by Alyssa Saari
What would be a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than to share in the imaginative and inspirational works of local Spokane authors? At Hastings Entertainment, located on 29th Avenue, about 10 authors were set up at formally dressed tables, presenting some of their works and talking with fans and interested passers-by.
The first author Alexander C. Morley, welcomed anyone that came to his table. A simple man, Morley only displayed one book: “Fergus Day or The Inevitable Meeting of a Man and Himself,” his most recently published book. He proudly exclaimed that the reason he only had the two books was because he was pretty much sold out.
Morley has written seven novels, some printed and some still in production. Morley started young as an amateur writer as a kid and began writing professionally in 2007. He began as a self-publisher in high school, binding at least a thousand of his own books and moved onto a small publisher with his brother, and also began working with a large publisher, Permuted Press.
Most of Morley’s works are unique and eccentric. His book “Langseil,” due to be released in 2015, was one of his most difficult books for him to write, Morley said. He put himself in the book as the main character—a sort of autobiographical satire, with characters from his books flooding his mind, confusing and disillusioning Morley’s reality and his imagination.
“I wanted a way to express my ideas and imagination and it’s a sort of outlet for me to be able to express my weirdness in a unique way,” Morley said. “It’s always so hard for me to find the words to express what I’m trying to say, and I always learn more about yourself as a writer.”
Morley’s words of wisdom for aspiring authors are to keep writing and write about what you enjoy.
“Always write. It’s going to feel like you have homework the rest of your life, but it’s worth it. I continuously have ideas floating through my head. I already have at least seven books finished in my head; now I just have to physically write them,” Morley said.
“No one can teach you how to write. Yeah, you can be taught grammar, sentence structures and the process of writing, but writing is different for everyone,” Morley said.
As for S. L. Jennings, another local author, her personal views on writing are almost identical. Writing is an emotional outlet; the common theme and universal concept connecting all writers despite the creative genre and forms of works.
“It’s how I process. Writing helps me express myself and is an emotional and mental outlet,” Jennings said, “All of my books are a grueling process, but for different reasons.”
She explained how each book has a different process and the difficulties with each. Whether for personal experience reasons, structure or just writer’s block, Jennings admitted that writing isn’t easy.
Jennings has been professionally published for about two years. She writes mainly contemporary romances and displayed her trilogy, including a small novella, called the “Dark Light Series.” When finishing a book, Jennings becomes emotional, she said.
“It’s like raising a child and sending them off to college. You’re sad that it’s over, but you’re proud of what you’ve accomplished,” Jennings said.
With authors ranging in age from 25 to 83, the idea of creativity and determination holds true. Local author Jo Stern began writing her book, “Holy One Tell Me: Lessons From a Journey Through Life” about 30 years ago, just published her first book this past year. She is in the process of printing her third set of 100 books.
“You are never too old to pursue your dreams,” Stern said, honing in on the idea to always create dreams and pursue them, no matter where you are in your life, and to never give up.”