The Writing Fever
I don’t know how other people do it but when I write … I mean truly write and not just type words … I do it when something grabs a hold of me. I don’t know what it is and I don’t know where it comes from but sometimes, a thought, a feeling, an emotion, a memory, or all them will hit me at the strangest time – in a work meeting, in a dream, in a conversation with a friend, right before I am going to bed or while listening to a song. I have to write it down at that moment before I forget it or it will slip into the forgotten mist of time to be left behind forever, never to be published. That’s why I always keep a notepad and pen with me or my computer so that when these moments hit me, I am ready to record them. As a result, unfortunately, I have notes and notes of stories that are fragmented chronologically and in need of arranging. This is my least favorite part of writing – arranging the fragments. =o/ If only I could find a way to write differently, I could avoid this. But if I did, would the writing be as inspired? Interesting to think about … probably not.
Another fact occurred to me as I was writing the other day. When I am writing about a world in which a story takes place, the world and all the characters in it seem real, as if I am not making them up, as if I am just peeking into this world and reporting what I am seeing. It’s the oddest thing. It’s almost as if the story, the characters and the events exist somewhere on their own, in a different place or a different dimension. It sounds crazy, I know, but when I sit down to write and just type empty words, I know that the words are not coming from that real place. They are just words that I make up. But when that unknown force grabs hold of me and I’m seeing into this real world again, I know that my words are coming from the true inspiration of the story and not something fake or make believe.
For writers, these stories live inside of us and it is our job to bring them out and share them with others.
~ Melissa
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1 Comment
Great description. Sounds like ecstasy, delight and joy all rolled up in one. I have to admit: I’m so left-brain driven that I seldom enter that world of inspired flow. The zone. But I aspire. And I love the results of your travels through the zone.