I have been reading articles about writing. It reminds me of the story of the blind men describing an elephant. Each one had a different experience of the elephant. One described the trunk as being like a rope. Another described the leg as being like the trunk of a tree. Yet another described the ear as being like a palm frond. Each writer describes the relationship that they have developed with the written word an how they get it on the page.
One piece of advice that I’ve read more than once is to figure out what each character wants. This appears to be sound advice and serves to explain some of my struggles as a writer. How can I succinctly state what my characters want when I am having trouble figuring out what it is that I want. I know, I’m supposed to figure out what the characters want but it’s not required that the character knows what they want themselves.
In fact, it’s a useful plot mechanism to have the character be on a quest to figure out what it is that they want. An example of that is Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ. She realizes that what she really wants is to go back home. I doubt that is the heart’s desire of any of the characters in any of the stories that I am working on right now but it does serve as a starting point to think about what they do want.
As for me, I want to write, whether on my blog, or stories or articles to sell. I also want to write code. Whether it is for profit or just the edification of writing software that I, and maybe others, find useful. It is an obsession, similar to those that some people have for prospecting, or travel, or mathematics. There are many different obsessions that motivate people. I probably have as many as some and more than others.
I am looking for a way, both economically, and professionally to wrap up my obligations to my current job so that I can move on to the next phase of my life. I am happy when I am writing, be it prose or code. I have responsibilities, both to myself, my family, and my colleagues. I don’t intend to let any of them down. I just need to find the courage and the way to execute this tricky maneuver.
In the short run, I need to find ways to increase the productive use of the time that I have. I need to make time for all of my passions and concentrate exclusively on each one when I am doing it and then move on to the next. There are plenty of people that are willing and able to help me if I’m honest with them and myself. It is calming to come to such clarity about my life. And it is edifying to share my moment of clarity with you, my readers.
Sweet dreams, don’t forget to tell the ones you love that you love them, and most important of all, be kind.