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Hair on Fire

Writing With My Hair On Fire

Well, Alex has been having his way with me now for about a week. I’ve been dancing around him, hiding, and he’s found me. It’s all because my story has been supressed too long because I’ve been traveling, and doing other things.

I was answering some emails for my Newsletter (are you a subscriber yet???) and something hit me. I fall in love several times a year with new characters. I mean I do have a mental affair with them. Full on. Yup. And when the book is done, they have left me.

I’m very sensitive about the leaving part because I’m not a quitter. I hate people who quit. Sometimes I should do more of it, but I’ve been mourning the death of my last hero, and Alex has been bringing me flowers (mentally) and coming to bed with me in my dreams and dang it. SO THAT’S WHAT’S BEEN WRONG WITH ME.


I picked up this book about an erotic journal written that the heroine reads, and she is pulled into the journal-owner’s story, until it abruptly ends. I’m not going to tell you the name of the book, because I can’t recommend it – but I bought it because I have a story with some similar elements, Be With Me. It’s about a woman who works in an antique bookstore and has an increasingly real encounter with a 19th Century British explorer. Oh those scenes at the Waterwheel Inn in Kenwood are so damned real, he comes to me, with his handlebar moustache, when I’m swimming nekked in the steamy pool at midnight.

And then it hit me. There is this character sneaking up on me, stalking me, and trying to get hold of my heart, and I’ve been shutting him out.

I love my rich fantasy life, because it’s better than real life sometimes. I go there whenever I can. I like creating the stories as much as reading others, but since I’m a slow reader and a fast writer, it works better for me to make up my own stories.

So now I’ve got this Alex guy hanging around my desk, whispering in my ear, laughing at how manic I become sometimes. He has told me he’ll help me get over the last hero who left me. Because that’s what goes on in the heart and brain of this crazy writer. I fall in love, and they ALWAYS leave me.

But now I’ve discovered the cure: find another fantasy lover. And just like my original Date with Daniel some 6 years ago (an exercise to help me fall back in love with my first hero when I’d fallen for the bad guy), my time with Alex is promising. He’s an adrenaline junkie. He likes strong coffee, loves to sky dive. Loves demolition derbys and loves working in the garden with me. In fact, we picked out two tomato plants, some broccoli, kale and some sweet peas. And he made me order Sweet Potatoes from the catalog along with red “sugar” cherry tomato seeds.

I’m listening to romantic Italian music from the 1930’s and who knows, maybe I’ll go back to that ship in India and go visit the Captain when he stops by the Waterwheel Inn to check on his journal. And then I hear the gypsy music in Prague and I’m all about the vampires again. Oh, what’s a girl to do?

 

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  2. Hi Susan,
    I’m a new follower and I loved reading your blog this morning. I also went back on your website and read the blog just before this one. I am new to writing or I should say new to committing myself to writing. I’m trying to retire from real estate after 30+ years and it has been a struggle to let go. I started in RE in Northern California. Your comments on realtor mentoring and training nailed it…as we are actors that help people.
    My 86-year-old mother has inspired me to write as she has finished and published her book. And…I journal daily and still do after my husband of 45 years had surgeries for a brain tumor and brain infection. He is a retired military officer and airline pilot.
    Thanks again for your blog and inspiration.
    Sherry Kesling

    Reply

    1. Sherry, welcome! I'm so honored you would stop by. Some days it's hit or miss. How nice to see you here today. I've been married 45 years this year too, and can relate to the aging and that whole process (which isn't the fun part). Why can't we be young and vibrant forever? Hard to see the changes, especially when you see how it affects them. And it isn't fair.

      Anyway, Go for it. I didn't start until late. I was a journal writer for years – started when I was 5. This writing thing (living partway in the real world and partway in my fantasy world) is a casualty and also an enhancement when it comes to writing. Like most things, that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. There are definitely days when I write inspired, and luckily this is a habit you create, not something that is real work at all. And then there are days when you're just needy and you have to pick yourself up and fix yourself. That's where I spend a lot of my time.

      Real estate was good to me, but I don't miss it. Being a romance writer you can do at any age. Still, being a writer is a full contact sport and not for the faint of heart, because of how it affects your insides sometimes. Lonely at times, but others filled with warm friends and even warmer sex (in my mind of course). A crazy world. But just throw yourself in and let it rip. That's my advice!! Again, thanks for showing up. I'm glad some are reading this blog at least!

      Reply

  3. If I can't fall in love with the hero I don't finish the book. I love the way some of the heroes I've read over the years still stay with me and make me smile. I love it when authors give me a hero to remember. Keep up the good work Sharon your heroes rock

    Reply

  4. Loved the post! I have many book boyfriends and a few of them stay with me for years like your Coop *sigh*
    just keep writing and I'll keep reading 😉

    Reply

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