Finding the spark.
My writing career started in second grade with a book I made about He-Man.
I’ve now written for television news. I’ve written plays and novels and a Substack.
Still, sometimes, I can't find the spark.
I know I’m not alone.
Books that save me.
Certain books make me want to rush to the keyboard.
Some of these are unconventional. Some edgy. Only one is a huge commercial bestseller. But they all matter to me.
The first one listed below stays on my desk. I can open it to any yellowed, tattered page and find the most awe-inspiring sentences underlined.
The others light different fires in my heart.
Maybe they will for you, too.
Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
Every time I read this it’s like the first time.
It’s twisty. It’s dark. It’s risky.
This novel exposes truths about life, identity, beauty. Every word makes me want to lock myself in a dark room and type out secrets.
PLOT: A model gets disfigured and finally becomes someone she likes.
A QUOTE I UNDERLINED: “Still spinning on the floor, the rifle points at me, points at Brandy. Another thing is no matter how much you think you love somebody, you’ll step back when the pool of their blood edges up too close.”
Helen of Nowhere by Makenna Goodman
This! Book! Inspires! Me!
I’ve been in a reading funk. Lots of good stuff but nothing that said to me, “Hey! This is like what you want to do! Maybe you can do this, too! See! It’s right here!”
Then, this.
I actually started writing two separate novels after reading this. (Who knows where each will end up—but as far as I’m concerned, the magic happened!)
PLOT: A disgraced professor tours a house and hears about the mystifying woman who used to live there.
A QUOTE I UNDERLINED: “What you’re really saying to me is ‘I wish I could just express part of my emotions and just be like my wife.’ You want to be like her, and you want her. You’re telling me you don’t, but you do. You want your wife, badly!”
Coming up.
A book that reminds us what happens if we ignore our passions, one that inspires craftsmanship of words, and a novel I loved so much as an e-book I had to buy a hard copy to keep it near me.
Cult Members Only Past This Point
This part is not for the public—going deeper on life, craft, and mental health.
Pull up a chair and access all of my personal stories.
As a welcome gift, I’ll send you digital copies of my two Byronbooks: Everything Is Stupid Okay Fine I’ll Keep Going and Am I Severely Depressed or Do I Just Need Taco Bell.
“Every post from Byron feels like getting a message from the funniest person in the group chat… and that person also happens to be an extraordinary writer.”
—Maggie Downs, author of Be Back By Dinner
It costs less than one fancy cup of coffee each month. (Or a martini—I see you!)