Inspirational writing has a long history. The 'Epic of Gilgamesh' is the first known fiction. This is a cautionary myth from ancient Mesopotamia depicting the transformation of arrogant Gilgamesh, King of Uruk. The gods send a wild man, Enkidu, as a friend to lonely Gilgamesh and together they travel the world, enduring hardship and having adventures. When Enkidu, dies Gilgamesh is distraught but through the loss of his only friend, he learns the true meaning of life.
Inspirational works were popularised by the invention of the printing press. The earliest were religious tracts, such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1400) and John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (1678). In the 18th century pamphlets, ballads and cautionary tales became hugely popular, hawked on street corners and coffee houses. The Age of Enlightenment drew readers from 'fire-and-brimstone' tracts toward thrilling adventure and romance as the influence of the church waned. Aphra Behn, Mrs Gaskell, the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen wrote social novels that were forerunners of feminist media. Booker T Washington, Mary Prince, Olaudah Equiano wrote about their experience of slavery. Works of autobiography & biography became hugely popular as did popular psychology, spirituality and new age healing.
In our technological age of stress and disconnection of families & social groups, InspirationWorks4U perceives these genres as a means for positive social action, including anti bullying campaigns. Messages of support, reviewers and, of course, purchasers of our works are welcome to contact us. Thanks to modern technology we can accommodate correction of errors, reader comment and new ideas. We want our books to be useful and enjoyable.
Footnote: If you wonder why our Dan Vichente has disappeared, it is because I persuaded him our Campaign is at a crucial point - the long title of 'MY STORY' enables surfers to find us. Dan is sulking but he'll get over it! Meanwhile, he is getting on with [working title], 'The Evil Psychologists'. Carry on Dan the man! Watch Marianne's video - the latest effort to bring a toxic Trust into our vision of a bully-free NHS - and the same for every workplace. ALONE WE ARE POWERLESS - TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.