Into the Fire

How many authors do you know personally? By "personally" I mean you've talked and/or communicated with them in person or by email or texting or managed to have a "back and forth" with them on their websites or other social media. 

I've managed to get to know several, some I've met in person and others I've had ongoing relationships with via email. 

Authors can be a fascinating bunch. There are definite similarities but there are equally as many or more differences. 

I know some who are regimental in their writing habits and others who do "story boards" and others who are like me in their "seat-of-the-pants" creating. Some relegate a certain word quota per day or week for themselves. Many do extensive research for their complex stories. Others write an entire first draft without any editing just to get that story "in writing". For a seat-of-the-pants writer, I do edit as I go – that is, I might not edit until a scene is done or until the next day, but I do correct as I go rather than writing chapters before I take a look at what's been written. 

When I'm involved in a story, I'm involved in the story. I think about it all day long, almost in the role-playing mode of my characters. I catch myself staring off into space with a smile on my face "hearing" the interchange between characters, picturing their stances or gestures. Yeah, crazy, I know. 

So what have you learned about authors? If you're an author and see this post, what would you add about us, yourself, or your fellow authors? 

Father, I can't thank you enough for the stories you've given me to tell. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.