The Real Life Struggles of a Fiction Writer


I slap my phone, the buzzer ringing in my ear. It cannot be six forty-five already. I look at the clock hanging over my closet. It is.
I’m exhausted. I worked a lot the day before and rode Bodie for a good forty-five minutes, then walked a mile and a half. Plus, I was up until almost ten working on a new story idea. Yet here the time comes again- and it’s time to get up.
I could sleep for fifteen more minutes, I decide. I blink. Fifteen minutes have passed. Grrr…
Throwing off the covers, I make my way downstairs and get a large glass of water. My throat hurts. I know I’m coming down with that cold my little sister had. Well, more reading time, I guess.
Setting my glass down, I make my way to the computer and flip it open. I skim my emails, then open up my newest book- and stare at the page.

“You’re going to work on me today, da?
I jump. Whirling around, I stare up into the sweet, round face of Ivan Rodchenko. “Oh, Ivan, you scared me!”
He towers a good foot taller than me. And since I’m sitting, I feel even shorter. Dang… he is tall.
Ivan peers at my computer screen, his hands clasped behind his back. “Why you not work on my story? It is a good story, da? You are going to write in it, nyet?
“Uhh…” I stare hopelessly at the computer screen. “I’m planning on it.”
“Oh, that is good!” he praises. “Though, I am not pleased with… my back-story.”
“Your back-story?”
He nods, putting one massive hand on my shoulder. I try not to squirm under his firm grasp. “I am too mean in my past. Can’t you make me nicer?”
“Well… it kind of moves the story along, Ivan. I’m sorry. But it gets better, I promise!”
“I don’t like it.”
“Well sorry,” I say, exasperated. “But I’m the creator of this story and I do have a say in what goes into it.”
“If you don’t want to write about him, you can always write about us.”
I squeal and swing the chair around to face this new voice. Aichear Mornelly nods to the computer, his wire-brimmed glasses glinting from the light.
“You are more than welcome to continue our story. I am fascinated with what you have planned.”
“Oh. Really?” I manage. “You’re… you’re not mad with your back story as well, are you?”
“I find it perfectly acceptable.”
“You’re saying that to make me look bad, da?” Ivan’s eyes have a dangerous look in them. “I am content with my story too. I just don’t like my past.”
“I’m merely suggesting that she works on ours. I think she’d prefer to,” Aichear responded.
“I don’t prefer any story to another!” I protest. “Honest! I love all of my characters the same.”
“Then why haven’t you come back to work on me?”
This new voice is female. I look across the counter to see Cynthia Worley standing there. Her arms are crossed, her lips pressed into a frown.
“You’re supposed to be working on my story! You left off with a cliffhanger at the end of Free. Now I don’t know what’s going to happen to me!”
“Cynthia, your story ended perfectly!” I cry. “I ended it the way it was supposed to end. You learned what freedom was!”
“But I still want to know what happens next. It’s my life you’re messing with!”
“She’s writing my story right now,” Ivan announces. “You will have to wait.”
“Unless she decides to forfeit yours for a more favorable plot.” 
Aichear is totally expressionless, but I know he’s being mean.
“Or she can get back to mine, which she was supposed to start at least five weeks ago!” Cynthia snarls.
“Guys, guys!” I hold up my hands. “Calm down! I’ll get to all of your stories… eventually.”
“Like mine?”
I sigh and glance over my shoulder, where Tatyana Melnikova has taken a stand next to Ivan. “Yes, Tatyana, I haven’t forgotten about you, either.”
“I’m supposed to be heading to a ball, filled with dread, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. How could you leave me in such an emotional state?” Her eyes are timid and fearful.
“Look, I’m sorry, but I didn’t have time to work with you until I got farther along with Ivan.”
“Because my story is important.”
“No! Because everyone’s story is important.” I shoot a pointed look at Ivan. “I care about all of you.”
“Oh, they’re justified in their worries, m’dear.”
I groan and do a face-palm. “Dzherri, what are you doing here?”
I nearly leap out of my chair as a sword crashes down next to me, slicing into the counter. “Why, I’m here to torment you, my dear Emilia.” Dzherri Kalasky’s grin is like that of a sadistic tiger. He laughs. “You think I so easily have forgotten you, like you have forgotten me? Don’t fool yourself. I know what happens to me. I’m not going to let you do it.”
