There are dozens of stereotypes about authors. The most common I've heard can be summed up in this statement: 'don't quit your day job'. The fact that the arts, particularly writing, do not pay well is the initial perception non-authors usually consider. Perhaps this saying has become so tied to writing because writing is an activity requiring significant time investment that generally does not pay off financially. Part of the reason is competition – there's just so much literature in the world. You could be the next William Shakespeare but if your book isn't marketed at least a little it will likely never sell more than a dozen copies.

Visual artists face similar hurtles yet the Information Age offers many avenues for success in their calling. Experiencing a piece of visual art (generally) requires far less time investment than reading a story. While the period it takes to experience art does not always link to financial success, the ability to quickly judge thousands of pieces is suited to a generation used to a visual medium where attention spans are short.

Literary works also have additional competition in the digital era – fanfiction. The desire to continue the journey with favourite character(s) in the same or different context is one I completely understand. I read a good deal of fanfiction and even contribute to several of my favourite fandoms. It is, however, necessary to acknowledge that fanfiction is undoubtedly competition for unique narratives. Every fanfiction I read means I'm not reading one original story. Ultimately, enjoyment of the literary genre is a success, no matter the contents.

As the world and its mediums for storytelling continue evolving, literary works will change along with them. Staying relevant and attracting the attention of potential readers are the biggest challenges for modern authors. There's no magic answer – just the increased importance of marketing in an author's life.

It's easy to get caught up in daily life. Perhaps now more than ever, with a myriad of devices alternately demanding our attention and tempting us with their distractions, it's easy to seek out the least challenging activities. Give into the impulse for simplicity. Reasons to take a break, or not tackle a task in the first place, are as diverse as stars in the sky. Moving past the desire for easy activities is one of the biggest challenges I'm currently facing as an author.

In my youth I would while away hours imagining, writing stories long before a pen was in my hand. The subjects in grade school were sources of inspiration, sparking contemplation of topics or introducing new knowledge into my awareness. Even in University, where assignments required large amounts of time and energy, the thought-provoking ideas fostered my creativity.

After graduating from post-secondary I spent a couple of months job searching. During this time my writing was incredibly prolific. One story in particular, Land and Sea: A Belle and Ariel Fanfiction, came to life during this period. After obtaining employment my creative pursuits became more limited yet, until recently, I was still able to work on projects and self publish my first novel.

As I undergo soul searching about what direction I'd like to take my life in, I return to thoughts concerning what stages of my existence have been most potent for my writing. I, thankfully, am also reminded of why writing is an important and treasured part of my life.

Stories expose us to what it means to be human – the tragic, celebratory, hopeful, fearful, humorous and miraculous nature of living. Narratives provide insight to the realities of others, without which the world would be unable to function. Fostering understanding, connection and hope are the most influential powers of stories for me. Being reminded of what life is like for others, how deeply unsettling and awe-inspiring existence is, and connecting with the emotions of characters that (usually) do not technically exist is incredible. Even magical.

Yes, it's easy to turn on the TV, play a game, make another tea or participate in any other activity that isn't writing. Yet putting effort into sharing experiences with the world is perhaps the most valuable thing anyone can do.