Reality can be a bitter pill to swallow for us creative types. How many times have you been on Pinterest and seen the quotes by avid readers and writers about how they’d rather stay up all night to be immersed in their favorite stories, rather than be well rested for work? Or many will say they feel more for the characters in their favorite book, over people in real life? Then you have writers who will joke about the “friends” in their heads that provide constant inspiration and banter for stories. I know I can definitely relate.
Are we a little nuts? Well, as Alice would say, “I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”
Truth be told, stories are a great way to escape the pressures, problems, and pure mundaneness of life. However, we can’t forget the world around us. We need to “come to grips” with our reality, because like it or not, reality is what fuels our stories. Here is another anecdote for you. Have you ever met a brilliant artist who lived a life of ease and tranquility? I’d wager you haven’t. Many of them spent the majority of their tortured lives in a drug or drink-induced stupor and while I wouldn’t advocate that route, I say there’s a silver lining to reality. Yeah, it sucks 9 times out of 10, but if you have to wade through the muck, keep a writing utensil and paper nearby. Or, if that pen gives you grief, take notes on your phone or computer. Whatever is going on in your life, good or bad, see how you can use the theme, problem, or even conversations as writing fuel. If life is gonna give us lemons, well…we might as well get a best selling novel out of it.