I dream of the dreams of writers
By: A. A. Warne
Tags: Author, Speculative Fiction, Indie Author, Writing, Writers Life

I’ve always imagined that writers are fascinating creatures. They sit at beautiful carved desks nestled in bay-type windows over looking the rainy day or watch as raindrops glisten on flower leaves and petals in the sunshine. Either way, there’s always rain involved.

As their expensive soft grip pen silkily dances across the page, words spring to life activating their imagination into reality as vivid worlds of passionate people and exotic landscapes readily prepared for the reader.

Boy, what a vision, right? How does anyone ever live up to that? And yet, here I sit, on a light rainy winter’s day (well, there’s rain!), cold and shivering and avoiding the manuscript to instead write this.

But this is important too… right?

Sure, of course. Because words are words no matter what they’re about or where they end up. *cough

Yes, I know. I’m avoiding the manuscript. No matter how I spin it, I’ll get back to it. But first this: my unrealistic image of being a writer.

This image is just a fancy dream, and my reality is anything but! My office is a cosy downstairs bedroom that lacks natural sunlight, freezing in winter and an oven inducing coma during summertime. One wall is covered in overstocked bookshelves while the floor is somewhat like a maze. Each morning as I carry my fresh oversized coffee mug, I play a game of ‘floor is lava’ as I climb over stacks of books, too often piled knee high without spilling a drop.

So yeah, my office is real cozy.

And no, I’m not a collector maniac (hold on one sec, while I finalise this order. Ha!) or a hoarder. Part of my writing is research.

They forget to add that to the movies.

See a writer’s mind cultivates ideas. A nice stream of ideas come from great literature, fascinating topics, thorough research, and of-course, those who dare to be different and forge new ground.

It doesn’t matter what you research, providing your feeling your brain with fresh new content or you might as well watch the same Netflix show on repeat fro the rest of your life.

Meh.

Without research, the imagination no longer cultivates colour but reverts to black and white, forward and backwards, heck everything of the binary system.

Wake up! There’s always more than two options.

Hold on, I’ve gone off topic. Where were we? That’s right. My silly image of the writer’s life.

Well binary anything is boring and without a constant flow of new ideas, then the brain can’t chug on and create brilliant, innovative ideas.

Heaven forbid, might churn out the same on with different faces.

Double meh.

Another this my image forgot to mention is that sitting in my over crowded office day in and day out creates the dreaded ground-hog day.

Change of scenery would be an epic delight to my day, but silly me has an oversized desktop. Not something I can just pop under my arm for a nice stroll dow to the park.

Anyone got a powerpoint?

Overall, being a writer is not doom and gloom. It’s fun in epic proportions. Sometimes, we dare to dive so deep that we forget who we are or what planet we’re currently residing on.

Then the kids come in, remind me it’s approaching dinnertime, and after I blink a dozen times, centre right back into my office chair and look at the words that magically appeared on my page.

That’s the image all writer’s really want. A flowing manuscript that the characters practically write themselves, and the writer struggles to keep up. Forget nice beautiful offices, with country side views. No one needs that unrealistic pressure. Because no matter where you are — its all about the story and eventually, that polished book.

Now let’s get back to it… that reminds me, I have a manuscript to finish.

Happy writing!

~ Amanda.