AN ARTIST THAT INSPIRES ME

American writer Kurt Vonnegut has been an inspiration from my earliest memory. I found a copy of his classic novel, Breakfast of Champions, in my parents room when I was about 8 years old. 

His writing style was simple and lyrical and almost Dr. Seuss like to my then very young brain, so I was able to comprehend some of the sophistication and nuance underlying his seemingly child like delivery. 

He was also funny and darkly satirical, poking fun while holding truth to power, which taught me that the mysterious complex world of adults had a range of competing emotions and considerations to navigate. 

I think being exposed to Vonnegut at an early age helped form my observant analytical side, as much as it inspired me to be curious and inventive. That’s what his writing was to me. 

He wasn’t successful straight out of the gate either. His first published work was in cheap soft core porn magazines - the only place he could get his first short stories printed. 

Kurt Vonnegut, Self Portrait

Not a likely origin story for such a prolific seminal literary giant. The lesson for me in that has always been that the road to success can be traveled in whatever way it fits the individual on that journey. 

It’s about conviction and hard work and finding opportunity wherever you can to sell your wares.