Heroes

Hi, and welcome to my blog. My name's Angela, and I'm an East Coast freelance writer and editor.

I'm not 100% sure what I hope to accomplish with this blog. I imagine I'll talk about writing and editing quite a bit, as well as my other main hobby: nonprofessional community theatre. So if you're a fellow writer, or you're interested in any of these things, I hope you'll stick around.

Because I hate introductory posts with a passion, that's all I'm going to say for now as far as who I am. You'll get to know me, and I'll hopefully get to know you, more as this blog grows. So instead of giving a whole bunch of uninteresting factoids about myself, I'd like to ask a question for my new readers.

Who is your greatest inspiration? If you’re a writer, who or what inspired you to write? If you’re not a writer, who is your hero? Who makes you aspire to be a better person?

For me, my inspiration has always been Jim Henson. I was a child of the 80s, so I watched “Sesame Street” and “The Muppet Show” when they were in their heyday. I’d watched every Muppet movie and had tons of Muppet records, toys, games, you name it. As an adult, I’m still a fan. Jim Henson’s work inspires me daily, both as an artist and in my everyday life.

I’m not a children’s writer. I don’t have kids of my own. Yet the messages spoken by these little felt puppets still affect me on a deep, personal level, even as an adult. And I think it’s because the overarching theme of “The Muppet Show” and old-school “Sesame Street” was that everyone is special, deserves happiness and love, and shouldn’t be afraid to pursue their dreams.

“It’s not easy being green…[but] it’ll do fine. It’s beautiful, and I think it’s what I want to be.”—Kermit the Frog

“Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear—just sing, sing a song.”—Sesame Street

“Life’s like a movie, write your own ending.”—Kermit, “The Muppet Movie”

As a writer, I’m always struck by the simplicity of Muppet dialogue and lyrics. Henson never felt like he had to keep kids’ attention by throwing lots of bright, flashy things at them. And he never talked down to them. And it worked. It’s been over 20 years since I was first introduced to Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Fozzie Bear, and Kermit the Frog. But they’ve stayed with me. I can’t even tell you how many brighter, flashier things have faded from my memory completely.

Jim Henson has absolutely affected my writing style. I strive to keep things simple and honest, and to stay as true to myself as possible while simultaneously pursuing my dream to be a full-time writer…a dream I’ve had since I was eight years old.

And now I'm dying to know...who’s your greatest inspiration?