For the last two nights I’ve written until time for bed. Which you might be saying, that’s good, you’re getting in writing time. But there’s a problem. I have a couple of characters that are pulling at my sleep strings. As soon as I put my laptop down and head to bed my mind wonders to them.
Monday night I laid down and picked up my Kindle to read a little before bed. Of course my eyes got heavy and not from boredom with my reading selection, it’s really good, but I was tired. So I turned out the light and lay my head on the pillow with a contented sigh. The problem started at that moment of contentment. The characters in my pirate romance were telling me to get up.
I quickly tried to push them to the back of my brain. I do run a busy accounting business and sleep is something I need. But they were persistant. I rolled to my other side and tried again, but guess what, they were on that side too. Finally about an hour later and really wound up sheets I got up. You’d think I would pick up my laptop, but I refused to give in to the characters demands.
I carried my Kindle to the couch and turned on the lamp beside me. I situated myself comfortably in the corner of the couch and settled in to read until I could go to sleep. The characters kept up at the needling. I knew that if I gave in to them I’d be up the rest of the night writing.
Have you ever wondered if your characters haunt you? Well, I’m here to tell you they do. Every time I would get into my book a noise would happen in the room that I couldn’t explain. One time something shifted in the corner and I almost jumped off the couch. I turned toward said corner and frowned. I refused to answer their call.
Then it happened again last night, but this time I refused to give in. I tossed and turned. The good thing that came out of last night’s insomnia trip was I rewrote one of the scenes in my head. This morning I changed it and was pleasantly surprised with the results. The chapter flowed so much better with the changes. SO maybe the insomnia was worth it. But of course my tired, blood shot eyes this morning don’t think so. I so need a nap, but I’m not going to tell my characters, hopefully they’re tired from their constant nudging.
As always, good writing and May God Bless You…
Stephanie Hurt - Romance Author 
Oh poor you, you need to ask them to shut up so you can sleep!
I know. Hopefully tonight they’ll calm down and let me sleep. LOL…
I can totally understand…this was me last night, and now today while I am (supposed to be) working. I gave in though, at least enough to jot down what was going through my head in the notebook I keep on my nightstand for this very reason. They got quieter after that, but still didn’t entirely leave me alone. They don’t seem to understand the concept of sleep
But yay for good revisions coming out of it!
Exactly. I guess as a writer I should be glad that the characters like to hang around. But it’s true, good revisions sometimes come out of it.
I write almost all of my posts at night. My mind just can’t seem to rest!
I know. My mind seems to be on overdrive most of the time.