So.

I’m 2 chapters out, and one week away from finishing my revision, and my back aches from sitting at the computer. And there’s no food in the refrigerator. And worst of all, I can’t think about anything except my book. A writer friend assures me that this dire condition is common and even has a name.

But every book I read, every movie I watch, everything people say to me leads me straight back to my book. And occasionally this obsession can be helpful. Inspiration will strike and I’ll finally have an answer for some problem that’s been plaguing me.

But most of the time, it’s fake inspiration. I’ll go into my manuscript to make my brilliant fix and find out that I’d already fixed it. Weeks ago.

Deja aha? Glitch in the matrix? Call it what you will, it’s still annoying. But I have a suspicion that it’s also necessary.

Because if everything, dreams, conversations, meatloaf, reminds you of your book, then you have these moments. When you can hear the underlying tension in your character’s voice. When you can see the crooked smirk and raised eyebrow when they deliver a line. When you can stand next to your main character and stare out the window with them, seeing the same footprints in the wet grass, the same dull blue of the sky, and the very same thoughts running through your heads.

Because the moment you see reality through the world you created… then you’re wearing book goggles.

Posted in Writing

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