Let me start by saying that

[Nathaniel Phillips]

I am not actually clinically insane

Tonight I just finished the first draft of my new book. For me, the writing experience is not thinking about what to say next and typing it. I get completely sucked into my stories when I write. The characters and real people who live in a real place. It all just happens to be inside my head. When I write, I am THERE with my characters in their world. When something distracts me from my writing, I find myself startled that I am still sitting in front of my laptop, because a moment ago I was somewhere else.

Last night I reached a point in my story that was sad to the point of being heartbreaking. I cried so hard while I was typing that I could not read my laptop screen. I had to keep going and hope that my fingers were finding the right keys.

Now that I have finished, I feel as though I have said goodbye to good friends who I may never see again, save for in memory.

Plus, I have fallen head-over-heals in love with the main character of my book. I just hope that when other people read it, they fall in love with her too.

So, should I check myself into the funny farm?

[Julie Harris]

No funny farm necessary. It's a completely normal scenario considering the weird kind of work we do i.e. tell big porkies and sometimes get paid for it.

A best selling Australian author once likened the process to sitting under a waterfall of words. Perhaps that's true for some, but my process sounds like yours - transcribing the 3D, Technicolor Scratch n Sniff movie playing in my head.

I tend to talk to myself a lot. I also growl, hiss and spit at interruptions, unless said interrupter bears coffee.

It's really nice to know I ain't alone. I'm still in love with two male characters I created over 20 years ago.

Well done. Ah, but now the fun begins. Editing. Rewriting. Polishing...
Julie.

[anita]

Oh my goodness, Nathaniel! I could have written your post when I finished my first novel. I had the plot all laid out and as I fell in love with a particular character, I decided that my female lead wasn't good enough for him (even though she was very loosely based on me). I have all sorts of parallel stories that feature that character still in my head. I don't know that I'd ever be able to hook him up with anyone else because I think he should be MINE!

If you belong in the funny farm, then I do too!

By the way... I did figure out a way to keep writing about the love-of-my-fantasy-life. I include a glimpse/scene of him in almost every straight story that I write. I've even toyed with the idea of killing him off because no woman will ever be good enough for him!

Congratulations on finishing your story. Farewell to a great passion...

[ahpellett]

As another man, thank you for saying this first. I've experienced this (wet eyes only ) - not so much love of my character as much as touched by the scenario. I'm saving my love of my character for my next novel. I plan to instill in her all the values I cherish in women (and for the most part, they will be honorable ). Keep an eye out for it ladies. It may be the secret to my heart! PS I better shut up now . I'm married.