RPLA Showcase: John Hope

Q: Where do you get your story ideas?

Q: Anything in particular about your award-winning RPLA entry that you’d like to share?

A: I took a different approach with “Daddy Was Santa” than with most stories. I wanted to write a Christmas story, so I started with photos. I scoured various photograph websites and saved off about a dozen photos that I found interesting­­­­–the cover for “Daddy Was Santa” was one of them. For each, I thought up a story idea and selected my favorite. I liked the concept of how realizing the truth of Santa was akin to the death of a childhood fantasy, a critical moment in a child’s life. The story came out well, and like many I write, it’s surprisingly emotional. My favorite moment in the story was when the little boy starts to accept the truth and he asks his older brother, “Why’d {Daddy} have to be Santa?” And rather than his brother fumbling through a typical adult answer of explaining fantasy and growing up, his brother simply says, “I don’t know,” showing how even now, he was just as befuddled and marked by this truth.

Q: Whom do you credit with inspiring your writing?

A: I’ve been blessed with a number of wonderful people in my life who inspire me–almost none of them writers themselves. These people include my parents, my brother, my grandparents, my teachers, various friends, my friend’s mom, my coaches, and even people on TV, including Mr. Rogers. But most importantly God, who’s been a constant throughout my life. Everyone who has dedicated part of their life to instill something in me who made me who I am today is my inspiration. Every time I write, I express myself, my whole self. If nobody ever invested in me, I’d have nothing say. When I was little, I had many moments of burning frustration, of me angry that no one understood me. I find the hardest part of writing is discovering those avenues of expression, so I can finally reveal those truths that others have poured into me.

Q: Any tips for new writers?

A: Force yourself to finish. Over the years I’ve spoken with a number of people who have a book inside them, some of them have started their stories and many have given up on the dream of writing. As difficult as it is to complete a story or an entire book, it’s worth it. The reward comes when others read your story and are moved by your words, perhaps inspiring them to better their lives or at least opening their minds to a different way of looking at life. But this reward will never see the light until your book is complete and ready for consumption. My best advice is: keep writing, don’t give up, and force yourself to finish. You’ll never regret the effort, but you may regret never finishing.