Writers' Nightmares

I had a totally bizarre dream last night. A nightmare really. I don't remember the dream much at all except for being chased by some terrifying entity. I do remember waking up with a pounding heart right before the really horrible thing - whatever it was - was about to happen.

And I remember that my first thought was, I'll never write horror novels. How can people write horror if this is where their minds go when they're doing it? Seems I can't escape the need to write even when I'm sleeping.

My eldest is taking her second driving lesson today - a mother kind of nightmare. I know it's a normal rite of passage but driving lessons in a big city are way different than the kind of suburban driving I learned. I'm sure she'll do fine, but thank God for dual-controlled cars!

Happy 4th of July!!

Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Maybe it's the history geek in me, but I love a holiday dedicated to celebrating the highest hopes for our country. Plus it's summer; you've got beaches, barbeques, iced tea, hotdogs and fireworks - what's not to love?

Happy and safe 4th to everyone!

Happiness is...

I was walking my dog tonight - one of those incredible early summer evenings when nature conspires towards perfection. The lowering sun dappled his coat, a slight breeze cooled us, and the wide expanse of summer stretched ahead.

As we were walking, I was noticing the specific things - the simple things - that make him happy. We're in the city and our walk took us up a concrete school block without much nature. But, with school out, weeds had taken up residence between the cracks in the concrete and were growing rather wildly in some spaces. My puppy found those weeds enchanting. He buried his head in the greenness with contagious joy. I found myself smiling to watch him take pleasure in something so simple. Twenty minutes later on another block, he all but buried himself in someone's hedges - all to be one with the green. He's like that in the park as well; he'll sniff the clover and then roll deliriously - almost like he's doing a backstroke through the field.

Of course writing is never far from my thoughts when we're out walking, so I wondered - wouldn't that be a great question to ask the protagonists in a story? What makes you happy? I immediately asked that of my heroine and her answer not only surprised me, it took the book off in a whole new direction. Hmmmm, maybe the puppy needs to go in the dedication page.

Summer

I was talking to a friend today who had just returned from/survived a kayaking trip. She was trying to persuade me that I'd enjoy it. I probably would but it's not at the top of my wish list for summer vacation ideas. I'm much more likely to join her husband on the porch of a beach house with an iced drink and a good book!

Which led me to wonder... what makes the perfect vacation?

June

Wow, it's June already. I seem to be doing about once monthly blogs here while school is in session - probably because whatever part of my energy isn't focused on school is focused on actually writing a story. But in three weeks I'll have summer vacation - long lazy days to read, write and catch up on sleep.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.

Springtime

Identifying the various things that inspire the writer in us intrigues me. It might be color of a stormy twilight sky - more pewter than indigo, but not either alone. Or the lilacs I just saw on my walk with the dog. They're the first of the season around here and they reminded me of the opening scene of my WIP. Sometimes it's a cup of tea and a rainy afternoon (though that's mroelikely to inspire the reader in me).

If you happen to wander by - now or 6 months from now - let me know. What inspires the writer (or reader) in you?