How do you keep the balance between that little world in
your head and the real one?
 |
| Gabby not caring if I'm off in my own little world |
Honestly? Not terribly well. This is something of a drawback
when I’m doing something requiring my full attention – like driving, for
example – so that’s when I do my best to clear my head of the made-up places I
inhabit, and focus on the real world about me. (I’m sure everyone on the road
will be glad to know that!).
 |
| Poppy ignoring me |
But even then – yes, even then – there’s a little part of my brain that won’t turn away from
whatever it is I’m working on, and I have been known to have “Ah-ha!” moments
when behind the wheel. Of course, I need both hands to operate my vehicle, so
writing a quick note to myself isn’t possible. My solution? I phone myself
(hands-free, of course) and leave a message. Yes, that’s the only way I won’t
forget what – at the time – I believe to be possibly the best idea I’ve ever
had.
Usually, whether I’m working through the day or night, being
in the world I’ve invented is not a problem; the dogs at my feet don’t seem to
care, and the dishes in the sink can wait a while. I especially enjoy driving my
tractor mower, slicing the top off our acres of grass, while I ponder the
regions of my fantasy world, and weeding? Oh weeding is wonderfully soothing
when I’m plotting.
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| Me on my mower! |
When I’m spending time with my family I do my best to not
stare off into space for too long, because then then know they’ve lost me…and
that’s not fair to them. We all have little enough time together as it is, so I
owe them my mental as well as physical presence when we’re able to enjoy each
other’s company.
Usually, therefore, I live a life in which the balance is
allowed to be “off” – where I’m able to constantly and fully inhabit my
make-believe world. And the mental gymnastics I perform to be able to give
myself, fully, to my family – and friends – is as nothing, compared with the enrichment
I get from my infrequent interaction with real human beings.
Cathy Ace is the Bony Blithe Award-winning author of The
Cait Morgan Mysteries (#8 The Corpse with the Ruby Lips was released on
November 1st) and The WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries (#3, The Case of the
Curious Cook, was released in hardcover in the UK on November 30th and in the
USA & Canada on March 1st). You can
find out more about Cathy, her work and her characters at her website, where
you can also sign up for her newsletter with news, updates and special offers:
http://cathyace.com/
5 comments:
The dogs don't care what 'world' you're in in your head as long as you're in their world in the physical world. They just want to hang with you while you write and maybe act as muse. :-)
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Yup, I find it a delicate balance too. Great post, Cathy.
It's a good thing this wasn't my week to blog. Mine would have been the shortest post on record. It would have said: I don't.
Don't plot & drive! - good idea. But it's a safe time to think up names for characters I think.
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