One Author, Three Brains.
Believe it or not, writing is not only a job--it's a difficult one.
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I thought being an author would be...different.
Not that I'm complaining...much, but it's harder than I thought it would be. More involved and in my haste, I realized I was just like the people that annoy the living crap out of me right now. The one's who assume that throwing some words on a page is called writing.
Uh, no.
Believe it or not, writing is not only a job--it's a difficult one. At least if you want to be good at it and make money at it (so I'm told, anyway). Yet many assume you have all this free time on your hands because "he's just a writer".
My goals have been so simple. I don't want to reveal what they are, because I don't want to look like an idiot. However, I will share something important that I've learned during this process of becoming a writer. That's the difference between your brains. Yes, I mean brains as in plural. People already think I'm a loon, so I have nothing to lose here--follow along.
There are three brains that I have had to deal with. The first is my writer brain. That's the creative genius...or at least his half-wit cousin that plays a banjo. I use the writer brain to plot, to craft, to shape and generate a world and everything in it. That brain has characters that talk and walk and have conversations with me at all hours of the night. That brain sketches worlds and wonders which I still get chills about. It's also the brain I like to listen to often.
The second brain is the priority or reality brain. That's the one that knows a clock's ticking and no matter what your loves, dreams and goals are, bills will come and bills have to be paid. It's the brain that says "you need a job, Jack, or move your sorry butt faster and get these books done NOW!" Brain two keeps the tally going of all the in and out's of financial matters, agreements and debts both through written and honorable handshakes (yes, these still exist).
The third brain is the most important to me, but also the most painful and even destructive. It's the love brain. The one that's a father, a husband and it reminds me, not only of all those who believe in me and encourage me...it reminds me when I'm not working fast enough. It will scream that I'm letting those same people down. It's the brain that shouts at me to create a schedule, not to be more productive, but to create more stability in the lives of others. This is the self-sacrificing brain that can...and many times does, jeopardizes the whole journey.
Each brain has their place and I believe we need all three. The challenge is finding that balance. Coming to grips with the needs of each and establishing a truce so that all can function and coexist.
The truth is,...I'm trying to figure out how to lock the little buggers in a closet until I'm done with my book.
QUESTION: Do you also have three brains? Does it matter if you’re a writer??
Hit the ‘Leave a Comment’ button and join the conversation, cause I’m waiting!
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You broke these down well. My goal is to learn how to get them to shut up so I can sleep at night!