She said that a story just up and started to unfold, right there, without her trying to conjure it up, and that these characters continue their own story every day all on their own. She simply writes down what they're doing and saying after she listens in on them.
Back when we had this conversation, my friend had written over 250 pages. In 3 weeks.
Dude.
She had no dream or intention of writing a book. It just kinda happened to her, and now she's got the bug and she just can't stop thinking about her book and she can't stop writing.
Uh yeah, I'm totally jealous. I'm not gonna lie.
I do want to write a book. I've wanted to write a book for a really long time. Trouble is, whenever I have an idea, it's usually non-fiction and my passion for it quickly wanes. Or maybe my confidence fizzles out. Or maybe both.
In the last few months, I've been fantasizing about writing fiction for the first time in my life.
So. Since talking to my friend, when I wake up each morning, I open one eye and peek around the room, hoping my characters have arrived. They haven't shown up yet. I kind of want to call out for them, but because I haven't met them, I don't know their names. And also, Ryan would think that I've finally totally and completely lost my mind if I was yelling out random names and then he would send me to an institution and even though that sounds kind of nice and a little like a vacation in which I don't cook, I don't want to go.
Anyway, I can't think of anything (besides mothering and wifing, duh) that I'd rather do than to get lost in writing a book. Even if I really don't have any idea how to write a book. I figure I'll take my heart with me on the journey and just spill it out....once Carmen and Lindy show up.
Nope. Those aren't the right names for my characters either, I was just trying them out.
By the way, you don't have to tell me that an idea will come in time and be patient and all that. And you don't have to tell me that I'd be good at writing a book even though I have no "training" and would make an editor want to stick forks in his eyes. You don't have to say anything. Unless it's a killer plot idea. Like maybe magical characters visited you in the wee hours of morning, but you just have no time to write and so you want to pass your brilliant gift of a story on to me. You can totally do that.
Also. About my friend: I'm truly happy for her. What a gift! She is a friend I've had for years, I was her maid of honor on her wedding day, she totally gets me and I her, and I love her.
And guess what? Her main character's name is Miles and yes, he's named after my firstborn. (ahem. royalties.)
Maybe this name fact will be my one and only writing claim to fame after my friend's book hits the big-time. And you know what? That would be enough.
(Did you get that? That was me, shoving away my jealousy and being a gracious friend.)
(But only because she named her miraculous morning visitor character after my boy.)
(That was a joke. Kind of.)
(And yes, Ann. I'm also mad at you for your incredible talent and passion and sudden book-writing.)
(I'll stop with the stupid parentheses now.)
(See? I should NOT write a book.)
(And I call myself a wrogger, which means I'm saying I'm half writer-who do I think I am?)
