One of the things I absolutely love about being a writer is that I can be stealthily working hard wherever I go. Sure, sometimes to the uninitiated it might look like I’m zoned out, with my mouth half open resembling an idiots as I stare blankly into space. But looks can be deceiving my friend. Don’t be fooled by my apparent inactivity because I’m working baby, and working I’m hard!

Just this morning while I was lying in bed staring at a cobweb on the ceiling, I was toying with a veritable tsunami of thoughts. Yes I could have been mistaken for being asleep with my eyes open but I wasn’t. I was running through some plot lines for the book I’m currently working on, I was getting into the head of a new character I’m creating, I was being an imagineer and I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet!

Inspiration can strike at any time and I happily admit to being its slave whenever it appears. For example, it might seem that I’m following along with your conversation, as I nod my head in all the right places and utter umms and ahhs accordingly. But the reality is I’m not paying you any attention at all. I’m engrossed in a nearby conversation that I’m intently listening in to, I’m trying to remember the juicy dialogue so I can use it in my work later. Be warned, I have sonic hearing like a bat’s – if good dialogue is uttered, or even muttered somewhere close to me, I’ll hone in on it at once.

So there are a couple of keys to unlocking the mysterious and wonderful character traits that I’m sure all of us glorious creatures who call ourselves writers possess. Non writers please remember to A; Respect our genius that is often disguised as a look of utter blankness. We don’t disturb you at work, and now you know how hard we are working in these quiet moments, I’m sure you will show us the same courtesy. And B; Please engage us in interesting conversation – even if you have to make it up! That way you will have our full attention, and we won’t be tempted to listen into anyone else’s. Unless it really is exceptional dialogue, and if that’s the case sorry, aaah yes nod nod!