Imagine you're standing in front of a mirror. C'mon indulge me for a second ... you'll see where I'm going with this soon enough... I would tell you to close your eyes but theres an obvious problem here... you can't read this with your eyes closed, hahaha!
So where was I? ...Oh yes! You're standing in front of a floor length mirror. Imagine you're wearing your favourite outfit, your hair is perfect, you're skin is radiating with the natural glow of summer, imagine how you're feeling in that moment.
Now imagine you've left the room and you literally run into someone who can only be described as a divine specimen of the human race. In that moment as your shoulders clash and the force of the blow, mixed with your parents insistance that you will grow up with manners, you twist around to apologise... in that one second when your eyes meet and you whisper a few courteous words... you realise that Mr/Mrs "Sex on Legs" has completely, totally, and utterly just undressed you with their eyes. I want you to imagine how incredible that feels.
Hold on to that feeling while l bring you to my point ...
"They", whoever they are, says that everyone has a book in them. There are many people who say they would love to write a novel. When I tell people that I am writing a novel the admiration, respect and support from people whom I least expected it from is sometimes overwhelming. It amazes me that so few of us actually do it. Why?
When taking on this challenge, no matter what is promised to you by others, there are no cheats in this industry. There are no quick fixes or magic formulas. There are, however, people who can tweak the recipe and there are people who can teach, and there are also people who may not teach but you can learn from anyway. There is a vast encyclopedia out there ready to help you turn your problem potion into to a magic spell just ready to be cast. You can touch the rest of the world with written word. But ultimately its you, sitting in a lonely room, typing away and creating a fictional world that you hope people will enjoy.
The deeper you travel in your imaginary world, the more you will want to be there. The more your characters come to life the more intricate everything has to become. Even the most outrageous fantasies need to be realistic and believeable. Suddenly, what was once an enjoyable hobby is a massive time consuming, thought provoking, tears and tantrums creating war against the dream of becoming a published writer. Sounds like hard work, doesn't it?
Maybe this is why people don't write novels. Maybe this is why people make their excuses and never get around to writing. Well, I have something to say to all those who say they'd love to write a book, but never do.
1) Forget about the planning, forget about the characteristics, and forget about what everyone else tells you about how you should write.
2) Sit yourself down, somewhere you're alone and without distractions - maybe a little chill out tracks playing at a low volume, if that works for you - and dont forget that all important something to write with.
3) Just let go. I mean it, forget everything you've ever been told about everything. JUST LET IT ALL FLOAT AWAY AND FREE YOUR MIND.
Now put pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard and let your inspiration go for a walk into fictionworld.
This is your imagination, you can go wherever, whenever, however, with whoever and do whatever you want to... If you want to jump off the Eiffel Tower without a parachute and survive you can... (please do not try that in the real world ... its not recommended!) But if you can come up with a plausable explanation, lets say your character has the power to burst into rain and reform unharmed from the puddle the water droplets he or she makes. Then surely, anything is possible?
I'm not going to profess that I have all the answers in the world of writing, I'm no JK, William, or even a published writer, but I don't need to be to tell you that despite all of the nightclubs, theme parks and extreme sports in this world, and no matter how many times the god-like divine specimen undresses you with their eyes... do you still remember how that feels after all this time? No...? Well it feels like your floating on air and can accomplish anything.
I don't think you'll find another adrenaline pumping, thrill seeking confidence buidling emotional rollercoaster better than the one you can create with your mind.
As for the rest of it...? Well, you can worry about later.
Erin
Go on ... I challenge you to release the writer within ... if you dare!
Posts
Most people who say things like that don't realise how much hard work it is!
ReplyDeleteAlthough it might be true that everyone has a STORY to tell, not all of those stories would make good books, and not all of those who have the stories are good at telling them. :)