Just How Did It All Begin

As part of my 5 Year Plan course work I was listening to a podcast about how they (most notably Larry Correia) got started writing and they were talking about the first science fiction/horror/fantasy books they read. And that got me thinking.

I don't remember.

I know I was heavily influenced by my Uncle Howard's library. When I was 4 or 5, I would love looking at all the covers on his books. It was about that time while visiting his house in Denver that I saw the first movie that I remember: Yog the Space Amoeba! Logically, I know I watched Star Trek during those impressionable years which primed me for my love of kaiju and spaceships and everything else, but I don't remember it.

Other influences of my very early years were, well, my mom bought us kids comics. I loved the old Warren comics, especially Vampirella. I mean, who wouldn't? Mom also took us kids to a slasher murder movie called Blood and Lace. Looking back, I really can't help but wonder what Mom was thinking!

I know I must have read a variety of good science fiction but the earliest books I actually remember were probably when I was about 9. I love the mushroom planet books, Rusty's Spaceship and The Shy Stegasaurus of Cricket Creek. I didn't realize until a couple years ago that the last two were by the same author, Evelyn Lampman.

Also during those pre-teen years, I continued my fascination with my uncles book collection. The covers were so cool! Rendezvous with Rama and the Lensman books. I could stare at them forever. Eventually, I got the nerve to ask him if I could borrow some to take home and read. So glad he said yes!

At 12, I read The Silmarillion so I know I must have read other Tolkien before that, but I don't remember. I do remember that The Silmarillion went way over my head. Not long after, I loved reading The Sword of Shannara and watching Battlestar Galactica. I started trying to write fanfic, not that I had any idea that was a thing. Some how I never got past the first two sentences. And every time I started a new story, the first two sentences were always the same.

I don't remember successfully writing any complete stories but I must have because when I was a senior in high school, my English teacher asked me to write a story for the school newspaper. It was a riff on Doctor Who where I, the Doctor, saved a prominent party hangout. I didn't realize that the teacher was asking for a Christmas story until after the story was printed.

Anyhoo, this has been my humble sci-fi beginnings. I am utterly shocked at the gaps in my memory.