Too Many Words In My Head

 

Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

So, you all know that I’m working on Wife Unexpected, the fourth book in the Wives of Bravado County series, and I open that file every weekday to add more words to the story, but here’s what happened.

I’m going along, writing, deleting, rewording, trying again when all of a sudden, another character’s voice pops into my head. Now, I’ve been fully immersed in Faith and Tysen, hearing them talk to me (most times…sometimes they don’t say anything and I’m left trying to figure out what they want) but this was a different voice. Low and deep, kinda rumbling, a little on the hoarse side, but very pleasant…and persistent. Oh my gosh! So persistent!

"Write me!”

“Tell my story!”

Because I didn’t recognize this voice (no, hearing voices doesn’t  scare me because I hear the voices of my characters all the time. I’m not sure if other writers do. Maybe it’s just me.), I tried to ignore it. That didn’t work because it just became more insistent. And louder.

What was I to do? 

I was intrigued (and a little annoyed) by this persistent voice so I started asking it questions. You know—like who are you? Why are you talking to me NOW, when I’m knee-deep in another story? What do you want?

He just kept repeating ‘tell my story’.

“Well, I can’t tell your story if you don’t tell me who you are.”

Yes, I said this out loud. It was a good thing no one else in the house was awake, just the dogs, who are used to hearing me talk to myself.

“Tell my story,” came the answer again.

So here I am, sitting at my computer at 4:30 in the morning, arguing with a voice inside my head (and yes, talking to myself).

“Who are you?”

I hear laughter and that lovely voice says “Ryland Harper.”

Ryland Harper. Ryland Harper. I know that name (and I should because I name all my characters) and then it hits me, like a cast-iron skillet upside my head. He’s the hero in Mrs. Marlowe and The Monday Man, the fifth story in the Matchmaker Mischief series. Holy cow! I haven’t even written the fourth story yet!

“Why are you here now, Ryland?” I asked (the dog, my big girl, lifts her head from the futon and just stares at me, blinking her beautiful and confused brown eyes.) “You know I’m not ready for you yet.”

“Don’t care. You gotta write my words before you forget.”

And so I did. Easiest (and fastest) 900 words I’ve ever written (in less than an hour because I have limited time in the morning).

Ryland was happy and quieted because he’d gotten his way, but not before telling me he’d be back and I was able to get back to Tysen and Faith.

I guess it pays to listen to the voices in your head even if you’re not ready for them.  

And that’s all for me. Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie