From the time I was very young, immersed in the worlds of Star Trek and Star Wars, I’ve always been extremely fascinated by the idea of extraterrestrial life—worlds, far away from Earth, every bit as beautiful and messy as our own. I devoured every episode, movie, and novel. I loved daydreaming, making up stories involving the characters of each series or film. And might I add my imagination was vivid, even then? It always has been.
If you’ve read my books, you can probably see where this blog post is headed. Where did Ash and friends come from? How did Th’rann and Zawhe evolve into living, thriving, fantastical communities of their own? Let’s cross the bridge from A to Z.
Somewhere along the way, I can’t say exactly when, I started to come up with my own characters and scenarios, still within the confines of the universes I knew. My characters were confronted with the Borg or befriended by an Ewok. Silly, right? Not really, not for someone who creates stories and scenarios in their mind. It was all make-believe, and my imagination was a cinematic masterpiece of storytelling.
It wasn’t until I was midway through my twenties when the worlds I imagined became mine, not a creation of someone else, and I decided to start trying to write some of it down. Nothing ever panned out. I never completed anything, just ideas and situations, wayward beginnings of chapters that never found any true direction.
Then, years down the road, I came across these words: write what you know.
Okay, so what do I know? I know west Texas. I know the people of west Texas and the way they live and think, and their general state of existence. I know the atmosphere of west Texas. Before this point, Ash was just an idea, partially formed, uncomplicated, one-dimensional. But once I settled into the concept of writing what I know, he became something more, as did the characters surrounding him. They became complicated personalities with reasons for being and motives for the choices they make, many-layered entities with strengths and faults just like the rest of us.
Adding the stories I used to make up to the idea of writing what I know, a western meets space opera story began to take shape.
I started writing, yet again, thinking once again it wouldn’t go anywhere, that the words would peter out into oblivion…except they didn’t. The words, and the story, and the characters became more and more, continued to flow and evolve and, surprisingly, stick around and evolve toward the fantasy aspect I don’t know, but created instead.
This is what I’d been looking for, waiting for, hoping for. A dream turned reality.
Even today, Ash’s story continues to flow. The words continue to pour like water from a faucet. Book three is written. Book four is written. Both are in the editing phase while book five is three-fourths of the way complete. And there’s more to come.
At one point I asked myself what I wanted. The answer, at the time, seemed an impossible, intangible thing. It took years for me to finally cross the bridge to get to where I am now. Step by step, inch by inch, I’ve made ground toward what I thought was impossible, and I know I still have more ground to cover. But guess what? The impossible is possible.
Find your bridge, friends, with whatever it is you desire at the other end. Inch your way across it, at your own pace, toward what you want. I promise, you won’t be disappointed when you get to the other side. Then, find another bridge and keep going.
As an aside thought to writing what I know, I’ll leave you with photos of my visit to Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, years ago. In Old Souls, book one of Ash’s story, an epic battle takes place at this location. It’s pretty cool that I was there, breathing the air, soaking up the atmosphere, and then translating it into an integral scene in my future novel. Again, I wrote what I know. So check those photos out below.
The reception of book two in Ash’s story has been fantastic, and I want to thank those who choose to add him to your reading lists. I’ve had messages flailing, laughing, and crying at different scenes as friends and family work their way through The Nothing Place, and each one makes me absolutely giddy. I feel every emotion you do throughout his story, many times over through the different phases of polishing a novel and getting it published. What a rollercoaster ride, huh?
If you’ve enjoyed the work of an independent author, the best path toward helping them is to leave a review on all books on Amazon and/or Goodreads. The more reviews a book has, the more the algorithms will help others see the book on either website. Again, thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
Happy reading, my friends! Love and light!
L.A. Goodman
Old Souls, an Ash Bennett story, book 1
The Nothing Place, an Ash Bennett story, book 2
I remember a time when you and I would write Star Trek fan fiction together. You’d write a scene, then I would and back to you. Back and forth, back and forth til we created our own story. Lol! I wish one of us had that spiral we used. I vividly remember being antsy, waiting to read what you had written so that I could add to it! I also remember reading your journals filled with poetry and how imaginative you were. I guess all I am saying is that I can attest to the world that this universe of Ash and friends has been screaming to come out your whole life. Even back when we wrote together! You’ve always had him lurking and waiting for the right moment! This is it! This is that moment! And I am not afraid to admit that I am one of the flailing friends and family fangirling over your books! I own it! So proud of you!
I remember that! We had such fun being creative together, didn’t we? I have no idea what happened to the Trek fan fic notebook, but I still have the journals I wrote poetry in all those years ago. Maybe someday I’ll edit and rework them, write more, and publish a book of poetry!
Although it took me far too long, I finally found my path, and this does feel like a MOMENT™. I’m so thankful to call you both family and friend. Your excitement and encouragement means the world to me. It’s food for both my creative heart and my soul. So much love directed your way.