Daydreams

Sometimes my mom thinks I don’t love her. She’ll start talking about something then suddenly realize that my eyes are glazed over, and I’m staring up into space like I’m listening to an otherworldly message that only I can hear. It’s not because the conversation was boring (although when the subject of tile comes up, I zone out on principle). Something she said triggered a jump into the imaginary world that’s always running on overdrive inside my head.

I find it easier to cope with life if I’m making up a story about whatever circumstances I’m in. When I’m hiking a narrow ridge, I see an epic helicopter shot as I journey across a treacherous wasteland. When I’m working out, the elliptical machine becomes a power source for a makeshift spacecraft, and it’s up to me to get us home. When I’m laying in bed in my rundown apartment, I’m a holed up in a derelict building hoping that the zombies won’t break through my barricade. Yeah, it doesn’t take much to send me spinning into a full-scale, Scrubs-worthy daydream (I’m pretty sure J.D. is my soulmate).

I do a lot of writing on the move. It’s very easy for me to visualize a scene if I’m standing on a cliff top under a sprawling sky or walking down a shady path. Something about the clean scent of trees and the soft touch of wind in my hair makes everything become clear. When I get my heart pumping and my lungs expanding, my mind opens up to all the possibilities. I am free to wander anywhere and everywhere without direction or obligation. My characters start speaking to me. Different threads of the storyline suddenly come together. Problem scenes develop into something dynamic and useful. It’s exhilarating!

Now the trick is keeping my brain focused while I’m with other human beings so they don’t think I hate them! It’s difficult, but I’m learning.