I used to be one of those people who was never, and I mean NEVER, without something to read. If I didn’t have a book handy I’d read a magazine, a newspaper, an encyclopedia, a label, or even someone’s t-shirt.
I would read several books at the same time. I’d have one book in the bedroom for late night reading, another in the living room for those rare spare moments, and a third in my purse for the times I had to wait for my kids after school or a sport.
And okay, I’ll admit it. I can read upside down. Though I tried not to do it, ’cause other people do have a right to their privacy, after all.
Long story short, I was obsessed with reading.
But no more. The obsession is gone. I now catagorise myself as a casual reader.
That ravenous hunger for the written word – the one that once made me stay up all night to read five books, just because – is gone.
Pouf!
Before you congratulate me on getting my obsession under control I probably should let you in on a secret. Well, it’s more like a confession.
Sigh.
Here goes. I didn’t so much as get my reading obsession under control as I switched it. I no longer have the insatiable craving to read because I have the insatiable craving to write.
Now I’m the person who is never, and I mean NEVER, without a writing project.
Phew! It felt good to get that off my chest!
In some ways it’s easier. I can do a lot of the prewriting anywhere. I don’t really need pen and paper to plot a story or explore a character’s personality traits. Much of that can be done in my head while I’m in line at the grocery store, or listening to a friend’s overlong, boring story about…
What?
Oh, no! Of course I’m not talking about you! I’d never zone out while listening to one of YOUR stories. I promise. See, my eyes aren’t glazed over even the tiniest bit.
Anyway, the strange thing is that I’m the same type of writer as I was a reader. I always have multiple projects going the same time.
Well, I guess if I have to be obsessed with something…