The Journey Begins with a Memory

Storytelling has been my refuge and passion since before I held a pen.

I can even vividly recall when I knew storytelling would be my life's calling. It all started when I was around four—with one of my most cherished memories from my childhood.

Before I was born, my grandfather moved in with my parents, though the reasons behind his move remained a mystery—the reason changed every time I asked and, in the end, was irrelevant. What's clear and important, however, is that once I was born, he quickly became my favorite person.

One of my earliest and fondest memories is from when I was four years old. My grandfather and I would run around the house, spinning elaborate tales of a grand adventure.

The one I remember to this day is the adventure we created about us going to China to see panda bears. Our imaginative story was so intricate that it seeped into my dreams, making me believe we had truly gone on that adventure. I eagerly shared our tale with anyone who would listen, and he was always there to guide and expand our story with me.

This early experience was more than just a fun game; it was the foundation of my love for storytelling.

My grandfather was an avid reader. Every day, he would sit in his favorite chair, engrossed in a book. For years, I would go on his weekly bookstore runs where he would buy five to fifteen books and tell me why he was getting them and what drew him to them. He read everything, from fantasy to non-fiction history, from war novels to romance.

His passion for stories was infectious, and he fostered a deep love for reading in me. We spent countless hours discussing books and sharing ideas, making each day a new adventure in creativity.

When my grandfather passed away, I was thirteen and had just started high school. Losing him was losing my confidant and guide. The person who had been integral to my creative journey. His passing marked a challenging transition. For years after, I felt unable to share my writing, it did not feel meaningful if he wasn't going to be able to read it.

However, as I got old and one of my siblings had children, I started telling stories again. I began to weave the tales for them that he had once done for me. His influence became a guiding light in not only my life, but theirs. Then, one of my nephews started helping tell the stories, and I started writing again.

When I did manage to really focus on writing on crafting a story, I always found myself thinking back to the time when I was able to think about my grandfather without becoming overwhelmed by my emotions. When I finally, well over a year after his passing, I went through his boxed-up items. His entire life had packed into a few boxes I'd placed in a closet.

The man I had watched read new books every few days and only had five to pack up. Every time I think of that, I remember how he had once told me he only kept the books he thought he'd read again. He told me that they were particularly great stories, not over complex. The author didn't even need to be a 'great writer', or the book didn't need to be deemed a 'classic'. They were the ones that he could tell the author put their heart into. Ones he could tell took years to write. Ones he knew would have taken an emotional toll to write and, thus, deserved to be read again and again.

Until that day, I hadn't realized it was such a small number. Every time I remember that, it keeps me writing. I know that my writing isn't the greatest that my stories may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I know I will write one worthy of keeping. While it might not be the book I'm about to publish, since this is just the start of my career, I know that one day I will publish one that would have sat on his shelf, worthy of another read.

The Legacy of Storytelling

So, to summarize—this early connection to storytelling and literature laid the groundwork for my writing career. His influence taught me the power of stories and the importance of nurturing creativity and sharing it with the younger generations of our families.

As I embark on this self-publishing journey, I'm driven by the same passion he instilled in me, hoping to create stories that resonate with readers as much as the ones we created together still resonate with me.

Join the Conversation!

I'd love to hear from you! What early experiences or people shaped your creative passions? Please share your stories or thoughts in the comments below, and let's connect.

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Thank you for being a part of this adventure. Until next time, keep nurturing your creativity and never stop dreaming big.

Warm Regards,

AJ Eddy