Caught Talking to Myself…

 

By YA Author Andrea Buginsky

Has this ever happened to you? You’re sitting in a room all by yourself having a conversation. Someone walks in, gives you a strange look and says, “Were you talking to me?” You innocently say, “No,” and return to the conversation.

If this has happened to you, you’re probably a writer. As writers, we often talk to ourselves. Only, we’re not actually talking to ourselves, we’re talking to our characters. Actually having one-on-one (or two-on-one, or three-on-one…) conversations. We can really get into a discussion with our characters as though they’re actually sitting right there in the room with us.

There have been times when I’ve been embarrassed to have had this happen. There I’ll be, talking to my characters when someone walks in the room. I’d get quiet and try to pretend nothing’s happening. After all, I didn’t want the person walking in on me to think I was a lunatic or something. But lately, I’ve learned I’m not alone in this trait. It’s a trait many writers have, and most of them relish in it. So, I’ve decided I’m going to learn not to be embarrassed by it, and just let it happen.

Many of your stories can come out of these great conversations with your characters. They can tell you a lot of things about themselves and their stories that you may not have known. Listen to what they have to say. Grab a notepad and pen, because you’re going to want to jot down what they say for later. Believe me, if you really get into a conversation with them only to forget about most of what was said when you’re sitting in front of your computer ready to write it all out in your book, you’re going to really hate yourself. And since these conversations can even take place in your sleep, or just as you awake in the morning or from a nap, you’ll want to keep a notepad and pen on your nightstand too. Oh, and one in your purse for when they start talking to you in public.  Now, that can be really interesting to have happen….

So the next time you find you having a chat with your characters don’t be embarrassed! Have a good time and see what they have to tell you. Curl up and get ready for story time!

Andrea Buginsky is a freelance writer and author. “The Chosen” was her first book, and was followed by “My Open Heart,” an autobiography about growing up with heart disease. “Nature’s Unbalance” is the second story in THE CHOSEN series. Andrea plans to write more in the series. She’s already done with the first draft of book 3 and has a concept for book 4. You can find Andrea on her website, Andi’s Realm. Her books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.