The Living Are a Writer's Window of Opportunity
by Arleen M. Kaptur

When you choose writing as your life's desire, you accept
a certain lifestyle. This lifestyle can be demanding, and it
can infringe on your rights to leisure activity, or sleep-in
mornings.

There is a drive as a writer that you cannot contain. You
come up with an idea in the middle of the night and the
fact that you have to sleep till dawn irks you no end. You
would rather get up, turn on that computer, and type away.
But yes, there are family members to consider and even
a job that requires your stamina (with sleep) to be ready
for a busy shift.

One other aspect of writing is that there will never be enough
time to interview and question every person you think is
absolutely necessary for your survival. They come in all
shapes, sizes, and ages, and they prey on your mind day
and night. Deep inside your writing soul, you know that they
hold the key to just the right information. Without their input
you will not find peace. But life gets in the way, time is ticking,
and many other pursuits make demands on you.

Just remember an old, old saying that my grandmother used
to say to me when we visited the old cemetery where many of
the people she knew were now at rest. This cemetery was a
library buried. What she meant with her broken English and her
scarf flapping in the wind that always blew at this place of repose
was that everyone had a story to tell, historical details that they
could recall because they lived them, and anecdotes that would
fill books until the end of time. People are walking libraries.
They have family history, heritage, and insights. Their opinions
while not necessarily yours are insights into the minds of human
beings all criss-crossed with emotions, and dreams. Some will
bring you to tears with love lost, and opportunities left behind.
Others will anger you with prejudice and perplexities, but you still
know that now you have become more tolerant because now
you have heard "the other side."

If there was one bit of advise that should be blazen on the foreheads
of every serious author is this "Listen to people, ask quesitons, and
don't let their secrets and their first-hand knowledge be buried along
with their physical bodies." When you understand this keynote of
being an author, you will find that your endeavors will even amaze you
with the information, insights, and confidence that you never realized
you had. Don't let the opportunity pass you by to shake hands with
a man who remembers the war, or a woman whose unique style of
speech leaves you spellbound. There is not a soul out there in this
whole world who is not wearing a sign that reads "I am someone
and I have something to say." Thiese gems may just be the secret
to your next novel or make you the writer with that "certain" something
that no one can put their finger on. You are "different" because
when you step into a cemetery in your heart and soul you cry because
so much of life is underground, and can never be retrieved. You go there
to remind yourself of your quest in life - to know, understand, and share
knowledge and people with the whole world. You stand there promising
once again to try and reach out, take the time, and write it down.
You are a writer - make the sacrifice and reap the rewards.
©Arleen M. Kaptur
May, 2007