Other Outlets

I've learned something horrible.
Something downright distressing.
Ladies and gentlemen, editing doesn't leave much room for the imagination.
Sorry, was that not what you were expecting?

But it's true. While, yes, there is some imagining involved in editing, there isn't much. It's mostly analytical, grammar-induced changes. Far cry from writing or plotting. Due to this lack of use, my imagination has found others ways of expressing itself.
Through poetry.
It all began with a poem I wrote for my dad upon his graduation. Since then, my mind has sparked random lines of poetry. Nothing long or epic, just short, pretty verses. The kind of things you'd see on Pinterest.

e.l.layne is me, in case you were wondering

Which is why I created a Pinterest board to keep track of my non-rhyming dalliances. Click here to check it out!
I've only written three poems so far. I don't force the words, instead allowing inspiration to strike when it dares. Which happens to be at rather inconvient times, might I add.
Poetry is certainly a nice change, but I'm looking forward to planning a trilogy that I've got lurking in the back of my mind. As soon as I finish editing WISHES, MAYBE, plotting can begin!

Woops... I Forgot

While I was getting ready for work this morning, my sister, clad in PJs and sporting adorable bed head, whipped out her phone and declared, "You were talking in your sleep last night, and I wrote it down."

 
Apparently (though I will always deny it), I am a notorious sleep-talker. After sharing a room with me for seven months, my sister has finally caught on to this. And now, whenever I make the slightest mumble, she jots it down as a note in her iPhone.

Last night I said the following, "Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness! They really wrote on the basement walls, didn't they!?"

Cinderella sure got her song wrong. I don't want anyone writing on any walls. Especially not basement ones with who-knows-what. Yes, my mind immediately went to blood. I'm a pessimist with a dark imagination, so what?

                              

Dreams are crazy things. Scientists still aren't quite sure why or how we dream. But we do. And dreams hold excellent ideas for writing a book.

In fact, my current WIP? You know, the twist on "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"?

It all started from a dream. Not that the dream necessarily had anything to do with Wonderland. But it did have to do with crossing worlds and a debonair young man. Vampires and soul-stealers were also involved. Thankfully the idea went through quite a metamorphosis during plotting!

This isn't the only dream I've had that I thought would make a good book. Only, with most dreams, I forgot what they were about. Or, while daydreaming, I've thought up a great dialog line. But then started doing actual thinking and lost it. Even after I swore I was going to remember it. Five minutes later? Nothing.

Ever happen to you?

There is one cure: a journal. Whether it be a physical journal or an app on a smart phone... INVEST! Keep it close to you at nighttime to write dreams down. Carry it in your purse (or guys... a pocket, maybe?) to pull out when inspiration strikes.

So invest the $1.99 (or if you're feeling fancy, a bit more). It's immeasurably worth it.

Not Just A Hobby

Okay, everyone. Raise your hand if you're a full time writer.

                                                     

Uh, huh. Yeah. Riiight. Put that hand down.

 Chances are, you have to squeeze in time to write. At the end of the day. When you're dead tired, and you'd much rather be sleeping. Yet you write. Why? Because you love it. The way you somehow pull together those perfect words, that clever dialog, that spine-tingling romantic scene... It's like magic.

Very few writers are able to classify writing as their full time job. Half the time it's not even a part time job. More likely it's a "Oh, I have a free hour. Better write!".

Which so totally and completely stinks. Especially since it leads to the idea that writing is just a hobby, something you do for fun on the weekends.

Hello, no! Writing is serious business. It consumes your life. There is no such thing as vacation or "taking a break". It's like walking around with your boss handcuffed to your wrist for the rest of your life.

But a boss that happens to be your best friend who you love more than anything. It's the perfect job. Unfortunately, it's not always do-able. Something called bills and little green rectangles called money get in the way. We can't all be J.K. Rowling or Suzanne Collins.

At least... not yet. They started out unpublished, unknown. Just. Like. Us.

So, if I could have one ultimate career wish? I don't want to be a CEO, a multi-million dollar shareholder. No. If I could?

I'd wish to be a full time writer.