Sources of Inspiration
It is a fairly safe assumption the creative process and inspiration are tied together. I have found inspiration through a variety of sources: anime, video games, literature, movies, etc. Their influence on culture, society, and individual creators is timeless.
The list below will continue to grow over time. Hopefully it will provide additional insight into how others can inspire us to find our own way in a sea chock-full of creative genius. Clicking on a name will open up a separate window to their website.
Greg’s Personal Links
The Facebook and Instagram icons in the upper right corner and bottom of this page will also lead you to the correct sites:
I remember picking up Terry Brooks' novel, The Sword of Shannara in a used book store when I was 16 years old; I have been a fan ever since. His writing style provides all the necessary complexities to deliver a satisfying tale, while not confusing the reader. He is the author of the Shannara, Landover, Word/Void fantasy series as well as the novelization of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist who resided in Plum Village, a meditation center in southwest France. He published over 100 books, including more than 40 in English. My first exposure to Thich Nhat Hanh was reading his book, The Miracle of Mindfulness, which had been given to my husband by his cognitive behavioral therapist. It not only changed how I view the world but myself as well and set me on my own path to self-awareness.
Born James Oliver Rigney Jr., Robert Jordan is widely known as the creator of his series, The Wheel of Time, which is comprised of a prequel and 14 books. Another distinction is being one of several writers to have written original Conan the Barbarian novels. Having read both, albeit not in their entirety, I consider his epic fantasy, beginning with The Eye of the World to be one of the best fantasy series ever written. What inspired me the most is his ability to draw in readers where, before you know it, a whole day has gone by and you did not even notice. Seeing how he balanced multiple storylines, culture, religion, and characters, aided me tremendously in determining my own approach to The Sy’Arrian Legacy series.
C.L. Kraemer is a multi-published author and editor whose works cross multiple genres. She has provided mentorship to me over the years and assisted in editing my own novel, The Cradle of Destiny. Her blog, Mistress of the Red Ink Pen provides advice and tips on writing mechanics plus a splash of humor.
The writings of James A. Michener stirred my imagination by the shear breadth of their scope and attention to historical details. I distinctly remember reading The Source, a novel of slightly over 1,000 pages in two days. Many of my colleagues and I often joke, James A. Michener did not skimp on details, almost always resulting in extremely long novels. Yet, his ability to orchestrate expansive details is what helped me do the same with the Sy’Arrian Legacy series. Although he passed in 1997, the effect he had on my own writing is still felt.
Don Miguel Ruiz is a renowned spiritual teacher and internationally bestselling author of the Toltec Wisdom Series, including The Four Agreements, The Mastery of Love, The Voice of Knowledge, The Four Agreements Companion Book, The Circle of Fire, and The Fifth Agreement. I was given his book, The Four Agreements by a mentor of mine and it was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. It changed my life and opened up my heart.
Elven Scholar: Radio Interview
In this radio interview with the Elven Scholar, I detail my plans for the Sy’Arrian Legacy series, where the initial concept originated, and a bit of wisdom for beginning writers. The Elven Scholar is a close personal friend of mine who had a radio show on Heroes and Mortals Radio. It was a privilege and honor to be invited. Take a moment to view and listen to other content on his YouTube channel, The Gentle Musings of an Eleven Scholar.
It goes without saying, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, whose life stretched from 1892 to 1973, is one of the most prolific high fantasy writers whose notable works comprised; The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. In my opinion, which I have aplenty, Tolkien laid the foundation of what truly rich, robust, and intellectually sound fantasy should be.
As of this writing, Star Trek has reached its 56-year mark in providing us with truly moving and thought provoking story Lines. I could go on for days recalling how the Star Trek universe has enthralled and inspired me to create my own content. Whether you spend time revisiting old stories or digesting new concepts such as Star Trek: Discovery or Star Trek: Picard, you can rely on Star Trek to do one thing correctly; treat both its fans and characters with respect.
Those who read my blog will understand when I say Star Wars needs no introduction. It has become a world-wide phenomenon serving to spark the imagination and inspire countless people to create their own universe. Dare I say, I am not sure I would be where I am today if not for my mother and I viewing the first movie when I was 10-years old. I feel privileged to live long enough to see the original saga come to a close, while we witness the birth of so many others.