“You read my story notes, didn’t you?” I say crossly. “I told you not to read them. They just make you upset, because then you know what my plans are for your story."
“Your presence is not required in this meeting,” Aichear informs him. “You are not on the current list of projects.”
“I’d love to see you make me leave,” Dzherri sneers.
Ivan glances at Dzherri, then nods his head towards him. “Shall I take care of him for you?”
“No, no!” I wave my hands frantically. “New idea- why don’t you all leave and let me get to work?”
“This probably isn’t the best time, mate, but I have to wonder if I ever come back.”
“Jake!” I hit my head against the keyboard, the twenty-seven-year-old Australian having taken his place next to Cynthia. “I can’t take much more of this. Sorry, Jake, no. I don’t have any plans for you at the moment.”
“You are leaving us all behind!” Cynthia snaps. “Don’t you care about any of us anymore?”
Ivan opens his mouth to say something, but I put up my hand to stop him. “Yes, I care about all of you! You’re my friends! Of course I want to work with you all! But I have to set priorities.” I swivel around to face Dzherri. “You are not a priority,” I say sternly. “Now leave.”
“Tut, tut, little Emilia, I will do no such thing.”
Aichear steps forward. He reaches for his glasses to take them off. “I suggest you obey.”
“Aichear, no.”
“Why all the ruckus?”
I sigh and shake my head. “Kurt Warren. Why am I not surprised that you’re here as well?”
Warren comes to stand between Dzherri and Ivan, his height almost rivaling Ivan's. “I heard the rallying and thought I’d see what childishness has possessed this character of yours.” He nods to Dzherri.
“Oh, you want to place wise, do you? Well why don’t we get you a sword and we’ll see if your words can keep up with your hand!”
“Why are you even here, Warren?” Cynthia snorts. “You’re not even totally her character.”
“Aren’t you a Nazi?” Tatyana asks timidly.
“Enough!” I explode. “Seriously! If you want me to write in your stories, then you have to leave me alone so I can write!” I stand on my chair so I can see them all. “Cynthia, I will get to your story soon. So stop being so snarky. Tatyana, I’m sorry I left you. You need to work through your fear. I’ll help you out soon. Jake, I miss you a lot. I wish I could spend more time with you and Emily, but I can’t. Same goes for you, Warren. You’ll get your big day soon. Besides, Joy is working on developing your story and you get to cameo in several other works. Dzherri, stop being so mean and go back to where you belong! I’ll attend to you and Nicolai soon. That’s a promise. Now go, all of you!”
With grumbles, hisses and moans, Cynthia, Tatyana, Jake, Warren and Dzherri disappeared into thin air, leaving the room quiet once more.
I sigh and rub my forehead. Glancing at the clock, I read the time. Seven twenty-five. Great. I wasted twenty-five minutes arguing with everyone.
I turn back to the computer and stare at the screen again, reading over the last words I wrote in Ivan.
“So you’re working on my story, da?
Rats. I forgot I left him there. I look back to see Aichear and Ivan staring expectantly at me. “Uhh…”
“Or, if you prefer, might I suggest our story?” Aichear adjusts his glasses.
“Mine is more important.”
“On the contrary, she may get ours published faster.”
“Cheeseballs and apricots, you two!” I explode. Sinking back in my chair, I moan and lay my head on the keyboard. “And people wonder why I take so long to finish anything…”
“Hey! It’s the Excellent Gerhard! Are you going to write anything with me in it?”
“AUGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”


The End


Author’s Note:
The real life struggles of a writer with an ADHD-like mind. This is my life.
And you wonder why I haven’t done any blog posts lately. Yeah…

Comments

  1. What a fun post. I liked it!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed that, Anni. I was literally bantering with Aichear yesterday in my mind, when I thought, "Oh, what if I did a post like that?" :) I'm thinking of doing a series of posts where the blog gets hijacked for a day by one of my characters. :)

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    2. Oh! That would be fun! :)

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    3. Wouldn't it be? Some of my characters would make their posts so funny. Like "The Excellent Gerhard". I don't even want to know what he does to this blog...

