The fantasy: I knock out a ton of writing at the beginning of the day.
The reality: I’m frequently distracted by email when I first wake up. It seems vital to me that I respond immediately. This takes some time and then abruptly, it’s time to drive the school carpools.
The fantasy: A picturesque writing cottage in a lovely village is my inspiring retreat as I pen timeless masterpieces that will be studied by collegians for generations.
The reality: I write on the go. I frequently write in the car, pediatricians’ or vets’ waiting rooms, the playground (while trying to ensure my daughter is not abducted by strangers) and carpool lines. I’m a paperback mystery writer…fun stuff that’s a good escape. Not exactly The Divine Comedy, though.
The fantasy: After a restful night in the arms of Morpheus, I scribble quickly as my personal Muse prattles on and on.
The reality: I’m a raging insomniac. I rarely sleep more than 3 hours straight. The Muse is never there; I have apparently deeply offended her, so I’m left to my own devices.
The fantasy: I write perfect prose while keeping an immaculate house, neatly attired children, and providing nutritious suppers.
The reality: I write decent first drafts. Draft ten, however, is much better. The house looks fine unless you look too closely (which I don’t advise. Please back away from the refrigerator, sir.) The children do usually pass muster. Supper is hit or miss. Occasionally we’ll have a special occasion, which I call Breakfast for Supper –a charming name for Eggos, cereal, bananas, and pre-cooked bacon. (Oddly, this meal is a tremendous hit with my husband and children.)
The fantasy: A fan of my series approaches me with great excitement, burbling with admiration about my appearance on the Today show.
The reality: I’m recognized by someone who read a write-up in the local paper. Unfortunately, I’d just finished a grueling day of yard work in 95 degree Southern sun. I hardly even recognized myself.
The fantasy: I write for myself at all times. Anything less would be selling out.
The reality: I write for my editors and my readers. Anything less and I would not be selling at all.
The fantasy: I am living my dream.
The reality: I am living my dream. In the real world.
I’m taking a three day break from blogging to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and will enjoy these older posts of mine. :) All the best to my non-American friends, too! This post originally ran May 13, 2009.
Elizabeth – I know exactly what you mean about the fantasay and the reality. My reality is no more close to my fantasy than yours is to your fantasy, but it doesn’t matter. Like you, I find the real world much more fulfilling. This is a really fine post!!
I wonder why so many writers don’t sleep for long periods. When I’m most creative I am up and down most of the night and snatching sleep whenever and I’ve heard this from a lot of writers.
As much as I find things hectic, I know when I’m on a holiday or break I’m not creative. Without all the rush and noise of everyday living my mind shuts down and turns to an unispired goo.
Thanks for sharing this post.
Loved this post. I’m still trying to find my “routine” with my writing. I wish I could write on the go, like you can. I seem to do best when I have absolute quiet (and even better when my feline mewse is sleeping on the perch next to my desk :-).
Love the post. You may not be writing a timeless masterpiece, but your writing gives joy and entertainment to millions of readers for ages to come. You’re one of those people who bring happiness and smiles into the world with your writing. Can’t beat that.
I still don’t by the discrepancy between #4 fantasy and reality. We all know you and your children are perfect!
But I certainly agree with you about the frustrating difference between fantasty and reality. At least we HAVE fantasy. We wouldn’t be very good writers without it, would we?
I took a break as well, but we miss you, Elizabeth!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
What a great post! My kids loved breakfast for supper when they were younger too :)
I love it. Enjoy! Oh and may I live in fantasy land? It’s much more appealing than reality.
Enjoy your break! As for fantasy vs reality – hey – honesty is good for the soul AND the muse, lol
Marvin D Wilson
The fantasy: I write perfect prose while keeping an immaculate house, neatly attired children, and providing nutritious suppers.
The reality: my wonderful children love me anyway and forgive me everything while they encourage me to do what I really want :D
(My husband who does most of the cooking might have enjoyed someone who was not quite as far off the mark, however) ;)
Its all about perspective. I like your last one, I am living my dream. Good for you. Have a great three days off.
Stephen Tremp
Reality is what it is – reality. And, yet, people still have this picture of the writer relaxing in a chair while they dictate the next best-seller to a secretary or furiously typing their book in a week then sending it off to a hungry editor.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Fabulous post!!!
Fantasy: I’m a famous, sought-after author, independently wealthy, endlessly brilliant.
Reality: No one but my family and friends know I’m alive, my family loves my writing – no one else cares, I usually pay the bills each month, and I’m endlessly dreaming. ;-)
Great post. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, deeply rooted in the reality of your family, Elizabeth. I don’t sleep much either, and when I dream it’s often stories that I hop out of bed to jot down before I forget them.
Margot–And will we ever get the fantasy life–and will we be happy if we DO, after we’ve adapted so well to our reality? :)
Cassandra–There must be some switch with writers that doesn’t turn off. It’s very odd. I’ve heard the same thing from many other writers. I’d love to see a figure of writers with insomnia.
Ingrid–It doesn’t matter, as long as your system works for you! I’ve gotten so used to chaos that now I can’t even function in quiet. I have to turn on new age music, or actually leave and go to the library or coffee shop.
Mason–Thank you! I have so much fun with it that I hope I’m passing some of that on. I really appreciate that you felt some of that!
Michele–You’re too sweet! Thanks. And you’re right…we have the dream that’s still there. We just have to adapt to the reality!
Jemi–They think it’s the BEST! Too funny.
Marvin–You’re so right!
Stephen–You too!
Helen–Oh my goodness…a secretary. What wouldn’t I give for one of those?!
Dorte–They are really sweet to overlook our shortcomings, aren’t they? At least they know I’ll cook something really great on Wednesdays (I’m on the Mystery Lovers Kitchen blog on Thursdays.) :)
Elizabeth–Thanks so much! I did…it was really nice spending time with my parents, children, and husband. I know what you mean about the ideas at night–and I always struggle to write them down. I’ll never remember them in the morning.
Debra–I’m with you on that one! Too funny!
Ha ha! It’s good to know the published folks live like us unpublished!
Thanks for sharing.
:)
~ Corra
What a wonderful post! I guess having a fantasy makes reality easier to digest!Imagine how dull it would be with no fantasy at all.