Chapter 1: The Spark of Inspiration

As I frolic through fields of flowers and gaze at the brilliant blue sky, an idea strikes me: I could be a writer. Listening to a street musician play his violin while my thoughts ebb and flow like the ocean waves, I realize I yearn to craft stories.

My experience writing on Medium has been rewarding, offering countless insights, especially with the help of tools like Grammarly! Jokes aside, I'm truly discovering the kind of writer I aspire to be, where my inspiration stems from, and what types of writing I enjoy.

In my childhood, I was convinced I would be a celebrated author, penning masterpieces akin to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. I was captivated by Roald Dahl's storytelling and dreamed of achieving similar brilliance. But as life unfolded, my creativity was stifled. Now, however, I feel my artistic spirit returning as I immerse myself in writing.

I've resolved to write a book. This week, I brainstormed several quirky ideas and even drafted a prologue for my upcoming tale, "Maria Magdalene's Pilgrimage to Mars."

Maria Magdalene is an intriguingly ordinary young woman of twenty-three. Her hair falls to a standard length, her features are unremarkable yet symmetrical, and her eyes have the typical shape. Although she has a naturally high-pitched voice, she considers herself just another average person—nothing wrong with that.

While Maria possesses a certain intelligence, she grapples with self-awareness, often succumbing to negative thoughts and an overactive imagination. She acknowledges this addiction, but only confesses it to herself. Her mind can be both whimsically delusional and anxiously paranoid. She murmurs "The anxiety" to herself while nervously tapping her foot and chewing on her nails. Her vivid imagination serves as an escape from reality, a truth she isn't ready to share with anyone just yet.

However, Maria has peculiar habits that make her feel unique. She loves curating playlists for specific moments in her life, such as songs that capture her emotions while making scrambled eggs on a Tuesday morning. She even has a playlist for sleepless Friday nights and another designed to evoke sadness on sunny afternoons. My favorite is the one for those mornings when roosters crow too loudly.

Some may see her quirks as frivolous—like her neighbor, Guinea Trudle, who lives below her. Guinea, in Maria's eyes, embodies everything she envies. The phrase "comparison is the thief of joy" rings true for Maria, especially when she lets herself dwell on the differences between them. Despite recognizing that Guinea isn't inherently bad, Maria can't help but resent her for being who she is.

Guinea doesn't think highly of Maria either, and the tension between them has been palpable since they first met. Their initial cordiality transformed into silent disdain after Maria's late-night music sessions began, driving Guinea to retaliate by leaving a box of her chinchilla's droppings in Maria's mailbox.

In response, Maria crafted a playlist reflecting her outrage and retaliated by sending Guinea a box containing her Chihuahua's waste—a pet aptly named Hamlet. This back-and-forth has persisted for two years, with both women harboring mutual disdain and unresolved internal struggles. Their petty conflicts act as a means to elevate their own self-worth, fueled by Maria's vivid imagination.

Adding to the drama is Poéps, a charming man living above Maria and Guinea. With milky brown eyes and a penchant for collecting stones while donning a three-piece green tuxedo, he captivates both women. Maria fantasizes about their future together, imagining their wedding day and their potential children. Guinea, too, is infatuated with him, leading to jealousy that ignites Maria's rage playlists whenever she sees Guinea interacting with Poéps.

Maria's interest in Poéps only intensified after the death of her mother, Lady Artcherbridge, who visited every other day for sangria. An eccentric retired archaeologist and talented octobass player, she met her untimely demise when her instrument collapsed during a performance. This tragedy left Maria heartbroken and spiraled her into a fixation on Poéps, further complicating her feud with Guinea.

Her grief manifested in a playlist dedicated to her mother, featuring only octobass compositions, with the haunting final track capturing the sound of the instrument's fall. This playlist played on repeat for a week after her mother's passing, marking the end of Maria's connection to the octobass.

Thank you for indulging in my musings and the potential prologue of my story. As a first-time author, I welcome any advice and plan to share my writing journey regularly. Feel free to join me in this adventure! :D

Chapter 2: Exploring the Depths of Creativity

In this chapter, we'll delve deeper into the intricacies of creativity and the emotional landscapes that inspire writing.

Here, we explore the theme of aspiration and the challenges faced by aspiring writers. This video reflects on the journey of self-discovery and creativity.