Struggling into the Spotlight

Writers are by nature solitary creatures. We live within the fantasies of our minds, making friends with imaginary people. Existing in a world you’ll never see.  It is what makes us what we are. We are Gods inside our own worlds, worlds in which we can spend decades, alone and never lonely, because we are surrounded by the people inside of our minds.

It is our solitude, our separation from this world that allows us to create with utter abandon in the landscape of our mind. It is something we are applauded for, something we are encouraged to nurture so we can bring to life worlds that only exist inside of us. It is what makes us writers, uniquely capable of sculpting worlds.

And then you write your first book – or fortieth – and are ready to take that next step. A step back into the mortal world to share the fruits of your creation, this world that you have sacrificed a social life for, that you have breathed and dreamed for months or even years and you find this solitude and isolated life is your enemy.

All you want to do is share  your story, introduce this world to your world. But how? You are a writer, not a performer, the limelight does not call to you. You want to share but how do you turn the spot light onto yourself when your entire life has been lived in the shadows of your dreams?

This is the question I ask myself. I’ve been writing for over thirty years. I’m a naturally shy person, more comfortable on the edges of a crowd then standing in the center ring. And yet…I need to step out of the shadows so I can give the final breath of life to my characters, to these stories that have consumed my waking and dreaming mind for decades.

How? How do I change the innate structure of my being so the world can read what I have written? How do I make you read my words when I’m afraid to look you in the eye?

And thus is the challenge of the writer…At least, this writer.