Having a passion for writing takes years to build up and in my case this is true. I don't believe writing is a natural talent. You have to learn through the years in order to gain that knowledge and build that passion. Since five I have been into writing Sci Fi stories since 6. My first story was "Flies from Outer Space" but the story has been lost since then. But I can proudly say that I wrote my first story at a young age. (beam of pride) I developed an interest for English and Writing throughout school. I had a fascination with books since a young age but the hunger for them didn't come till middle school. 7th grade was a lousy time, but if it wasn't for Ray Bradbury I think it would have sucked even more. When I picked up his novel "Fahrenheit 451" my outlook on reading changed and my enthusiasm for literature when off the scale. I began to collect his books, his stories and then soon delved into the world of Fantasy, Sci Fi, and Horror. High School Came along and I began to get into the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, Edgar Allen Poe, Stephen King and Hermann Hesse. The enthusiasm was only a quarter way there. Then college came, and I began to look for older authors who were famous for Fantasy, Sci Fi, and Horror. I read "Dracula" and spent the days in his castle and his torment. I drove along with Jack Kerouac and his Beatniks in "On The Road." I fought more vampires with Robert Neville in "I Am Legend". And now, my journeys are being fulfilled with Charles Dickens, H.P. Lovecraft, and I really would like to find "Demian" and read once again. It bugs me that I cannot find that book.. Since the beginning of college, I have written several stories; all have the same common theme of family dysfunction, surrealism, insanity, ghost hunting, paranormal, and abuse. Fanfiction.net's policy says not to post non-fan fiction stories. SO if you are interested in reading them give me a ring at bshields_sy@yahoo.com and I will be happy to post them on Fictionpress.com

Besides my love for writing and books, I am into Pen and Paper RPG's, SOME video games, Surrealism and most art (The former is a big influence on my writing) movies, and my other big passion Music! I began music as a drummer, and for the past two years I have been playing Guitar and also keyboards. I WAS in a band for 3 years but we weren't going anywhere. That hasn't stopped me however. I am also a "part time" ghost hunter and paranormal "investigator." Since being a HUGE fan for Rifts, I am in the process of making a Rifts Fan fiction series set in the "New West" of the Old United States. I have created some original creatures and characters but the plot and story has not been fully functional yet. Updates will come soon!

It is great to have found this site and I believe everyone should release their imaginations and creativity every now and then. It truly is sad that a good portion of the world doesn't delve into creativity or even have the decency to pick up a good book and read a few pages and get those brain cells flowing. Pick Up a Book and create!

Thanks for reading!

Alex Brautigan