When I started blogging last year as a segment of my 50 Adventures at 50, I started to realize just how much I love writing. During the many years I taught writing, I knew how much I appreciated the word put to print, but I never really allowed myself the time it takes to truly become immersed in the craft. The passion was just reposed in patience, waiting for its time to emerge into full-blown glory. Welcome, passion...glad you're here.
Not a day goes by that an idea for something enters my head as an idea for writing. Just as with photography where the eye becomes a trained scout for the next photo, the mind and all the senses train themselves to lend ideas. The ideas come from anywhere and anything at anytime. Sometimes they disappear as soon as they arrive. Sometimes they linger until I can try them out to see if the idea will develop. I've often been told and thought to myself that I could/should write a longer works--a novel. A daunting idea. Nevertheless, I've toyed with the idea for some time, getting immersed in one plot after another. However, earlier today I was on the treadmill, listening to my beloved geeky podcast and thinking how I'd move some furniture around in my little salon after finishing my workout, when something was said in regard to a tech person who wrote a dynamic work of science fiction. The simple words, "Write what you know" resonated with me. And the idea for a novel immediately came to me, strong and clear. It has stuck with me all day and developed itself as I've gone about my work and a million other thoughts. I think this one is the "keeper."
For several years, I've gone into hyper- thought as November drew near and NaNoWriMo approached. Writers will recognize this time at National November Writing Month; a month of madness where writers, artists, and hacks from all over the world write feverishly for 30 days with the goal of at least 10,000 words. Many achieve the feat; I'm one who never has. I've started many times, but the ideas wither time after time much like scenery during the month of November. The novel seemed out of reach. But no more.
It's funny, really..,How many bazillions of times have I heard that phrase and used it myself as advice to others? "Write what you know." I've pondered this thought over and over for many years. Why did the idea finally come to me today? Who knows...who cares...it came today. I have a novel idea...at last.
