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Jul. 12th, 2004 01:55 pmI am leaving in a few minutes, will be gone for another week. Sometimes I wonder how on earth I keep up with the crazy schedule I've set for myself. I do like the variety of locales and the constant flow of new experiences...but then there's the problem of not being home enough. My home business has suffered dramatically. (Well, also because of the demon modem, but still...) I think I've been gone nearly three months already this year. Wow.
But then again, I have seen cemeteries all over the country, shared a laugh with complete strangers, and spent lots of time reviewing my narratives and thinking of plots and twists. The time I spend on the road by myself gives me some space to think, to plan, and especially, to daydream. I have always loved daydreaming.
Is daydreaming a waste of time? Well, yes and no. Yes in that nothing productive usually comes from the more fantastical daydreams. But no, in that it makes me think in a narrative flow similar to a story, and that's good practice for writing.
Three kinds of daydreams spring to mind:
1) Super daydreams. Where you have super powers...where you're somehow what you want to be instead of what you are. I always include "revenge" stuff in there as well. Like when you're driving on a freeway and someone does something rude and dangerous and they barely have time to look in the rear-view mirror to notice the grill-mounted homing missiles now heading their way...
2) Planning daydreams. Where you think about what you're doing tomorrow, what you have to get ready, how much laundry you'll have to do...
3) Story daydreams. These are always the most involved for me. For years I have balanced three stories in my head: the superspy story, the fantasy story, and the flavor of the month. In the last few years I have seen the superspy and fantasy story turn into real, engaging stories with interesting plots instead of their original composition (see #1) which was much more Mary-Sue like. The flavor of the month rotates, depending on which guy I have a crush on or whatnot. Right now, of course, it is the fanfic-that-ate-my-life, tLS.
Anyway, I really need to get out the door...I have shopping to do before I leave...and last-second packing as well. Hopefully I'll have some time to come up with a few more plot twists. See you all in a week.
But then again, I have seen cemeteries all over the country, shared a laugh with complete strangers, and spent lots of time reviewing my narratives and thinking of plots and twists. The time I spend on the road by myself gives me some space to think, to plan, and especially, to daydream. I have always loved daydreaming.
Is daydreaming a waste of time? Well, yes and no. Yes in that nothing productive usually comes from the more fantastical daydreams. But no, in that it makes me think in a narrative flow similar to a story, and that's good practice for writing.
Three kinds of daydreams spring to mind:
1) Super daydreams. Where you have super powers...where you're somehow what you want to be instead of what you are. I always include "revenge" stuff in there as well. Like when you're driving on a freeway and someone does something rude and dangerous and they barely have time to look in the rear-view mirror to notice the grill-mounted homing missiles now heading their way...
2) Planning daydreams. Where you think about what you're doing tomorrow, what you have to get ready, how much laundry you'll have to do...
3) Story daydreams. These are always the most involved for me. For years I have balanced three stories in my head: the superspy story, the fantasy story, and the flavor of the month. In the last few years I have seen the superspy and fantasy story turn into real, engaging stories with interesting plots instead of their original composition (see #1) which was much more Mary-Sue like. The flavor of the month rotates, depending on which guy I have a crush on or whatnot. Right now, of course, it is the fanfic-that-ate-my-life, tLS.
Anyway, I really need to get out the door...I have shopping to do before I leave...and last-second packing as well. Hopefully I'll have some time to come up with a few more plot twists. See you all in a week.
