Gonzo Journalism and Other Thoughts

In these times, as an 18 year old, unemployed, college-hunting creative writer with great reviews from the audiences I have presented my work to, I sit and think to myself on occasion that perhaps I'm not living like I feel I should be. Sure, I can spin quite a tale and word it beautifully, but honestly, I believe simply writing fiction novels isn't enough to support the life I want. Now I'm not complaining about the life I have right now. Not by a long shot. I've got a loving family and a girlfriend I wouldn't trade for anything. The only thing is, sometimes I get that same feeling I'm sure most fiction writers get. That little bothersome inkling in the back of their minds that maybe, just maybe... the story they're three chapters away from finishing has been written before. The same stale old story has been told before in a slightly different format. Now to some, that wouldn't be much of an issue. 'My story isn't exactly the same,' they'd think. But no, with me, that kind of thing is a real tragedy. I'm the type of person who has to have a great original story, and anything previously written just makes me feel uninspired. Like I'm just writing another version of someone else's fantastic voyage. As a writer, I'm alright if I do say so myself. But as a writer of the truth, the real events and issues in the world, I feel the need to become more. I must branch out and take my talents to a venue that will actually make me a decent living. At least until my novels make me millions. Ha ha.

At the present time, I have only one influence. Hunter S. Thompson. The whole story of how this all came about is a short one. My friend got me to watch the film adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and I loved it to say the least. After watching it a couple more times, I became very interested in Thompson and began to read up on him and study his works. What interested me almost as much as the man himself was the style of his writing. Gonzo Journalism seemed like my kind of ticket. I've unknowingly written like that before. Not only Gonzo Journalism, but also stream of consciousness. Another writing style I've used before without knowing. These two methods, I believe, are the most natural occurring forms of communication between one person and a piece of paper addressed to millions. Add a little creative talent and I think the industry is in for a new loose cannon to breech the horizon.

I've always been a creative type. Mostly interested in writing early in my life. Later, I evolved into a screenwriter and tried a bit of clay animation. In more recent times, I've been trying all fields of media. Everything from video game making and photography to playwriting and fiction novels. I've shown the books I've been writing for the past few months to friends and family alike and I've gotten all five-star reviews and not out of kindness, mind you. I'm also not much a fan of editing and especially not of editors. The good people wrote their stories the way they wanted the public to read them. I'm also not good with bugs and needles. The needles I'm getting better with though. Bugs just frighten me to no end. You never really know when they're going to jump or bite or shoot some kind of acid at you. On a lighter note, there are a few things I do like. Like snakes. And bad jokes. Love bad jokes. The kind that are just so corny you have to laugh. One of my favorites goes: "Two men are walking down the street. One walks into a bar. The other one ducked." Simple things amuse simple minds I guess. I also like philosophy and existential talk. And aliens and ghosts and stuff. Either way, I'm generally a well-rounded guy and I'll write about pretty much anything I find interesting. I find that usually what I find interesting also interests the general public.

Behind every great man is an even greater woman. This is especially true in my case. Why, if it weren't for Amanda, I wouldn't have gotten back into writing. She inspires me to strive for a better life. A better career. All so that I may share it with her. The love of my life. Incomparable to any other living soul out there. With all the fish in the sea, this one is the the only one I'd risk drowning for. In the beginning, we were enemies. Bitter. She asked me to do things for her I knew would cause trouble. As time went on, however, we grew on each other. We began talking more and feelings began to develop. We grew closer and soon enough, fell in love. Of course, things were bumpy in the initial few days, but on the bright side, we got to see each other nearly every day. I won't lie, we both had our shares of immature times that led to a few break-ups, but ultimately, we ended up together for good. And we still are. The only major complication is our age difference. I'm nearly 19 and she's nearly 16. It's a horrible legal mess, I know, but love knows no age.