Social media is a great place to build a platform—especially that of writing—and it is no surprise that many people use it as a place to branch out and share their creativity to the online world. But that begs the question: how does this translate into being an author? Today, the TAOT Ambassadors used the tools of social media to scout a young writer with the intention of getting their insights on what it's like to be an author. In this article, writers will learn about the struggles and motivations a fellow online writer might have, as well as learn about their inspirations and how having a community might help in an author's writing journey. In a sea full of writers, the TAOT Ambassadors found themselves connecting to a Twitter writer named Juno.
Two TAOT Ambassadors—Taylor and Cai—were lucky enough to have a chance in interviewing Juno about their troubles, motivations and inspirations as a fellow writer. Overall, Juno’s answers throughout the interview involved their experiences with writer's block and their feelings as a writer, as well as their inspirations when it comes to gaining ideas and where it all began.
First, let writers explore the inspirations that Juno has as a fellow writer themselves, giving an inkling of what it looks like in their writing journey.
Everyone knows that every journey has a beginning, and pursuing the journey of a writer is no different—just like Juno’s very own writing journey. Juno was asked about what inspired them to start their writing journey, to which Juno replied that they have been into writing since elementary school at a young age of 10. They also stated how they favored English class in school and that they also have an ability to immerse themself in fictional worlds. Juno further elaborates that as they grew up, their knowledge and vocabulary expanded, which are tools that they utilize to write their own stories.
Fellow writers know that inspiration comes in many different forms and in many processes, and it evolves over time as one grows their skills and potential. Juno was asked about how they usually get ideas when writing, with Juno answering that they don’t really know where they get their ideas, stating that, somehow, they just happen to “come up”. Juno adds that there are times where either something randomly sparks up in their mind, or if they come across a TikTok video that is funny, sad or compelling. They further add another source of their inspiration by stating that they talk with their friends all the while “brain rotting” with them, which then builds up ideas until it is enough to start writing. Cai later gave their brief thoughts, saying, in non-verbatim, that brain rotting is the best way to get ideas.
Everyone has some sort of “main source of inspiration” when it comes to cultivating their paths, correct? Then Juno is, of course, just like that, too. This then gives writers a chance to know more about what Juno’s main source of inspiration would be. They answered that the series “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling is the only piece of fiction that fully immersed them into daydreaming about fictional worlds, and they elaborated how Harry Potter made them dream about going to Hogwarts and getting sorted into the different houses, then going to hogsmeade and more. Juno also added that aside from Harry Potter, their friends are also their main source of inspiration, explaining that one of their close friends is a writer, who Juno admired a lot, and that “brain rotting” with that friend of theirs is one of Juno’s favorite parts about writing.
Now that all of Juno’s inspirations have been tackled, it is time for writers to explore their troubles as a fellow writer—the obstacles that block their path in their journey, and the challenges they encounter.
Writers of all ages naturally have troubles just as they have blessings in their journey to the world of writing. One of the questions asked Juno about the general troubles they have as a writer, to which Juno answers this with, in verbatim, "I'm good (for the most part) at being able to get an idea for what major plot points I want to happen next, but often struggle to connect point A to point B. (...) During the pandemic, I socialized less (in real life) so I have a really hard time writing first-meeting conversations (the general "sparking up a friendship/relationship" process)".
Meanwhile, another question from the interview leans more on asking about exhaustion—if Juno ever felt exhausted with writing and felt like wanting to quit. There are times where writers would feel as if what they are doing right now is not enough, and exhaustion can definitely take over. However, Juno has a different mindset to that, as they answer with, quote unquote, "Writing has always been a hobby of mine. (...) I never feel obligated to have to write. It does definitely suck when you tell friends about an upcoming fic/story then you hit a slump but [for the most part,] I don't have an issue stepping back from writing and focusing on something else [for a while]. Though I will say, originality and avoiding cliches is definitely a struggle." Read that right, writers? Never be obliged to have to write, because writing is an artform, not a requirement nor an assignment.
Of course, despite all of that, no matter how smooth-sailing one’s writing course is, there will always be something that will block you. And for every writer, it will be their all too familiar arch-nemesis—writer’s block. Juno was asked on how they cope with writer’s block, which Juno answers, in verbatim, "Just in general, speaking my thoughts has always been an issue so it's always a challenge for me to find the right words. (...) Writer's block is something I've very very familiar with. Honestly, because I'm only a recreational author, I don't mind just throwing it into a pile of WIPs and starting something else- eventually I get through a whole story without writer's block. In terms of actually overcoming writer's block, the easiest method for me is talking to someone and asking what they think of the concept or what they think should happen next and work from there." This answer is quite relatable to the ambassadors, with Cai empathizing on Juno's problem in finding the right words, having experienced that themselves.
With the troubles now fully out in the open, one can wonder now as to what motivates Juno in their writing journey. All writers have motivations, whether small or big, and Juno has it, too.
A question tackles Juno's motivations as a writer, with it asking Juno about any writing communities they are a part of, and if said writing communities ever motivated them, or if they would like to join one. Writing communities are one of the many motivational factors in every writers’ journey, after all. Juno’s insights on this would be, quote unquote, "I don't think I've ever joined a writer-specific group/server/community etc. but my middle school friends used to proofread my short stories. Same with online friends in high school and even now!” They also added how brainstorming, proofreading and collabing makes the writing process a lot more enjoyable, and it even serves as their cure for writer’s block. Juno also said that while they are open to joining a writing community to boost their motivations, factors like the overall atmosphere or vibes, the kind of people involved, the kind of stories included and the age group can affect their activity in writing communities.
Today, Juno gave us a brief look into what it's like to be a young author. They discussed their inspirations and how different stories can help immerse you into a new world, as well as their struggles and how sometimes, writing can be a hard challenge to overcome. But with a little bit of perseverance and a small bit of support, it can help get writers back on track, just like how Juno did. And writers, before you go, here are some words of encouragement from one young writer to the next, quoted from the interviewee Juno themselves; “Just like with any other hobby/interest/etc, the most important thing is self discovery. Take the time to test around with different genres but go for whatever you enjoy most. Also, I highly recommend being open to getting a third opinion and accepting constructive criticism. Learning and adapting is an amazing way to grow as a person and your work will reflect that."
If you would like to check out some of Juno’s work, you can find them on twitter @Juno_owo_.
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