“Is there one particular book that changed your life? If so, why did you originally choose to read it? What impact has it had on you?”

Honestly, I don’t think just one book changed my life. Books in general have, yes, but it’s a combination of all of them–all of their themes, their characters, their stories–that has changed me. It would take too long to highlight all of the books that have changed me, and the truth is, I have no idea what books have changed me, because I am certain that every book I read affects me somehow, sometimes in ways I don’t even know. So to make an accurate list for you, I’d have to write about every book I’ve ever read, which would take way too long.

That said, when I think of books that have changed me, one in particular stands out as being the first book that really got me into reading—and then, later on, publishing. Without this book, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. And the book is… drumroll please… Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.

I read this book when it first came out years ago. I have no idea why exactly I chose to read it, or what I loved so much about it, but something there sparked my interest in books. I mean, I’d always enjoyed reading, but this book was what really had me set on it; it’s what got me addicted to books. I remember staying up “late” with my little reading light on (I WAS A KID, OKAY), furiously going flipping through page after page even though I didn’t understand a good number of the words. Something about this book just grabbed me, and from what I remember, it was one of the first books I ever read on my own. I am so glad I did, too. Inkheart, and if I remember correctly, is about the characters in a book coming to life—which, by the way, would be AWESOME if it could happen now.

Back then, when I first read this, I didn’t understand characterization, or unique plots, or what makes good writing. The only thing I knew about books was when I enjoyed them—and I loved this one. I haven’t read this book in a long time, admittedly, and I would not be surprised if I dislike it now, but the point is, I loved it then, and it eventually got me into read the books that I love now. Without reading Inkheart, I might not have turned out to be the passionate writer I am now. I might not be here—blogging, critiquing, querying.

It’s amazing to think that pulling just one book off the shelf can alter the course of your life. But it can.

Note: I’m writing this in a complete rush, (because, let’s face it, I’m a professional procrastinator) so I apologize for any typos!

January Blog Chain Participants: 

January 5th – http://fida-islaih.blogspot.co.uk – Muslim Spirit by Fida

January 6th – http://theteenagewriter.wordpress.com – The Teenage Writer

January 7th – http://missalexandrinabrant.wordpress.com – Miss Alexandrina

January 8th – http://cinderscoria.blogspot.co.uk – Between The Lines

January 9th – http://avonsbabbles.wordpress.com – Avon’s Babbles

January 10th – http://www.nonconformistwriter.blogspot.co.uk – Life.

January 11th – http://weirdalocity.wordpress.com – Inside The Junk Drawer

January 12th – http://notebooksisters.blogspot.co.uk – Notebook Sisters

January 13th – http://musingsfromnevillesnavel.wordpress.com – Musings From Neville’s Navel

January 14th – http://theloonyteenwriter.wordpress.com – The Loony Teen Writer

January 15th – http://mirrormadeofwords.wordpress.com – A Mirror Made Of Words

January 16th – http://epistolarygirl.wordpress.com – Epistolary Girl

January 17th – http://www.inklinedwriters.blogspot.co.uk – Inklined

January 18th – http://zarahoffman.tumblr.com – Zara Hoffman’s Blog

January 19th – http://sydneyjoto.wordpress.com – SydneyJoTo

January 20th – http://realityisimaginary.blogspot.com – Reality Is Imaginary

January 21st – http://thelittleenginethatcouldnt.wordpress.com – The Little Engine That Couldn’t

January 22nd – http://www.katrinakennedy3.wordpress.com – Writers Response

January 23rd –http://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com – John Hansen Writes

January 24th – http://miriamjoywrites.wordpress.com – Miriam Joy Writes

January 25th – http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com – Teens Can Write, Too! (We’ll announce the topic for next month’s chain)

So, why?

We write because we love it, because we can’t not write; writing is hard because you care, and that in itself is an amazing thing–to care about something so much that it causes you this amount of stress.

