Writer’s Anonymous

Sitting on a plush office chair, with one foot tucked underneath my knee, I shifted and acknowledged the room, “Hello.” My voice had been stable and strong, but the look occupying my face was laced with guilt.

“Hello,” The other attendees’ chorus.

“My name is Stasia Porter.”

“Hi Stasia,” They call out again. Some smile, a few wave, and one stays, for the most part, immobile and barely opens his lips as he mutters the greeting.

“And I’m a writer.”

Welcome to this week’s meeting of Writer’s Anonymous. Pull up a chair, introduce yourself, and be ready to receive some of the best feedback. Because, here in this large square white room, we are all in the same boat. There isn’t a single person at Writer’s Anonymous who doesn’t talk to themselves, act scenes out to their dog/cat/bird, or spend hours staring at computer screens with their fingers flying across their keyboard. We hear voices in our heads, some of which who don’t speak English, and lock ourselves alone in rooms so we can write in “peace”… though, I don’t know about you, but those voices in my head never really seem to grasp the concept of “peace”. They talk, yell, scream, throw tantrums, start fights, throw objects around, and give me the worst headache. But, there’s nothing I can do about it.

For those of you who are new to Writer’s Anonymous, I bet this seems a little crazy to you. I can see you there, sitting on the edge of your seat, eyeing the door; wondering if you should bolt now before the ritual sacrifices start.

But, you can rest assured. None of us are crazy.

We’re not mad.

We’re Writers.

There’s a difference.

Though, I admit, sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. LOL

“It has been a month since I’ve blogged.”

A wave of disapproving murmurs traveled through the room. The group in the corner, a few ladies, gave me a dirty look and I immediately shifted uneasily in my seat. “I know, it’s terrible.”

I did have accuses… and good ones too, but I didn’t think those would help my case. I had been a bad author. I’d slacked and gotten behind.

Being a writer is hard work. Most people don’t think so, but it really is. There are thousands of people out there who are always saying “I’m going to write a book” or “I’m going to write a page today” but never do. Those who do sit down, and put in the time, are the true writers. They make writing a major priority. It’s not just their occupation… most of the time it’s their life.

“But, I have been writing.”

That seemed to perk the audience up. Those ladies in the back sat up straighter, so straight that the walls would be jealous, and turned their full attention on me.

“I have a new series in the works.”

It’s a work in progress, but it’s true. I’ve mapped out an entire 10-book-series that has captured my heart… and focus.

My lack of blogging does not mean there’s been a lack of writing… it just means that I haven’t been organizing my time well enough.

“I’ve already written eighteen pages today alone.” I continued.

“Good job,” the cheers automatically start up. “That’s awesome!” “Woohoo!” “YAY!” “Snaps for Stasia!”

“Thank you, Thank you,” I say to calm the hoorahs, “I only took two breaks: one to eat and check on my mom and the other to run.”

The girl beside me, blonde, skinny, grinned, “I love those days.” There was a pen in her hand. She held it tightly as if afraid to let it go… or maybe it wasn’t fear. Perhaps it was there out of habit.

Writing comes natural to writers, but there are times when the outside world just won’t corporate with the writer’s schedule. For me, I love to write when it’s sunny and warm. I push back the curtains, lift the blinds, and open the windows to let some fresh air filter around my office. When it’s icky, gray and snowing… well my creativity clogs and I can’t seem to get more than ten pages out a week.

I am so happy that the sun is out more frequently. It’s not exactly hot. Sometimes it’s not even warm. But the sun is out. The sky is no longer being held captive by those damn gloomy clouds. For the last week I’ve been pushing back the thick curtains that covered my office windows all winter. The sun makes the whole room glow.

“I broke ground on the first book last Saturday.”

The cheers got louder.

On a good writing day (aka, when I don’t have school) I am at the computer at 7. When it’s my choice, I have no problems with getting up early… it’s just when it’s someone telling me to do it that I get edgy. I brew myself some hot chocolate and make breakfast while the laptop (the one without internet access is booting up). Then, I write until noon. Usually I have about ten pages done by then and I take a running/swimming break. After a shower and some lunch, it’s back to the keyboard I go. My fingertips do their dance and edit the pages I’ve done throughout the day.

Then, when Mom gets home, we have dinner and watch a movie together. It depends on if we have other plans, but usually I outline the next day’s pages before calling it a night.

I LOVE those days!!! *grin*

On a not so good writing day (aka when I have school) I don’t get to the computer until around 4. I might write a page, maybe more maybe less, before calling it a night. Really, school kills the voices. They hate it as much as I do… and tell me so when I try to go to sleep… aka my insomnia.

“I feel really good about this one.”

Writing is what I do.

I write because I have to. If I don’t I’d go crazy.

With the sun being out, I’m writing more and more. My new book really excites me. I’m not giving you too much, but I’ll tell you that it’s a werewolf series that I’m positive I’m going to love… remember: always write for yourself first, not for the market.

Well, that concludes this week’s Writer’s Anonymous.

Join in and share your own Writing stories :D

Until Next Time,
Stasia Porter

Until next time,
Stasia Porter