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There have been so many things that have inspired me to write LGBTQ fiction, but I think the one that sticks in my mind the most was my first term at grad school for my MFA. As part of the program, those graduating gave thesis readings. Now, the thesis was a fully ready for submission genre novel, so the thesis readings were 50 minute long sessions where the author talked a bit about why this novel and then read for about a half hour. As students, we were encouraged to go to as many of the readings as we could. So I did.
One of the first ones I went to was Traci Castleberry’s. Her novel was a fantasy romance with genderqueer and gay characters. And I thought, “Oh! So I can do that, then? Really? In an academic program?” (Tracy writes as herself and as Evey Brett and as Nica Berry.) To read a LGBTQ book, out loud, for a half an hour, to a rapped audience, and then receive applause (and a degree)? Now THAT was inspiring.
And it gave me the courage to break out of my fear and write rainbow characters without subterfuge. I don’t think Traci even knows how she inspired me that day. (hi!)
So my question for you, dear readers, is what has inspired you to push beyond your boundaries?
If you comment, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to the vendor of your choice (Amazon, B&N, ARe…even publishers, like Riptide or Loose Id or Dreamspinner).
Anna Zabo 
Great story! For me, it was a lovely friend from LJ. She convinced me to send her a short I was working on, in exchange for my beta of hers. She was very encouraging, and eventually that was my first contracted story in the Male-Male Romance genre.
After hearing from mainstream publishing professionals that queer fiction was basically impossible to sell, for years and years, it was huge that someone who’d already been published in the genre had faith in my writing. I’d started to think “great writing, but I can’t sell this” was some kind of code for “you suck.” 🙂
My inspiration came about in a weird way. I had a life threatening condition last year, while I was in the hospital a male nurse that I had would cone in to talk and comfort me. We had a lot of long chats but one in particular stood out. He asked me if since I was so young and could have died if I would have had any regrets. It’s not something I had ever really thought about but at that moment I realized that I had said “I’ll do it later” a lot in my life. To realize their could possibly never be a later was a big wake up call and inspiration. I sent a card to him recently thanking him.
fsteph55(at)yahoo(dot)com
For me it was the birth of my son and wanting better for him! M8231m@aol
I think it’s that marriage has finally been open to everyone here in the UK, it such a wonderful thing to see so many people happy that they can marry the one they love.
ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk
When I was younger, my aunt’s high school graduation (with honors) made me want to do the best I could possibly do in school…all the way through getting a Ph.D. As an adult, after graduate school, the birth of my son coupled with a cancer diagnosis really motivated me to be the best person I could be and to do the things that I wanted to do before it was too late.
jczlapin(at)gmail(dot)com
For me it was one of my best friends. She is a year younger than me and always had a pretty life, graduated from high school. I knew she has problems at home but never imagined her mum would kicked her out because she just because she ”didn’t approve” his boyfriend. With a lot of effort from his family and all the help we could bring her, now she is living him and and works and studies. I admire her very much for all she has done.
Forgot to leave my email: serena91291@gmail.com
Hearing everyone’s stories, and realizing that life is too short not to do what you want, is inspiring!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
My inspiration comes from reading other writers stories. I’ve always loved reading and when I was a teen I used to write little YA short story for myself. And then life happened (jobs, bills, spouse, kids, etc) and I stopped reading and writing. Now that I have more free time I have picked back up on both. To be able to write something for someone that will literally having them travel the journey of the story I’ve written is something I want to strive to do.
amybowens34@yahoo.com
I want to say it was the birth of my second and the realisation that i needed to think of a new path in life. I could be what i originally thought, not while they were little.
Id like it to be something meaningful, and i guess for me it was, tho i see it more as a necessary turning point, even if the direction hadn’t been on my radar until that moment
beeheeley(@)gmail(.)com
Hi, just wanted to say first that I have just read & enjoyed reading Close Quarter 🙂
I inspire every day against my insecurities & shyness with the love of my family and support of my friends. With that support I went into teaching, which is well beyond my comfort boundaries as I would prefer to find a quiet corner to read a book, but a teacher friend said I had the patience and calm demeanour that would do well in teaching and therefore took the bull by the horns and obtained my teaching qualifications and began to teach. I am inspired by the students I work with that have different learning levels and issues that would make you cry, but they never give up and are desperate to learn and improve themselves and always try to push themselves beyond the boundaries life has set them.
thank you for being part of this blog and for offering such a great giveaway 🙂
My nieces have inspired me to be the best that I can and to want to do more with my life. They make me believe anything is possible.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
What a great blog hop 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
butterflypetals7(at)gmail(dot)com
For me getting through medical school and residency pushed my boundaries, it is amazing what you can do even when sleep deprived when you are helping to care for sick patients. Thanks for the giveaway. ardent(dot)ereader(at)gmail(dot)com.