And sometimes, publishing, or the need to write a perfect book (spoiler: there is no such thing), gets in the way of that, that love. Of course, this sucks, but it’s also only natural. Sometimes it’s important to go back to the little thing that got you into writing in the first place: your passion for it. No matter what stage of your writing career you are at, remember why you’re doing it. It’s natural to feel stressed over writing–in fact, it’s probably a good sign that you are–but never, ever, think you can’t do it, or you aren’t good enough, because if you love what you’re doing, you will be good enough. Maybe you are right now. Maybe not. But you. will. get. there. Also? There is always room to improve no matter what stage you are at, except you can only improve if you truly love what you’re doing. Which, if you’re a writer, is a resounding, “YES IT STRESSES ME THE FREAK OUT BUT YES I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.”

So my point? Don’t give up on writing just because you think your book will never be published, or because you don’t think you’re any good at it. Just write. Just work as hard as you can on every book and enjoy it. ENJOY IT. If you love to write, then write. And I promise, if you keep working at it, you will get there.

You will.

–John

I think sometimes, when we step back from all of the jokes and the stress of writing and publishing–or of anything, really–it’s important to remember how lucky we are to have this opportunity, to be able to write and blog and read all these great books and pursue our passions, because not everyone can do that. And from a publishing perspective, if more people had these equal opportunities, think of all the amazing books that can be written, the stories that can be told. So many people have great, beautiful stories in them, and so many people don’t have the opportunity that we do to share those stories with the world, or even discover them in the first place. So I want to do something, to give back in a small way that can maybe, eventually, add up to something great.

I’ve wanted to do this for a while now because giving back to the community is something extremely important to me, and even though I don’t have a flashy charity auction to offer, I thought I could try something simple. I hope it will make a difference, no matter how small, to someone, somewhere.

And so, through the month of January only, I will be “selling” brief, one-page short stories written (which I write) for $5 each. All of the proceeds will go to First Book, a charity to promote literacy among children. “First Book provides access to new books for children in need. To date, First Book has distributed more than 85 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families…” Of course, I am by no means a professional writer and these stories I write will not be anywhere near the best ever written, but they’re just my little way to thank you for giving back. The stories will most likely be YA fiction of some sort–and they’ll probably be pretty weird–although I’ll try to mix things up a bit. They will all be kept PG, too. I will be writing three each day throughout the month of January and each story I send will be unique, unless more than 93 people participate. You may buy multiple stories, too, if you like.

To participate, go here to the charity’s website, click “Donate Now,” which is the top banner on the right, select your preferred payment option, and donate $5. It takes less than two minutes. Then, you should receive a receipt of your donation via email. Please forward it to me as proof (but please delete out all of the billing information, or any other personal information, in the reply) at jhansenauthor(at)gmail(dot)com, with the subject line, “Charity Story,” and if you want, tell me what genre of story you’d like me to write for you. If you donate more than $5, I will write you a second story, too.

If, for some reason, you donate but don’t get a receipt, please let me know via the same email address and subject line. Also, if you’re a minor and don’t have a credit card or Paypal account, ask your parents. I’m sure they’d be willing to chip in. Please note: it may take me a while to send you a story, depending on how many people participate, but you will get one by the end of the month no matter what. I’ll also try and send confirmations that I received your email.

I guess, in the end, my goal for this is that in some way or another, we help make a difference. And the beauty of it is, whether 3 or 100 people participate, this will still be a success, because someone, somewhere, will have their lives improved, will have the opportunity to read, to enjoy the stories we enjoy, and maybe even to write their own one day.

Anyway, I really hope all of you will participate since it takes only $5, but if not, I’m sure you’re giving back in some way, and I thank you for it. As far as I know, you can participate even if you live outside the U.S., just do the money conversion (or Google can do it for you).

Happy New Year, guys. And thank you. Thank you so much. Let’s make someone’s dream come true.

UPDATE: Aaaah!!! Leigh Ann Kopans, an amazing YA writer who you should follow right this instant, has agreed to match every $5 for up to 20 stories!