No! Not War of the Worlds! Permit me to explain!
Technically the very first story I wrote happened to be science fiction. I was eight years old. I remember the story depicted an invasion of earth by Martians. Apparently Mars had no more children and the Martians came to spirit earth's kiddies away.
My teacher sent for the Principal to come up. I didn't know what was going on, but I remember reading my story out loud to her.
After that I wrote another sci fi story about a large globe in a library. A child somehow manages to open the globe and finds that the inside is actually outer space. She is pulled inside and finds herself flying amongst the stars and planets! And no, she's not frightened. It's pleasurable.
I think there were good reasons for me penning these stories so early on. Both of my parents were sci fi fanatics. I can remember being taken to see every sci fi film that came out.
"Now this is a great film, Carole."
War of the Worlds, The Thing from Another World, Them, The Shrinking Man--yup I saw all of them.
So was it any wonder I wrote those sci fi stories? I don't think so.
Horror though would stay with me, although I still write some sci fi. I got into Edgar Allan Poe and began writing the most morbid poetry by age 12. It was heavy and dire, laden with the most morose thoughts and imagery.
My parents were worried. They went to talk to my teacher. My mother told me many years later. "We did go up to discuss it with her. We were concerned!"
Poor things. My teacher, Mrs. Leshne assured them it was a good thing for it to come out.
"Encourage her don't discourage her."
And so they did. If it wasn't for their huge imagination and their great fondness for incredible films and a good library at home I don't for a minute think I'd have begun writing when I did. I'm not even certain if I'd be writing now!
That's the most important point I'd like to say with regard to this post. Those of us that write are influenced and inspired by so much. I think every writer has been inspired in their youth, though the actual writing might not have begun until much later.
I would say the Martian story of mine was the most memorable piece of fiction I ever wrote because it was the very first story I ever wrote. And as such it deserves to be acknowledged.
It was the day I took my first steps down the writing road and although life got in the way later on, I found my way back many years later and am I glad I did!
