Monday, December 23, 2013

The conception of TWIG

      Feb. the 2nd in Nashville, TN I will be auditioning for the Voice.  I have been in love with music since I was very small and my dad always had me in a studio doing his recordings.  I fell in love with what music could do.  I have always had a heart for others and music is not limited to one type of person.  It is a universal medicine that can instantly change the atmosphere of a room.  So when February arrives and I stand in front of the producers and sing, it will be an expected journey.  I will be excited and nervous of course, but it is something I sought after for a while. 

     Writing on the other hand, at least writing books, was completely unexpected.  I never thought about doing it, and it never once crossed my mind as something I'd be good at or would enjoy.  Honestly it was a simple thought, one that wasn't miraculous or brilliant, that drove me to write.  I thought out loud one day, 'Hey, there should be a book about a stick that falls out of his family tree.'  I know, just a simple play on words that a child could have thought up, and at first that's all that I made of it.  Something strange happened though and I'll never understand why.  As I was working as a forklift driver in Charlotte, NC I found myself thinking about this silly little stick.  Something about it just would not go away.

     As I pushed it to the back of my mind several more times, it always reemerged.  I only had the one thought, not a complete story and I belittled the idea by saying it was silly.  That is until me and my wife went to an adoption agency.  She was unable to carry a child for me and adoption seemed like the perfect fit.  It was in that office, discussing the number of children that needed a family, that my heart broke for those children.  Kids of adoption are completely helpless in the situation and it's not their fault.  It was then that I knew that that silly little stick that I couldn't forget about was more than a mere idea, but something that embodied the condition in which these children were living in. 

     Unsure of how to even start the story I spoke with my wife and the engines started turning.  The story of Twig was written in less than a day, but I had sat on the idea for 3 years before it was written.  I have since fallen in love with writing and now feel like I have just one more tool to reach people.  I learned that sometimes you don't have to have the best idea in the world.  You just have to have the ability to follow through with what your vision is.  I hope that in doing so myself that someone will find comfort in this simple, but sweet story of a Twig that only wants what we all should never be without, a family.  I also hope that if you're reading this, that you will never short yourself in life because you feel what you are doing is insignificant.  Because everything matters to someone, and I hope just as I have ever so  un-expectantly done, that you find what matters to you.

7 comments:

  1. Hey Jamie. I came here by recommendation of one Brandon Axe, of whom I'm feeling particularly grateful right now... long story, don't ask.
    Several things here stood out to me. You're on the right track. I've heard R A Salvatore (author) say, "If you can quit writing, do it."
    Point is, the Twig idea pursued you, not letting you go. Even when you tried to quit it. You were right to give it life.
    Also, I agree with your point down at the bottom. Whether your idea / story is great or good or ok or absolute balls, one thing's for sure - it's your story. And it's your responsibility to tell it. Because no one can tell your story better than you can.
    Welcome to the blogosphere. Good luck on the Voice.
    David

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    1. Thank you David. We both share a level of gratitude to Brandon. He is embarking on a collaborative effort with me that you should see soon. Congrats on your endeavors and thanks, I hope to do well in February.

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  2. That is so cool. I wish you well on The Voice.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Thanks Janie, nervous anticipation, but I excited to say the least.

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  3. Welcome to the blogging world!
    Keep on writing and best of luck with The Voice ;)

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    1. Thanks S.K. Need all the luck I can get on this one.

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