I
found that I started to write because I was stimulated by what I was into
growing up. A lot of my ideas and interests have stemmed from games and films.
I took a particular delight in the fantasy that presented itself to me. From
Disney films to the Final Fantasy franchise and Star Wars, I always picked my
favourite character to be and enact elaborate scenes of my own devising. My
imagination was hooked on who I could possibly be the next time; of course I
couldn’t just be plain old me.
When
I got to the age of fifteen, I just had a sudden urge to write something down.
I pulled myself away from the vast world of Final Fantasy XII and used a bunch
of already established characters to make a story of my own. Their world, their
characters, but my story and my understanding of what they were like. I poured
weeks into this endeavour before I realised I wasn’t even writing about my
favourite Final Fantasy game, so I started another story based on Final Fantasy
VII. I spent more time on this story, adding in characters I created and places
that weren’t seen in the games.
I
always pestered my nan to read my scribbles and she kept asking if I were to get
it published or if I could write something unique. So I did. I used these
stepping stones to realise I could do all what they’ve done by myself.
We can be very critical of computer games and their benign influence on the minds and intellect of our blossoming off spring so it is gratifying to hear that it can be a springboard to creating imaginative narratives of your own. Some years ago when I was teaching GCSE English to 30 reluctant teenagers, I was often surprised by the quality of some of the least able students' short stories. I later realised they had been inspired by the games they were playing and encouraged them to write more. Alas, I don't know if they ever did.
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