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  2. Anonymous5/13/2015

    Haha! Love this post :D

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    Replies
    1. Glad you liked it, my friend! :) Thanks for commenting! I miss hearing from you. :) It's kind of like our old stories, isn't it? ;)

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  3. Lots of fun!
    I'm looking forward to summer and getting more time to write...I have millions of ideas. I lie in bed a night-and my mind is a merry-go-round of ideas. It can actually be almost dizzying. And then I think, "Okay, Indi. We've planned out the summer. No more ideas!" (Too bad-they come anyways!) Ah, well, writer's block is kinda rare! There are SOME advantages!
    God bless (and don't get killed by grumpy, impatient characters!)!
    Indi

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    1. I know the struggle. Soooo many stories in the head and not enough time to write them all down. So I usually write them all down in a document so I don't forget. But then I start writing the actual story because I can't help myself... ;)
      Thanks for commenting and I'm glad you enjoyed this!

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  4. I had to grin over this post. Too many stories and not enough time to finish them all at once! :)

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    1. Haha, yes, you would understand, wouldn't you? From all the writing you do, I can see where you would relate. :)
      Thanks for commenting!

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  5. I loved this post! It made me laugh! To many stories, so little time. . . :D I love all your characters, btw ;)

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    1. I thought of you specifically when I wrote this. You know just about all those characters! ;) I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) I'm always thinking what would happen if my characters would talk with me, so I like to write short clips about it.
      Glad you love the characters and thanks for commenting!

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  6. Sounds a ton like me! Too much to do...never enough time!!!

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    1. Yes, I do believe we have a lot in common in that area. :) Which reminds me, when are you going to do your story post with the entries you received for your writing challenge?

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  7. I am literally sitting on my bed laughing as I read this!! Too funny, Emily! But it's so true at the same time! I can definitely relate! I have like 7 things going right now....sigh..

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this post and laughed, Faith! I'm thinking of letting some of my "friends" hijack the blog and do posts once in a while. I'll moderate what they say, though. I wouldn't want them to get naughty. ;)
      Ah, yes, you relate to the struggles. It's true. When you've got so many ideas and sooo little time, where doe the ideas go? They all start barraging you and telling you to work on them! I don't struggle with writer's block- I struggle with character harassment. They're always telling me to work on them. ;)
      Thanks for commenting! Glad you enjoyed this post!

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  8. This was great, I enjoyed it very much! Wonderfully written!

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    1. I'm glad, Shai! It was really fun to write. My big brother said it made me sound like I needed to be committed, though. ;) He's my brother, so I discredit some of what he says as being "big brother wisdom". ;)
      By the way, I LOVE your pinterest boards. I don't know if I've ever told you that before. Anyways, I love all the things you pin and I get a ton of my stuff from your boards. ;)

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    2. Thanks! I really love all things writing, and pinterest has tons of awesome stuff! I love your blog and can't wait to read more!

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  9. I just posted my Random Questions post! I had a great time participating, hope you can check it out!

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    1. I checked it out and LOVED it! Thanks for doing the post!

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  10. That was funny!
    It looks like I have the same problem everyone else has...lots of stories going on, no time to write, and everyone wanting their story worked on all at the same time! :P ;)
    I'll be watching for those posts your "friends" are gonna be putting up! They sound like they'll be...really interesting... ;)
    Have a great day, and hope you get over that cold soon!

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    1. Opps, I mean "no time to write" ALL of them at the same time. :P (if any time at all...life sure gets busy sometimes!)

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    2. Megs!!! I miss seeing your comments! :D I'm so glad you popped by. I'm glad you enjoyed the post as well. I see everyone suffers from the same problem- character take over. It's such a bother. ;)
      I've been informed by "The Most Excellent Gerhard" that there is a mutiny taking place in Imaginary Land, and I do believe Dzherri is leading the mob. I will try to keep them back the best I can, but I fear a take over...

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    3. Sorry I haven't been keeping up on commenting...I have been reading your posts, and like them! Especially about that story of yours you were talking about! :)
      Oh, that sounds...like a great new post! ;) :D

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  11. I really appreciate your support on this.
    Look forward to hearing from you soon.
    I’m happy to answer your questions, if you have any.


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  12. Anonymous6/27/2021

    Many thanks for your kind invitation. I’ll join you.
    Would you like to play cards?
    Come to the party with me, please.
    See you soon...

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    ReplyDelete

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