On Writing: Imaginary Friends

I have imaginary friends! There it goes, I say it aloud and I am proud!

I have many imaginary friends.

My first one was Natalie Hartt who was scared and confused about her past. I had to follow her around and ask her a million questions about her life and personality, but she stubbornly refused to cooperate. I sweated a lot in order to make her share her thoughts with me, but in the end I won! She was a pain in the ass though, I'm telling you.

It was hard to figure her out because I didn't have a friend like her before. But her arrival in my mind created what we call a ripple effect since more imaginary friends made an appearance too. More like paying me a visit. Like they were waiting for the right moment to come a knock on my imaginary door. 

Each one of them had a story, a life that they wanted to share with the world, like carrying their luggage. One by one came closer and dropped them by my feet. So I suddenly found myself surrounded by an ocean of luggage, small or big, dark or colorful. What was I supposed to do with those luggage?

I carefully examined each and every one of them. Some were boring old luggage but some made a click in my mind, activating a switch that caused my brain to speed. And I saw the potential of a story. Then I knew that each and every one of those luggage should be cherished and treated with love so I didn't discard the ones that didn't click. I stored them in the corner and forgot about them. 

One day I may discover a secret pocket.

Once those imaginary friends come to your life, I think there are only two options. Either you close the door and let voices die down, or you start chatting with them, trying to get to know them better until you realize that you can no longer live without imaginary friends who startle you in the middle of the night or whisper their secrets to your ear.

I pretended not to be home for years and they kept knocking, but the sound was low and almost silent since I didn't really pay attention. But then Natalie came pounding and I knew I could not ignore the sound anymore.

I am more than glad that I listened to her.

So, an imaginary friend suddenly appear out of nowhere, be sure to hear him out. Give him a cookie if necessary to keep him there. I would say tie him to a chair, but then I don't know what he might do to you. Do anything, but don't sent him away!