Guest Post with author Kalen Cap

Probably what most inspired me to become a writer is the art of storytelling itself, in its many forms. Whether listening, reading, or viewing, I love stories. Early on, they expanded my worldview beyond my quite limited experiences as a child. Even fantastical stories could help me make better sense of what I encountered in my day-to-day life. So, after taking in so much storytelling when younger, I’m inspired to pay that forward by writing for others.

After years of reading, I found that some things aren’t explored as fully in fiction as others. There were gaps in the kinds of stories readily available, particularly before the internet was used heavily, and thankfully more novels became easier to find via basic web search. Prior, there weren’t many varied stories in bookstores or local library card catalogs that dealt with nonprofits, lifelong activism, college-aged protagonists, or multifaceted characters with disabilities. I felt motivated to explore some of these facets creatively.

After toying with writing as a hobby, I realized I did have a unique perspective based on my life experiences. I also found that an audience responded appreciatively to my specific writer’s voice. With my early one-act plays, I liked the feeling of contributing something worthwhile. Beyond plays, novels have distinctive advantages for more involved, multi-threaded storylines and that appealed to me. So, that desire to contribute something unique in a novel that explored things I care about drove me as well.

A final thing that moved me to write shouldn’t be underestimated. I have fun with it. How many people truly get to use their imagination and creativity professionally? True, there are many forms of creativity that people use in varied jobs, but in fiction writing, nothing else can happen without imagination first. The fun I have in writing, particularly in the give and take with those reading it, inspired me to continue writing.

For me, it is fulfilling when I write a story and readers respond. The inspiration from a lifelong appreciation of the art of storytelling, a desire to contribute something unique with my own voice, and the fun I have doing it - all keep me motivated to write. 

Kalen will award a $25 Green Gift Card from http://green.icardgiftcard.com/ -- redeemable for GCs from hundreds of your favorite merchants to one randomly drawn commenter and the host with the most comments (excluding his and the hosts) will win a $10 Amazon GC. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-name-before-masses-tour-tangled.html.

About the Author: 

Kalen Cap is a writer living in Columbus, Ohio. Active in a variety of causes, particularly with regard to the environment, he often brings such concerns into his fiction writing. 

Tangled Ties to a Manatee is his debut novel. 

 He has had poetry published and several plays, both one act and full-length, produced locally. Two short stories have been published as well. "Feral" is a short story published in Off the Rocks, v. 14, ed Allison Fradkin, NewTown Writers Chicago, 2010, pp. 119-126. "Transforming Oracle" is a self-published short story available at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29507 

Kalen’s website is http://www.kalencap.com 

He can be readily connected with through the following social media profiles – 
Twitter: @kalencap 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KalenCap 
Google+ : http://gplus.to/Kalencap