The process of writing, in my world and mind, is like a revolving door. I always thought those were cool as a kid. Especially when I got through and then stopped the door with a foot while my sisters were trapped inside. I have found that once you open the door to your story, it will soon become as much a part of you as you are of it. People, places, and things become a part of that story also. The story visions that come to me at night began to take form in the light of day. As with night visions, day dreams can often be played and replayed and replayed, in your mind, as you exact and hone the scene until you have the opportunity to put it on paper. And, even as you think you have refined that particular scene, you discover later that it will probably change again.
My current dilemma is that since I was born good looking instead of rich, I still have a day job and what I really want to do is write. But I know that time will come as well. Having been an avid reader all of my life, I started asking myself, “What makes me want to read a particular book?” “What makes it a page turner?” These are important questions, as you start writing, that previously were just unconscious decisions. My answer, a good story that tugs at the emotions or that smacks of some truth for the potential reader, something they can relate to. Many of the emotions that end up coming forth in the Prophecy were extracted from my own heart. How can you convey through words, to someone else, the emotion of getting your heart broken if you’ve never had a broken heart? If you’ve never felt the desperation or loneliness when that special person walked out the door. How can you explain, again in words, the feeling of watching the sun clawing it’s way to freedom from the clutches of the morning fog, if you’ve never taken the time to actually witness a sunrise like that. And last but certainly not least, conflict. That’s what makes me want to turn pages. “How are they going to get out of this mess?” “Why did she choose him, instead of me?” I always have to turn the page to find out.
I hope you do as well. Stay thirsty my friend.