch, (1/3 of a cup), of Italian Roast coffee, which usually keeps me wired for at least the first 20 or so pages on my current
book sequel writing project.

Writing and searching for applicable ideas and scenarios for my story. To relieve eye strain and muscle spasms, I exercise and shoot pool, as I was once pretty good with a cue.

After staring at this computer screen for 10-11 hours a day, I actually prefer to read paperbacks, as they offer me a more one-on-one experience...plus, having an art background, I like to look at well thought out book covers;which sometimes give me ideas to steal from others.

First article I ever wrote, was, for being in the ninth grade at the time, a kinda' funny story about a teenage girl who just loved to
listen to the radio. (This was the same time I came in second in a school poster design contest to get students to practice good dental health. My poster was a drawing of a coal train,(I was born and raised in WV), loaded with, instead of coal, toothbrushes and paste. And the slogan I used, was...(wait for it), "Train With These For Good Teeth!"

First story, was about two brothers on opposite sides during the Civil War. I was probably in High School at the time.

I make my own, which are not trendy, like those that sell.

After getting wired on coffee, I call up the preliminary notes/outline/ of the subject/event that inspired me to write the story.
Then I make a time sequence of events that are to take place, plus a general idea as to how the story will end.
Then I examine and decide which character/s would be the best/most relevant to be in the scenario or sequel of events.
Then I think of and write down what I hope will be the "hook", or opening lines that will hopefully make the reader anxious to continue reading.
Then run with it. (My Columbus novel began in 1980, when I attended a screenwriting seminar, and for the next 30 or so years,
and 20+ rejection notices, I was inspired by the invention of ebooks, to make it a novel instead of a script.)

First story that had an impact on me, was Rudyard Kipling's Riki Tiki Tavi (story about a fight to the death between mongoose and cobra.) I think I was most impressed by Kipling's ability to describe two perspectives at the same time...a welcome change from McGuffie's Reader.