If you need me, I’ll be at the bar…
My next book release is delayed because I’m spending too much time at the bar.
I admit it:�� Instead of working diligently on my next book, I’m spending my evenings and weekends at the bar.�� It’s a really cool place where something is always happening.�� The waitress is always friendly and has a big smile on her face (even though she sometimes makes weird facial expressions).�� She has a secret – and I happen to know what it is – and then there’s the owner of the bar…he’s interesting in a whole other way, kinda the strong, silent type but a real stand-up guy (even though he has lousy taste in women).�� The bar is a place where I’m happy; a place I can go to forget the everyday worries and just lose myself in the atmosphere and drama.�� I get so involved there that I spend the hours when I can’t be there thinking about how much I just want to go back to the bar and become oblivious to the annoying details of everyday life.
The bar I hang out at these days is Merlotte’s and my favorite waitress, Sookie, always helps me take my mind off my own troubles.�� Sam (the owner) makes me feel like somehow, everything’s going to turn out okay – even though the road might be a little rocky.�� Merlotte’s is home because I know everyone and even when I want to smack Sookie for putting up with Eric’s nonsense, I trust her judgment and keep my mouth closed (she knows I’m thinking it, anyway).
At least four years ago, I read the first eight or nine books in Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series.�� I read them all – one right after another – during the summer.�� I clearly remember lying on my couch with the air-conditioning blasting and being totally engrossed in the stories.�� I didn’t like Bill Compton, I really adored Gran, and I felt so bad for Jason that I ripped into the next book just to make sure he’d be okay.
Then I had to wait for the next book and…well, I kinda got distracted hanging out with my new friends, Rachel Morgan and her sidekick Jenks.�� Then I lost touch with them when I met Jane Yellowrock because she was there for me when I beside myself with worry over someone I love very much.�� Jane came to the hospital with me every day and she took my mind off of things I had no control over.�� Jane told me about her whole life – one book after the other – while I waited for things to get better and she was my respite and escape when things were too scary in the real world.
Jane went on vacation for a while (the next book hadn’t been released yet) so Sookie and I renewed our friendship and I’ve been spending all my free time with her and ignoring my other friends – Arienne, Caly, and my new friend Hope.�� As bad as I feel for ignoring them, Sook has things going on and I need to know how it will all turn out.
That’s the thing about books:�� once you’re hooked, you’re in for the long haul.�� I might put off reading the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse series just because I know I don’t want it to end (really, it ended a while ago, but I was busy with Arienne so I’m a bit behind the times).
My point is this:�� my writing has grown out of my deep love for the escape books have always provided me.�� Just like people, the characters sometimes disappoint me, but in the hands of a skilled author, that disappointment turns into something I can relate to.�� For instance, I really want Sookie to tell Eric off – but she’s being a little passive-aggressive about the whole situation right now.�� I want to smack her until I think about it and realize (with some shame) that I have approached similar situations in exactly the same fashion.
That’s the great thing about a good story.�� The lines between reality and fiction blur.�� I know Arienne and Hope miss me, but for now, I really need to get back to the bar.�� Not only do I have friends there, but they’re people who can teach me something – and maybe Arienne and Hope can benefit from those lessons.
Filed under: #amwriting, Books are friends, escape reading, good books, Great Holiday Reads, Sookie Stackhouse, southern vampires Tagged: #am writing, Author, escape into books, good books, indie author, reader, Urban fantasy
