The Art that Inspired Me

Every artist and writer has a moment when they decided this is what they wanted to do. For many, it’s just something that felt right the moment you picked up a pen, for others it took a lot more to recognize. Either way, I feel like we all have movies, or TV shows or bands that made us find our way.

I’m not sure if I told the story here, but for me it was One Tree Hill (popular teen show in the early 2000s). I can’t explain how but after watching the show for a while, I wrote my first story. I can’t remember the details, but I’m pretty sure it was close to the plot of the show and pretty bad. But it doesn’t matter. I was fifteen and it made me realize I liked making up stories.

But I feel it goes deeper than that.

Often times, there are other things that somehow leave a mark. Inspire not just your stories, but encourage you to believe in yourself and your dreams, making you feel like it is possible.

And last month I got to feel that again.

I went to New Jersey to see my favorite band, My Chemical Romance. I got the ticket last year, and I’d been waiting for this day so bad, especially seeing how amazing this tour is. And I knew that being their hometown show, it would be even more special.

Obviously, it was better than I ever imagined, and I got to meet so many friends, and it was just a special night. But one of the things that really moved me was what Frank Iero, rhythm guitarist of the band, posted that day. He mention that after having a dream one time, where he and the band played a show at Metlife, while the band was broken up, he sent them a text to tell them, and that’s how they got back together, and now they were actually playing Metlife, to a sold out crowd.

Maybe I was too emotional, but I kept thinking about that post, and how he believed in the band more than anything, even before he was part of it. And now his dream had literally come true.

And getting to be part of it really inspired me to keep writing and doing what I love, believing in myself.

But that’s not all.

As a big Beatles fan, I had to visit the Dakota building (where John Lennon used to live, and where he eventually died) and Central Park while I was in New York. It wasn’t my first time visiting, every time I’m in NY, I have to go, because of course. But yeah, this time I visited alone, so I just enjoyed the moment. I went to Strawberry Fields (the section of the park that serves as tribute to John Lennon) and sat there, listening to the musicians playing covers, enjoying the vibe.

Knowing that one of my biggest idols had lived right there, and being around so many fans who were there to pay tribute, got me feeling inspired. So, I grabbed my laptop and did a bit of writing while being there. Grateful for all the inspiration his music has given me.

I’ll always look back to that trip.

It taught me a lot of things about myself, but also got me more inspired than ever.

What are your biggest inspirations?

No Words

I haven’t posted anything in a while, and I wish I had a good excuse, but it’s simply because I’ve been trying to manage life and dealing with the stress of the current events, and it hasn’t been easy.

Being a Mexican immigrant in this country has become more and more difficult every day. This isn’t about having legal status, it’s about being brown in this country. We’ve known since day one.

And I honestly have no words anymore.

I’ve been trying to focus on my book lately, but it’s hard when every day when I have to wake up, I have to see the news about families being kidnapped in broad daylight, about people who are just trying to put a roof over their head being sent to a camp in El Salvador. How am I supposed to keep chasing my dream when it’s scary to even go outside?

Because let’s be honest, they’re not deporting these people. They’re sending them to literal concentration camps.

As a writer, words are important, and we should be calling things what they are.

When they just opened another concentration camp in Florida, even daring to make merch, and when politicians are talking about feeding brown people to alligators – It needs to be said.

Not even a hundred years ago, a Jewish girl dared to tell her story and that’s how we know of the horrors of the Holocaust. Now it’s time to tell our stories.

Even though it feels hopeless most of the time, we can’t stay silent.

Be loud.

I know it’s scary for some of us to go out and protest, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything.

Find a way to tell your story.

And I know I don’t have a huge platform, but I’m still going to use it, hoping my story can get to someone.

Thanks for listening.

BOOK REVIEWS #1

SO, I’m probably not writing as much as I should lately, but at least I’m reading a bit more, so that’s something.

I’ve finished 6 books so far this year, so I wanted to share my thoughts on some of them… Here we go!

EILEEN – Ottessa Moshfegh

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. I liked the whole story, and it was interesting to see why Eileen was like that, and her trauma, and how she connected with Rebecca. But there was one part when I almost stopped reading.

EARTHLINGS – Sayaka Murata

⭐️⭐️.5

All I can say is WHAT THE FUCK DID I READ? I was not expecting any of that. Since the beginning I was like wtf, and it just kept going. And the ending is just – [she was too stunned to speak]

NOWHERE GIRL – Magali Le Huche

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really liked it! It was short and sweet, and it reminded me of my love for the Beatles, and just how my favorite bands have saved me from my anxiety and depression more than once.

CLOUD CUCKOO LAND – Anthony Doerr

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s been a while since a book really got to me – I absolutely loved it. It’s about the power of stories, and how sometimes they’re the only thing giving you a bit of hope.

And I just hope one day I get to write a story like that.

THE DUKE AND I (Bridgerton #1) – Julia Quinn

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really liked it, but I don’t know if it was because I already watched the show, or I’m not that much into the romance genre. And as a fanfiction enthusiast, this was like a meh fic.

Let’s see if the other ones are better.

THUNDER CITY (Mortal Engines #5) – Philip Reeve

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

AAAAAHHHH! I’m a huge fan of the Mortal Engines books, and I wish they were more popular, because I honestly think they’re superior. And while nothing will beat my love for the heroine of the original trilogy, this standalone story was amazing! First of all, I love the fact this one was more political than the first ones, especially considering the world we live in right now. *chef’s kiss*

My favorite part was Vespertine and her kitten, Small Cat. I just *screams*

Anyway, if you want any recommendations, I’d say read this series.

What’s your favorite book you’ve read so far this year?

UPDATE?

Hey, there!

So, first of all, I just want to say thank you to everyone who read the first blog and those who subscribed! Wow! I did not expect anyone to come along on this ride! I truly appreciate all of you, and this makes me so excited.

Anyway, I don’t have a lot to say right now (work has kept me busy lately, and I’ve barely written anything) but I have a few things planned ahead.

But first, I wanted to introduce my newest project. ALIEN GIRL.

I wanted to share my story as an immigrant, but I thought, why not make it a bit more interesting and create a character and a whole story based on it? So I started Alien Girl, the story of an alien girl who arrives in Mars with her family, and tries to fit in.

In this serialized story, we’ll explore her life in a new planet, growing up, and all that. I’ll try to update often, if my schedule allows it. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

So, without further adieu, here it is – ALIEN GIRL.

ARRIVAL

October 31st, 3105

7 a.m.

My name is Lola, and my family and me come from the Moon. Things aren’t going great over there, so one day my parents told us to pack everything and we got on the next ship to Mars.

Everyone says life on Mars is spectacular, and all your dreams come true.

read more

IS THIS THING ON?

I’ve been wanting to start a blog for the longest time, but I wasn’t sure exactly what should I say, or if anyone would be interested. But I guess I’m starting this to keep track of my progress in one place, and hopefully share my journey with someone.

In any case, let me introduce myself –

I’m Montse Luna, and I’m a Mexican writer working on my first book, hoping one day I can share my stories with all of you. I’ve been writing since I can remember, making stories up in my head, and one day, many years ago, I decided to try and write some of them. Most of them are silly and never became anything, but luckily I’ve managed to write a full book (still doing revisions), and for a few years, I’ve been writing fanfiction, as well as short stories.

Writing has kept me sane. It keeps me alive.

I still have no idea what exactly I’m going to share here. I’ll probably talk about the books I’m reading, or the songs I’ve been listening, or my cat, or if you’re interested, I’ll tell you about my book, and a bit about my story.

Thanks for reading 🙂