When writing, even though I can focus on my surroundings, I often become totally immersed in the story as well. Which means I can be walking on my treadmill and conscious of my surroundings while clearly able to see the characters and their surroundings. Like a movie overlaid on reality. Or being in two realities at once. Which sometimes leads to a bit of confusion when people ask me what day or month it is. There’s always the chance I’ll give the day or month of the story if I’m writing a contemporary novel. Part of that is probably due to the fact I don’t keep track of days in real life as well as I keep track of them in my stories. I do realise the mistake and correct myself immediately, but it can lead to some entertaining moments.
The ability to write while doing other things, including using a voice to text program has meant that I have far more first drafts written than I have published. It takes a lot more time to edit, as well as the cost of having them edited, than it does for me to write a first draft. There are also the stories I’ve written for fun, in between my other projects since somehow when I take a break from writing, I end up writing something else. But to me, it does feel like taking a break as I’m visiting and discovering other locations.
I love the fact I can immerse myself in other worlds, not only while writing, but also while reading the works of other authors. There are so many places and worlds I’ve visited through the words on the page or screen. I really enjoy having the ability to bring words to life in my mind as images that are as clear as the world around me. It means that every day can include a journey to another place, time or reality and be filled with new discoveries.