I'm so grateful to have the kind of imagination that takes me far far away from reality. I think I would have gone crazy, become chronically depressed, or worse if I didn't have this ability. Real life is hard, and sometimes it's so bad you want to curl up in a ball and cry.
That's why I love to read books that are not in contemporary settings. Fantastic places, or back in time, anything but a reflection on what real life is like. I have to get away. I can't run away from reality, and truthfully, I don't try, but I do need a respite in order to survive.
That is why I enjoy world building so much when I write. It gives me a sense of control, and being the creator of these unique places makes me feel ... safe.
I'm certainly not going to give a laundry list of my circumstances. Needless to say, we all have rough patches, times when we are pushed beyond what we think we can handle. And it's wonderful when we take that one more step we don't think is possible because we then know we can go further than our expectations. It's growth. Understanding that also helps when writing. We know how to push our characters and we don't baby them because we know they can also take that one more step.
I expect to grow a lot in the next few months. Fortunately, I have soaring vistas, beautiful gardens, fantastic creatures, and irresistible characters to explore. It's a blessing, and it's why I write.
How about you?
That's why I love to read books that are not in contemporary settings. Fantastic places, or back in time, anything but a reflection on what real life is like. I have to get away. I can't run away from reality, and truthfully, I don't try, but I do need a respite in order to survive.
That is why I enjoy world building so much when I write. It gives me a sense of control, and being the creator of these unique places makes me feel ... safe.
I'm certainly not going to give a laundry list of my circumstances. Needless to say, we all have rough patches, times when we are pushed beyond what we think we can handle. And it's wonderful when we take that one more step we don't think is possible because we then know we can go further than our expectations. It's growth. Understanding that also helps when writing. We know how to push our characters and we don't baby them because we know they can also take that one more step.
I expect to grow a lot in the next few months. Fortunately, I have soaring vistas, beautiful gardens, fantastic creatures, and irresistible characters to explore. It's a blessing, and it's why I write.
How about you?
I'm so sorry for whatever is making you feel horrible :( But writing, and this community, is there for you. I like writing contemporary for now, but once I get in a bad way, I fall back into Harry Potter, and now I think I know why - I need an escape. That's why fantasy is so important and I didn't realize it until now, just how important it could be. Thank you for this, seriously! I kept thinking contemporary was more important because it's 'real' but now I realize... what's better? The pain, or the relief?
ReplyDeleteThanks, SC.
DeleteYes, most people I know prefer escapism to realism, especially when times are tough. You know, that may be one reason why dystopian fiction didn't peak as long as it could have. We kind of plunged into a semi-dystopian state.
Yes. This.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I could write contemporary fiction, but then I remember how the alternate realities have helped to push those times best forgotten.
May the worlds continue to help you survive, bring a smile and give you the respite we all deserve.
Thanks, T.J. They do help, so do the worlds created by other people when I read their work.
DeleteAll of this. lol
ReplyDeleteI write fantasy to escape reality. When I write contemporary, it's dark and sad anyway, so I'd rather not.
Yes! I've tried a time or two to write contemporary and it's too easy to get bogged down into the dark, gritty side we know first hand. It brings out unpleasant emotional side effects in me, and subjects the people around me to irrational bursts of angst. So I don't touch the stuff any more.
DeleteDitto. I don't like contemporary. It's just too dreary and there's enough of that without having it shoved in your face by a book.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Joyce. We all miss you at marathon this year and can't wait for life to give you a breather. Long distance hugs coming your way.
Thanks, Michelle. I'm so disappointed about Marathon and am trying to feel grateful for the four weeks that I participated.
Delete