One of the challenges of being a writer is the difficulty of simply sitting and enjoying the moment. The body begins to relax while the brain goes off into wild directions creating a million different ‘what if’ scenarios.
Sitting with friends on 90 Mile Beach a few months ago I enjoy the sunshine, good company, the sound of breakers making their way up the sand towards us. I watch Jack preparing his rod, and Heather as she bends to dig in the sand for pipi to be used for bait.
Apart from a slight chill in the breeze – it is early September – the sun warms me and there goes my imagination. What if a wave goes into overdrive? Surely it could reach me in moments. Where would I run? Would I have time? My heart beats fast as this scenario plays out in my head.
What would happen to Heather standing in the shallows? If I glance up and she’s not there does this mean a rogue sea monster has swept her away? Could a Medusa-like creature be even now lurking under those white caps surging forward? Perhaps the roaring, crashing, splashing, hides the engines of alien spacecraft preparing to launch an attack on unsuspecting earthlings?
Anything is possible in my head, except this tranquil day.
Jack sets up his surfcaster and Heather brings up a heavy bucket of pipi and seawater to sit in the shade of the truck. Jack wades hip-deep, then waist-deep; his gear protects him somewhat from water – but would it protect him if Jaws is out there?
He holds the rod against a shoulder – the line streams out behind him as he returns to the metal holder punched deep into the wet sand.
We have lunch. Ordinary sandwiches. It’s an ordinary day. An ordinary, wonderful day.
Sometimes I wonder if I have created a monster – a monster that I cannot control. Originally, The Thousandth Way Chronicles was to be a trilogy. Then Book Four happened. Then a couple of novellas appeared to fit in-between the main books. My kind friends at Alphabyte have created a wall chart for me with the colour scheme for the Chronicles’ covers. Perhaps somewhat enthusiastically, they have provided me with six colour themes … now, thanks to a clever grandson, they all have titles. What does this mean?
What is this monster doing in my study?
Well, there certainly won’t be any room for those beach-type scenarios if you are to fill those other five covers up Leena. Come to think of it, probably not any room for the beach full stop.
But I know you enjoy your writing and I am sure the monster in the study will bring great joy. Liz
Fortunately, I do lots of my thinking as I walk along the beach, Liz, so I guess I will be able to make the excuse to wander down there often as possible. I will need to, so I can feed that monster!