On The Importance of Daydreaming for Writers

Where Fleur does absolutely no writing, and that's okay.

When I was a kid, I was a big daydreamer. I could spend whole afternoons off in my own world, either with my nose in a book, listening to music, or just playing in my room. Once, I was so caught up in my own dream world that I rode my bicycle into a light post. These truly are Dutch people problems…

Everything turned out okay, other than some minor bicycle fixes and an injured bit of pride for young Fleur.

But you get the idea: I was a happy introvert. And it made me think, after reading Gabino Iglesias’ great post on hustle culture and how sometimes writing means taking your dog for a walk or drinking coffee. How important it is to just do… Nothing.

Much like wildlife, birds and butterflies, ideas come to you when you sit very still. Or when you go for a walk, take a drive, whatever.

Here I am in the orange sweatshirt (circa 1985) with my bicycle.

This past week, I did write several guest blog posts for the SCBWI blog (you can read these in the coming weeks), but when it came to my Big WWII Novel, I had to let the dust settle. And that’s okay.

Also, I was still fighting a bit of a cold and felt a little sorry for myself. After back-to-back-to-back book events and conference, I had to take a minute to recoup.

Where I’ve Been and Where I’m Going

Currently, I plan on working on my yard, so I’m not going very far… The plan is to turn my yard into a wildlife habitat, partly because it already is one. Wish me luck.

I will be posting on the SCBWI blog on Thursdays, so follow along if you are so inclined.

I taught some classes at Pikes Peak Writers Conference last weekend, despite a pesky Texas-sized cold, and yesterday was able to join SCBWI writer friends at the WOW Children’s Museum in Lafayette, CO. I highly recommend the museum if you have littles and live in Colorado.

I actually managed to take some pictures, mostly because Jennifer Chambliss Bertman reminded me to. I did forget a lot of friends in my photo taking, sadly. We’ll blame it on the lingering cold…

My selfie game has not improved…

Here’s my lovely friend Polly Holyoke, whose new book The Sky King (second in the Skyriders series) is out on Tuesday! We will all be buying that one, of course…

What I’m Writing

After this daydreaming week, I do feel like getting back to my WWII Amsterdam book, filling in sections with scenes I know it needs. Slow and steady still wins the race on this one. I have a list of to-write scenes I hope to complete this month-ish.

I’m also hoping to get back to my non-fiction writing/craft book this month, though that may have to wait a week…

What I’m Watching

I watched We Were the Lucky Ones on Hulu, since I’m on a WWII kick. It’s a true (or inspired at least) story of this Polish Jewish family and their journey back to each other. Heartbreaking and a fascinating, largely because most Jewish families were not so fortunate in WWII… Hence the title, I suppose. I recommend it if you like a good family saga. And shame on me for not reading the book first. I must remedy that…

I’m also watching Under the Bridge (Hulu in the U.S.), patiently awaiting each episode’s weekly release like it’s 1995. Juicy, and such a creepy study of mean girls.

What I’m Reading

I was lucky enough to read an early copy of Malia Maunakea’s Lei and the Invisible Island, the second book in her middle-grade Lei series that is out in June. It’s so well-written and absorbing, I highly recommend it for your kid reader and you. The Hawaiian culture made me feel like I was on a mental vacation…

Your Weekly Floof

I stumbled across this baby Floof picture from 8 years ago. As you can see, she was already full of Floof (c)attitude…

Photo credit goes to my daughter.